My much-anticipated new Vibroplex Original DeLuxe bug arrived this afternoon! My wife is home sick, and I tried to hide my exhuberance when I saw the UPS truck arrive out front. I new from the tracking information that the key was supposed to arrive today.
I opened the box a while ago, and the key is as beautiful a key as I think I could have ever hoped for. It's absolutely mint, it doesn't look like it has been ever used!
One problem was visible, however. The seller has tied the pendulum down securely, but did NOT remove the weight from the pendulum. The box apparently was jostled around a bit, and the weighted keying lever popped out of its mounts (this is a common occurence). The weighted lever banged around inside the frame, bending the crap out of the dash return spring screw.
The screw is bent so badly the dash lever won't even move! I've received several keys with the same damage, though none were bent quite this badly.
It's not really “serious” damage, but it's annoying and disappointing. I can't use the key as-is, and I bought it in new condition, not damaged. Honestly, I believe I got a fantastic deal on this key, even when you consider the damage.
Brand new, a Vibroplex Original DeLuxe lists for $209.95 — and this one is as good as a new one. The only thing that really identifies it as a pre-Alabama bug is the fact the ID plate is glued down and not riveted.
I've read that the quality control of the Maine-built keys could be suspect. I don't know if that's true, but I have a seen some bases that weren't exactly smooth castings throughout the years. My new key looks absolutely like a dream, so I can't fault the Maine-built keys. The serial number, 62,602, indicates the key was built in 1990, and was indeed a Maine-built bug. The company was sold in 1994 to Mitch Mitchell, W4OA, in 1994. For a 15-year-old key, it sure doesn't look the part.
I need to check my own stash of parts, I may have a replacement dash spring screw that I ordered for another key but never installed. I'm itching to get this key on the air.
I worked Crete on 15 meters this afternoon, and the the GB200T, the special event station in Britain commemorating the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar. The station is located at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, England. Cool web site too at http://www.gb200t.com.
That's all for now, it's time to pick up the Harmonics from school.
73 de KY4Z … SK … dit dit …