I've been negligent about updating my blog lately, but not due to a lack of all things ham radio, nor did I decide to give up eBay! Perish the thought!
I do run hot and cold on watching eBay at times, unless of course there's something specific I'm shopping for.
One of the more interesting ham-related projects I pursued thanks to eBay was a system to print high-res PVC name badges, just like the ones issued by hospitals, workplaces, etc. I put together a system that required about $60 in hardware and another $25 for 100 name badges and about $20 for nice lanyards with the “bulldog” clips attached.
The IDs were given out at the recent state ARES conference that I organized here in town. I have been to state Emergency Management conferences, and they give you a swanky name badge for the event, a badge you keep. Having never been to one of their conferences until this year, I found it a very nice touch. Most hams attend events with a name tag with their name and callsign, but this created a very nice and professional looking name tag for all those who pre-registered for the conference.
My family had been in Chicago up until Wednesday prior to the Saturday conference, so I had to hustle to get the name tags designed and printed in time. They were well-received, and continue to generate questions … “How much did it cost to make them?” … “Did you make them or have someone do it for you?”
It was really simple — using a used Epson printer, new ink cartridges, and the supplies, it was really cheap compared to the standard PVC ID printing systems that run into the thousands. These homebrew IDs may not be as durable, but they're pretty rugged; the ink actually is a dye that isn't a layer on the card, but is in the PVC. You can't scrape the printing off with your finger … to damage the printing, you actually have to gouge the surface of the plastic.
OK, OK, I've babbled on at length over something that is only ham-related … time to get more ham-focused.
EBAY WATCH. For whatever reason, there's been a big uptick in the number of semi-automatic bugs listed for sale on eBay (like I need to buy another bug? LOL!). Now its true that I don't need another bug, but there usually comes a bug that I would like to add for one reason or another — and naturally, who needs to justify the purchase of something they're obsessive about anyway??
One of the interesting things I see in the ham radio section of eBay are the prices that people will set for things when they have no earthly idea what they are actually worth. Some people will try to research the item, others seem to take a stab at setting an opening bid based on the fact that if they had never seen one before it MUST be a rare and valuable artifact.
One of those sorts of sellers listed a Vibroplex Original shown in the photo at right. According to the serial number, its a 1973 key in fair condition that looks “rode hard and put up wet.” The seller writes that its a “vintage, but scarce” collectible that was he beieves “manofactured” in 1964. His opening bid?? $500!
The truth is it will do well to bring $60. It's neither scarce nor collectible, but even at $60 would be a nice key for the guy who wants to own a bug. You can't break the things, and very few non-telegraph office or ex-military bugs made after WWII are every that worn, even from heavy service.
HAMFEST REPORT. On Saturday I traveled to the Southeastern corner of the state for a hamfest, and as always, I have my eyes open for Morse keys as well as boat anchors.
I didn't spend a lot of time scouring the hamfest, but I did find an old “coffin” bug, as sold by Lafayette, Midland, etc. — a Japanese bug with a clear plastic cover, single paddle. These keys are excellent performers and hold their adjustments really well. But this “coffin” bug had some major issues — the material the lever is made of is a very fragile plastic that shatters when it breaks, and the key's pivot point inside the case had been shattered, either by accident or design.
I have had to piece together the shards of plastic and recreate that paddle lever in more than one of these coffin bugs, and I didn't particularly want another one as a project — especially when there didn't seem to be any pieces left to put back together. There was no price on the key as it sat at the table, and it would have to be damn near free before I would have taken it.
The other key I saw a Bencher BY-1 paddle. The ubiquitous Bencher paddle! Without a doubt the most sold and used paddle … but not in my shack of late.
The Bencher takes a light touch, and years ago I was very good with it; I've gotten accustomed to using bugs that take a heavier touch, and my sending with the Bencher gets pretty crappy. Maybe I shouldn't blame the key, it may just be my crappy sending!
At any rate, this bencher was in reasonably good shape, though it appeared to have spent the last 25 years in a tobacco haze; the cigarette smoke seemed palpable on the base, and the once-clear paddles were a smoky tobacoo-brown. I still have my original Bencher, plus a second one that's part of an MFJ keyer thingie, so I'm set on Bencher keys.
I saw a couple of straight keys — J-38, J-37s, etc., none of which I wanted or needed. In fact, instead of writing about CW keys in this space, I should be putting the ones I have over on the desk on the air.
Lunch is calling me, so its time to sign off for now. 73 es CUL … SK