View Full Version : Those Vibroplex Bugs
I've heard lots of hams, mostly older fellows, talk about how much they love to send CW with a Vibroplex semi automatic "bug." #I don't doubt that they enjoy sending with this device, but does anyone really enjoy trying to copy one?
Questions:
1) Are these keys even capable of sending CW with the correct dot-dash duration ratio?
2) Am I noticing this only because a few ops don't know how to use their key, and the rest of the bug users are doing just fine?
3) Is it right to not answer a CQ because you don't care to copy the other guy's fist?
This is not a rant. #Just wondering what others think. #I don't hear as many of these "bug" keyers as I used to, but I know some guys just swear by them, and others swear at them.
Steve
W9HC
ke5wj
08-05-2002, 11:32 PM
The sound of a good fist on a bug (Vibroplex or other) is nice, but you are right, you don't hear too many good ones any more. Like anything else it takes practice.
1) Yes, the dash length depends on the person sending and the dot length depends on the adjustment. It takes practice.
2) I don't know who you are listening to, but I don't hear many bugs on the air. Fewer sideswipers, which were also somewhat popular a long time ago.
3) It's OK to not answer a CQ for any reason, bad fist, weak signal, don't feel like chatting, etc.
That's my opinion, for what it's worth.
73,
W5ATX
08-06-2002, 01:40 AM
I love my bug. I tend to think I send fairly well with it, but I don't use it much anymore either. To err on the safe side, I'd probably use my keyer. But the quality of sending depends on the operator.
Once upon a time I had a 9mm pistol that was not an inherently safe weapon. I used to call it "less idiot-proof" than most weapons. Of course all firearms are potentially very dangerous, but some are even more likely to cause accidental harm in the hands of the less intelligent. And I think the bug is the same thing. It takes time, practice, and effort to use correctly. It's a gadget that is most easily operated improperly, the operator left to his own devices. Too many folks should not be using bugs yet who continue to do so. Once upon a time the "Lake Erie swing" was considered a fairly harmless, if not even a bit melodic, style. Now I wouldn't care to copy it either.
During WW2, the radio intercept operators on both sides were able to identify individual senders of cw on the air. German U-Boats were particularly well tracked in this way. The use of the bug was the prime reason. Of course individual straight key styles are different too, and even keyers to a lesser degree. But the bug is just . . . so individual sounding.
Are you willing to take the time to get good at using it? If so, then by all means go for it. It'll be a lot of fun. But if not, then please, leave it in the curio cabinet (where my ww2 vintage bug is right now. It was a gift from my elmer who used it at US Navy 90 Church St NYC radio center for the duration of WW2.)
Good luck and 73,
Chris
KB9YFI
08-06-2002, 01:49 AM
Please elaborate on this "less than safe 9mm" What was the make and model number and what, in your opinion, made it inherently unsafe? I have been in the shooting sports my whole life and have met very few weapons made by established companies that were unsafe when standard safe gun-handling practices were employed. If this gun where truly unsafe you should have sent it back to the manufacturer to have it upgraded. With today's product liability laws, very few firearm manufacturers will turn out an unsafe product. The testing is rigorous just for that purpose. If a defect is found they bend backwards to recall and fix any problems before they incur a loss which would hurt business and perhaps even cause insolvency or uninsurability. Perhaps the "danger" you perceived was not in the weapon itself but your unfamiliarity with the safe handling practices and special precautions inherent with that particular model. I'm waiting with baited breath for the details.
Jim - KB9YFI
n0xas
08-06-2002, 03:23 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB9YFI @ Aug. 05 2002,20:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">#I'm waiting with baited breath for the details.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
What, did you swallow some sardines?
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
KB1GYQ
08-06-2002, 04:12 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB9YFI @ Aug. 05 2002,21:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">"less than safe 9mm"[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I once saw a gun with the following instructions: 1) put on safety 2) aim 3) release safety 4) fire. Talk about a bad idea... the action of taking off a "safety" will get you way off target.
