Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020
Its been about a week since my last update, and I thought it is time to update my latest CW exploits.
I’ve added a couple of new-to-me audio filters and a couple of CW keys. We’ll start with the CW keys.
EDDYSTONE BUG. The Eddystone Bug I purchased in October finally arrived in the past few days. The key is mostly complete; it is missing the main screw that secures the beetle shell-like cover. The key is missing the switch and the contact straps that connect the dot and dash contacts, and the rubber grommet on the damper.
Other than the missing parts, the key is functional; there’s several rather odd splashes of solder on parts of the key. The cover has considerable paint loss, as well as some paint loss on the base. My plan is to refinish the cover and remove the solder splashes.
CODE WARRIOR JR. CHINESE CLONE. This key recently showed up on eBay from several sellers in China. The key is basically a close of the Vibroplex Code Warrior Jr with some important differences.
The base of the key is sold brass and thicker than the base on the Vibroplex key. The key is fashioned of sold brass and polished to a mirror finish. The key levers are shaped similar to the Code Warrior, though the levers are noticeably thicker and presumably less prone to getting bent.
The keys use the same magnetic lever return as does the Code Warrior Jr. And while it sells for about the same price as the Code Warrior Jr., the key includes both wooden and acrylic paddles.
One nice improvement compared to the Vibroplex key is how the key connects to your rig. The brass base uses a built-in 2.5mm stereo jack; a suitable cable is included with the key. The only hitch I ran into with the key and its connection system was that in using it with my MFJ keyer, the dit and dah contacts were backwards. And unfortunately, the MFJ keyer doesn’t have a button or switch to reverse the contacts — a feature I should really add to my MFJ-407 keyer. But without a way to switch the contacts, I had to remove the cover from the bottom of the key and reverse the wiring and resolder the wires. Of course, the problem is not really a “problem” if you are using a modern rig’s built-in keyer — all of them today can reverse those contacts in a menu system.
a non-skid pad and a
2.5 mm connector cable.
It still seems like a simple thing to add a switch to reverse the contacts if your paddle.
The clone paddle does not come with feet; but it does come with a non-skid pad the key sits on. Despite my concerns with how well the pad would work, it did an impressive job of keeping the key in one place.
My plan tonight was to use the clone paddle when checking in on my CW traffic net, but I could not; the band was stretched out so much I could barely hear the NCS.
If you check the photos of the Code Warrior clone, check the magnetic return adjustment; it comes with the adjustment nearly touching the magnet in the center block, which makes the levers really hard to move with anything less than heavy hand. One of the first adjustments I made was to increase the gap between the lever adjustment and the return magnet. I had to back the adjustments all the way to the opposite end of their travel in order to allow the key to operate with a light touch.
note that its levers are heftier than the Vibroplex key.
Once adjusted to my liking, I have to say that the key operates smoothly. And I really liked the fact that the base has a built-in 2.5 mm stereo jack for connecting it to your rig or keyer. I think its an improvement.
The downside of the key — which is beautiful right out of the box — is also its highly polished finish — its EXTREMELY prone to minor scratches and fingerprints. After using the key a while, I fully understand now why the Vibroplex key has a black wrinkle finish — and why the Vibroplex Chrome Warrior has a brushed chrome finish rather than a highly polished one.
The keying levers are heftier than the Code Warrior levers, and as you might expect, much less prone to bending. Several years ago I bought a Code Warrior key used that had a lever with a definite bend in one lever. The lever worked, but it detracted from the key’s appearance. When I called Betsey at Vibroplex, she told me that they had a significant problem with the Code Warrior Jr keying levers getting bent; if you compare the two keys, the Vibroplex levers are much thinner.
Over all, the key works well; just be aware of the delicate nature of the highly polished finish and treat it with kid gloves.
MFJ DX FILTER. As noted on the filter’s front panel, this filter is aimed at users who are AM and SSB DX’ers — probably on the SWL market.
I tried this filter out, and it worked as advertised. On a crowded band — due to the Sweepstakes contest, no less — the filter helped reduce the impact of close-in signals on a crowded band.
I don’t know when the filter was marketed because I’ve been unable to find any documentation on this unit.
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS MULTI-FILTER. I’ve never seen this filter before, and I was so curious I had to buy it to check it out. The filter does precisely what it says it will do — it has fully adjustable CW and SSB filters that work very well.
I found a huge CW pile up on 80 CW, and after a little practice, I was able to isolate a single CW signal out of the fray. While it has fewer adjustments, this filter seemed to hold its own with my gold standard of audio filters, the Datong FL-2 and Datong FL-3.
UPCOMING. I’ve made more headway with my shack as far getting it straightened up, but still have more work to do. The irony isn’t lost on me, either — I’m operating in Studio CW with Heathkit SB-102s, a Tempo 2020 and a Kenwood TS-520SE, while I have a new and still-in-the-box Yaesu FTDX-101MP awaiting unboxing and installation in my main shack. I know the Yaesu is state-of-the-art, but the old gear is just fun to put on the air — and guess what — Straight Key Night is coming up at the end of next month! I hope to have a selection of rigs to get on the air for that event. Wish me luck!
73 es CUL … de KY4Z … SK .. SK … (dit dit) …