Yes, the Speed-X uses a larger diameter but narrower weight. On the Vibroplex it offers superior speed control. Unfortunately the pendulum arm on the Vibroplex is just slightly larger than the Speed-X so, while the weight will slip on, it's a tight fit and difficult to move, losing the easy and quick adjustment available on the Speed-X.
There's an image here: http://morsetelegraphkey.com/rare-e-f-johnson-114-520-speed-x-bug To change speeds, just put your finger behind the weight and thumb on the spring and squeeze to let the weight slide freely, then let go and the spring moves away from the weight so the hole in it grips the pendulum and hold the weight in place. Tuning the bands, some are looking for the rare DX or latest DX-pedition, others are looking for extreme QRQ ops, and some just for a buddy they spend time regularly. I'm looking for the signal that might have a bit of chirp or one that's around one of the QRP "watering holes" and most interesting are those signals with a little personality in their keying indicating they're on a straight key or bug. 73, Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- Some of you are old enough to remember that back in the mid 50s my "nemesis" in the old ARRL CD Parties was my fellow Western New Yorker, Keith, W2FEB. But Keith also gave me what is probably a collector's item for my old garden-variety Vibroplex bug -- a special weight. I, too, had a Vibroplex that didn't like to go down low enough in speed to suit me. I, too, tried using _two_ of the standard Vibroplex weights, with unexciting results. I, too, tried wrapping turns of solder around the standard weight. Keith worked at a machine shop in Lockport, north of Buffalo. He designed and fabricated a special weight that was narrower than the the stock Vibroplex weight, but had a much larger diameter (and perhaps higher density, as well). His primary purpose in designing it was not the lower speed but, rather, the desire to be able to change speed without messing around with the knurled set screw on the normal weight. So he built into it a spring-loaded ball bearing that kept it in position on the shaft, yet allowed it to be slid farther in or out on the shaft with two fingers and a thumb (generally on the same hand). Really cool. (Kewl?) This is not totally off-topic, since I occasionally hook up my old Vibroplex with W2FEB's weight and try sending with a bug using the sidetone on my K3 with the VOX disabled. (I decline to comment on whether I'm keying my amplifier when I do that....) Bud, W2RU (ex-K2KIR) ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
