Friday night, May 18, 2012 — I’m sitting in my hotel room listening to “American Pickers” while my wife reads a book. We spent the day at Hamvention, and had a great time! The only problem was there was never enough time to get around it all.
My wife convinced me to reserve a mobility scooter for the event, and I’m thankful I did — while it was a pain in the ass navigating inside, it sure took the stress out of walking it all.
One of the first destinations I set was the Vibroplex booth. It was a beautiful Friday and the guys parking cars at Salem Mall told us the crowd today was way ahead of the last few years. Inside aisles were full!
I found Scott Robbins busy making a sale while two other guys were talking to others at the booth. They had just about every Vibroplex model on display hooked up to what looked like two dozen code practice oscillators of every make, model and size.
I got to see the Vibrocube in person — both the “standard” version and the not-yet posted on the website “Deluxe” version. The deluxe one has a chrome base and all chrome upper parts — its an excellent looking key, and while chunky, it certainly looks balanced. The large paddles have a good feel to them, and I’m thinking I could use one and enjoy it. I’m still not crazy about the painted upper parts on the “standard” Vibrocube, but I wouldn’t sell it if I got one for my birthday (ahem!).
I got a chance to look at the Vibroplex keys with the new Knoxville nameplates too. I don’t know how well they will hold up over time, but the plates all look fine … different from the old brass ones, but it wouldn’t stop me from buying a key.
I had a chance to see the 100th Anniversary Vibroplex Original with the Knoxville plate, and with what appears to be the new “Knoxville” finish on the base. Oh, its still black with gold carriage striping, but the black finish is different from what the ones sold under Vibroplex owner Mitch W4OA. The earlier black finish is semi-gloss; the finish on the 100th Anniversary key at the Vibroplex booth was a much duller black, almost a matte or satin finish. The finish looked like it would be more difficult to scratch and scuff, which is a good thing. The earlier black finish was more fragile, or at least that’s what I’ve heard.
My wife took my photo with Scott, which I hope turned out. While I was talking with him, I asked him about his plans to bring back the Lightning Bug key. He kind of hemmed and hawed about it, just saying he would love to, but he just hasn’t gotten around to it yet. Apparently there’s still some work to do to get parts produced, but he did say it was still something he wanted to do. I told Scott that my one request is that when he does bring back the Lightning Bug he offer it in the same finish (weathered black with gold pinstriping) as the 100th Anniversary bug.
I didn’t get my photo of the “new finish” 100th Anniversary key, but I decided today that I’ve got to have a “Knoxville”-made 100th Anniversary bug. What strikes me funny is the fact that the 100th Anniversary key is only $25 more than the standard, modern black textured finish. Who wouldn’t prefer the classic pre-war finish over the modern one?? I probably should have asked Scott if he had a special deal for hamfest purchases.
I ran into a bunch of folks from home, and it was great to see them among the throngs of people. I’m so accustomed to going to hamfests and knowing familiar faces that I was a little off my game because I didn’t know a damn soul when I walked in the doors. I spent quite a bit of time at the ARRL Expo, ran into a bunch of folks there I knew via the League and from home. The DIY stage had some excellent presentations.
YAESU FTDX-3000. I didn’t get around all of Hara inside, I tried to be picky about where I went. I made it a point to stop by the Yaesu booth, and saw my next radio, the FTDX-3000. I’m not sure where in the price spectrum this rig will fit; I haven’t really reviewed he spec sheet closely, but I love the look of it. I don’t know when they’ll have it ready to release, but I’m goingto watch it closely. I know Kenwood has their new rig, the TS-990, but I didn’t get by their booth. I don’t know exactly why, but the look of the TS-990 doesn’t turn me on.
I pushed my way to the Ten Tec booth to get a good look at their dynamic retro-look microphone. It looks nice — and I would love to get one for my shack. We’ll see. One favorable thing on the mic is that even my wife thought it was attractive.
I saw a several radios I would love to take home, but the truth is I didn’t have a place to put them at home. But another good sign was that my wife said once she gets her kitchen completed I have the green light to get something for the shack. She didn’t define the “something” and neither did I … it might be a Hallicrafters SX-101A/HT32A station or a FTDX-3000.
I did not run across the noted key collectors, most of whom I’m sure where there. I only saw a couple of keys for sale while taking our tour of the boneyard, and the prices were nothing to write home about. I really didn’t expect to find any bargains on keys anyway.
It’s good to be home tonight, with dreams of Morse code keys dancing in my head … g’night!