The biggest thing that makes guns unsafe is restricting access such that illegal acquisition and use is easier than legal.
KB9YFI
08-06-2002, 04:28 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KB1GYQ @ Aug. 05 2002,23:12)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">The biggest thing that makes guns unsafe is restricting access such that illegal acquisition and use is easier than legal.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
That should be engraved on the steps of the Supreme Court of the United States of America.
Beautifully said my dear man!
WB2RJR
08-06-2002, 02:06 PM
Yes,
You can sent good standard code with a bug or you can send Lake Erie Swing. Having grown up just 3 miles from Lake Erie I actually like Lake Erie Swing....try sending my old call for 27 years, WB2RJR, on a bug with a little swing and you'll see why. It is like music.
Ever been on the air in a qso at 30 wpm and get the feeling that you are talking to a machine? You know everything is just too perfect. You can check if you have a bug by sending some questions with some swing, people can copy this, machines have trouble. If suddenly it's QRM, QRN, QSB and have to QRT, you know the answer.
73, Marty K7RKR (ex kg0ko, just got tired of sending that 0 and o, and being called kgok0, kgoko, and kg0k0)
I've used a Vibroplex bug for 29 of my 30 years of hamming... used to be, everybody used one!
For someone just getting into ham, I'd recommend a keyer. Unfortunately, everyone sounds exactly the same on a keyer. Yes, "unfortunately".
For contests, my computer sends perfect code for me.
For regular QSOs, I use my bug which doesn't sound like a keyer or a computer but I think it sounds fine. The critical thing is to learn to adjust your bug correctly, this is actually pretty hard to do! The very slowest you can send with a bug is 20WPM, most people have the dits set for 45WPM and send the dashes at 25WPM -- that's why they don't sound good. I've been guilty of this myself.
So, buy a keyer and sound like everyone else. It's what I would do if I were learning CW now. I'm just thrilled anyone even wants to learn CW anymore, frankly.
73, Steve N4SL
WB2WIK
08-06-2002, 04:58 PM
I don't answer anyone whose sending is difficult or painful to decipher, so that pretty much rules out my working about 90% of all "bug" users.
The bad "bug" sending is not new, it's been with us as long as I've been a ham, which is 37 years now. The old timers who couldn't send properly with them back then are only older now, and got much worse.
I used Vibroplex bugs in 1965-1966 and got pretty good with them, at about 40wpm. The moment I laid my hands on an old Hallicrafters "TO" electronic keyer and paddle, I sold the bugs and never intend to use one, again. Why expend more effort to sound not as good? Makes no sense to me. Kind of like "yelling" when a P.A. system is available.
WB2WIK/6
W5ATX
08-07-2002, 01:53 AM
YFI -
The weapon in question was a Heckler and Koch P7M8 - known as the squeeze cocker. #Yes, with proper training it was perfectly safe. #I consider myself fairly well trained, having carried a firearm of one sort or another for the past 22 years. #But the P7 is a weapon designed for professionals (the wermacht to be exact) and adopted over the past 20 years by a variety of law enforcement agencies. #Safety issues have always cropped up with the P7. #
The main "glitch" is that if the trigger is pulled (a major error, but one that apparently happens fairly often, even on the range) the weapon of course will not fire. #If the trigger is pulled THEN the weapon is squeezed hard enough to #### (as when drawing from a holster), the weapon will fire upon cocking. #
The above scenario was corrected to a degree by new training. #Yet under stress, some folks will still make that mistake and shoot themselves in the foot. # And that is why I called it "less than safe." #In retrospect, the term "less idiotproof than others" (no firearm is idiotproof, but the P7 is particularly quick to bite) is a better description. #
The P7 happens to be an outstanding weapon, one that I particularly enjoy owning. #And in years of having them, I have yet to have a negligent discharge. #And I've fired a LOT of rounds through mine. In fact, I've NEVER had a negligent discharge. #But maybe I'm more careful than others, I don't know. #What I do know is this weapon, without careful training, a LOT of rangetime, and a healthy dose of respect, will bite the user more quickly than many other weapons. #
Is it "unsafe?" #No, not if properly handled. #Again, for the P7, proper handling involves a bit more care I think. #If you've never handled one, you cannot fully appreciate what I'm saying. #If you have, then you know. #
73
Chris
The 'BUG' - music to the ears..
(old phart voice inflection starts here) "when I was first introduced to CW you were taught 'Learn to send it RIGHT before you send it FAST!'. #They taught me to hold the straight key correctly and get the rhythm down. As I did.. my speed naturally progressed. I wasn't always clean-sounding, but I my mentors (old CW pros) thought it was acceptable, and that was good enough for me to continue trying.
Later, I got a 'bug'. Again the admonition. 'LEARN TO SEND IT RIGHT BEFORE YOU SEND IT FAST!'. I practiced and got competent enough to have my mentor tell me 'I'd copy your fist. No problem!'.
On to the air I went. Once over the nervousness, the fun began. I began to recognize other 'bug' fists AND had folks recognize me. Even in the middle of a Q, some of them would send a short 'HI CR!' (my shorthand sign) without having copied who I was. #Fun!
(OLD PHART VOICE OFF. NORMAL VOICE ON) :-)
I went into the commercial CW biz (Merchant Marine both ship and shore side.) EVERY ONE used a bug. #You weren't considered a 'pro' unless you could use a 'bug' AND the old reliable straight key. #A 'fist' was something discussed as was the varying opinions on proper adjustments, proper weighting, andthe like.
Trust me! It was as heated a debate then as the currently debated topics are now. #Bug vs straight key. Bug vs keyer. #keying weighting vs 3:1 ratio. #etc..etc.. #If the Internet had been around then, you'd have had as much raging controversy as we do now, here on QRZ.
But.. through it all. the sound of a well-manipulated bug -even with a swing, or a weighted ratio, or a gentlevariation on the perfect 3:1, is fun to listen to and most pleasant.
73
Chuck K3FT
Still have my trusty two Vibroplexs. ANd yes, evenafter a keyer for many years... I can still swing them like I used to.. Sigh..
W6ECE
08-09-2002, 04:08 PM
They wrote a song about it years ago.
"If it ain't got that SWING, it don't mean a thing."
VA6AW
08-21-2002, 08:40 PM
SWING MUSIC!
Great statement. When I first started in ham radio in the early 70's I used my dads old hand key that he had found at some garage sale? Then I became the proud owner of a BUG.
I used to talk to russians late in the evening and could make 25 wpm with only a few mishaps. These russian guys were absolutely fantastic CW ops and many would reduce their bug speed so I could carry on a converstion with them.
I will never forget the speed these guys could muster and when the aurora was active their signals really began to swing. Wonderful sound. I still listen to code practice from W1AW but can no longer use a bug. Bad artritis in both wrists.
Can still hear the music from those bygone years though.
Long live CW http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
._._. _._
Gary VA6AW http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
W8FAX
08-22-2002, 06:19 PM
I don't think the new bugs are of the quality the older versions were. I have a nice Blue Racer from the 60's and it sends great and stays in adjustment. I sure CANNOT say the same for the Vibroplex I bought at Hamvention last year. Cant get it adjusted correctly, and when I get close, it changes. I will never buy a new one again.
Over the years I have seen all sorts of gizmo's to try and slow down the bug. Extra weights, longer arms, combo's of both, etc. I can't understand why a feller would want to try and do this. The bug is meant for 20 WPM and up. Mechanically changing the thing is like putting a four cyl little motor in a Corvette.
I used to use all four. A bug, straight key, a keyer, and a sideswiper. Nowdays it seems to be harder to switch back and forth. Must be ol' age settin' in. So, don't use the swiper much.
I read something awhile back that said bugs were "dit" generators, and could be used for converting and codeing letters. EX...I's to S's, S's to H's, H's to 5's and many others to unkown symbols.
I suppose the main problem most guys have is they are trying to send 25 WPM with 13 WPM fists. Practice practice. But........like the guy said.....I NEVER could figure out WHY they put a pic of a cockroach on the key, and what DOES it take to make that little red LED on the top light up anyway?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?
W8FAX
08-22-2002, 06:20 PM
I don't think the new bugs are of the quality the older versions were. I have a nice Blue Racer from the 60's and it sends great and stays in adjustment. I sure CANNOT say the same for the Vibroplex I bought at Hamvention last year. Cant get it adjusted correctly, and when I get close, it changes. I will never buy a new one again.
# #Over the years I have seen all sorts of gizmo's to try and slow down the bug. Extra weights, longer arms, combo's of both, etc. I can't understand why a feller would want to try and do this. The bug is meant for 20 WPM and up. Mechanically changing the thing is like putting a four cyl little motor in a Corvette.
# #I used to use all four. A bug, straight key, a keyer, and a sideswiper. Nowdays it seems to be harder to switch back and forth. Must be ol' age settin' in. So, don't use the swiper much.
# #I read something awhile back that said bugs were "dit" generators, and could be used for converting and codeing letters. EX...I's to S's, S's to H's, H's to 5's and many others to unkown symbols.
# #I suppose the main problem most guys have is they are trying to send 25 WPM with 13 WPM fists. Practice practice. But........like the guy said.....I NEVER could figure out WHY they put a pic of a cockroach on the key, and what DOES it take to make that little red LED on the top #light up anyway?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif?
W5ATX
08-22-2002, 09:02 PM
Lake Erie swing - music to my ears - within reason. Ah for the days of my youth . . .
W2JDH
08-24-2002, 12:43 AM
My old Vibroplex "bug" was given to me over 50 years ago by a WWII vet that had hauled it across North Africa with him. I've used it exclusively ever since. Yes, the old bugs DO have a special sound to them. I know mine does, and it's called "soul". Listening to guys with keyers and (worse) keyboards is like listening to Pete Fountain blow the clarinet; absolutely perfect in every way, except no soul. Very old friends have called me during contests and said I was easy to recognize by my sending. They can't understand why I haven't "graduated" to a keyer. I can't think of a better reason to stay with the bug. Walt.
I live about a mile from WSC, a commercial CW coastal station that has since been deactivated, then converted to digital communications. The operators all used Vibroplex bugs and sounded great on the air. However, many of the bugs that I've heard on the ham bands sounded awful. It takes a lot of practice to use one properly and to set the weighting properly. Many hams would just put their bugs on the air without bothering to practice sending, making for some very rough copy. Many years ago, humor columnist John Troster (W6ISQ) defined a bug as a device that "turns Bs into 6s and Hs into 5s". Since my old call was WA2HMH, that, in itself, was enough of a deterrent for me to even think about using a bug at my station! After 34 years, I still use nothing but a good, old-fashioned straight key.
W4FOA
09-03-2002, 05:39 PM
Steve, first of all, I think the reply to your question(s) will depend on the experience and dedication of the
CW operator. #Personally having used CW for 50 years, I love "the Lake Erie swing" of an experienced CW operator on a bug, and I love even more a good "sideswiper" fist. #I'm one of these guys that can copy CW no matter how bad it is sent...it just takes a second or two to latch on to the "dialect", if you will. #I hear very few, very few "bad bug fists", so perhaps it is a matter of individual taste. #In my case, give me a mediocre bug fist over a "plain vanilla, all sound the same, stereotype" keyer or keyboard operator. #The beauty of the bug or sideswiper it that you can actually express yourself, your feelings, etc. in the way you send on a straight key or a bug. #This is done by exaggerated "dahs" or exaggerated "spaces", etc. #Now don't get me wrong, I use a keyer most of the time, but I love to get in a ragchew with another bug or sideswiper. #I have the keyer paddle, bug, sidewiper and handkey all wired in parallel and can switch between anyone of them #at will. #Just my 2 cents. #...and by the way, there are MANY semi automatic
keys, not just Vibroplex....my favorite is my Speed-X I bought when I was 13..73 Tony, W4FOA