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The Vibroplex Champion Semi-Automatic Bug Key-A Restoration Story

March 11, 2024 By: john daws Category: Club, Fun, News

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN CHRIS G0EYO WAS CONFRONTED BY THESE 5 MORSE KEYS BOUGHT FROM A STOURBRIDGE AUCTION HOUSE AND EMBARKED UPON A LABOUR OF LOVE AND RESTORATION………….

…..and chose this Vibroplex Semi-Automatic Bug key for restoration? (pictured below)

The Vibroplex key in its original condition

In this wide ranging and fascinating article Chris takes us through not only the restoration project, but his own experience of CW in the past working once as a CW intercept operator in the Government agencies of Bletchley Park and GCHQ and, since then his determination to improve his sending of CW.

Fresh from the Auction House.. 5 Morse keys in need of some TLC!

With a brief history of the development of Morse keys from simple circuit breakers .. straight keys to the foundation of the Vibroplex Company and the semi- automatic Bug in 1905 Chris leads us to the present day and the not previously- viewed arrival of a collection of old keys from a Stourbridge Auction house.

His gaze is drawn magnetically to a Vibroplex Champion Semi-automatic Bug key (serial number 164719) much in need of some TLC.

THE AUTHOR IN HIS WORKSHOP

It is this process that Chris documents in some detail describing the painstaking process and subsequent realisation of an immaculate example of this iconic key.

Read the full article in the Website Library .

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Beyond Exams
- Ok so you have got your licence, congratulations, but you know you still have a great deal to learn to get the best out of this hobby. Traditionally these experiences were learnt by being part of a club with members who can help you learn new things. Not all of us have easy access to a club but these days the Internet offers a huge variety of videos and websites which show many aspects of amateur radio. We have put together a long list of URLs you can access, under our TRAINING & BEYOND header menu, covering:
  - GENERAL TOPICS
  - TRAINING TOPICS
  - OPERATING TOPICS
- Lots of excellent information here, be bold make use of it and take your hobby to new levels.
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CLUB ACTIVITIES 2023-24
There is an organised activity on 1st Tuesday of each month at 8.30pm (unless stated otherwise) in Darts Room, Wythall House. Our Club also has an informal meeting EVERY Tuesday from 7.30pm in Wythall House bar.
See our Programme of Activities by clicking on the link below. The list will be updated as new activities are finalised. Watch the web site for advance notification of activities!
See the programme here
Club Motto
The club’s motto is "Having Fun with RF" and our mission is to have FUN with RF in everything we do.
Club Culture
- Wythall Amateur Radio Club provides a friendly environment to discuss radio-related topics, seek advice and participate in Club events. These include contacting other radio amateurs around the world using the Club’s equipment, portable operation outdoors, demonstrating amateur radio at public events, participation in contests, social activities, and experimenting with low power, satellite, and other forms of communication.
Club Call Signs

Currently, Wythall Amateur Radio Club manage the following callsigns:

– G1WAC
– G4WAC
– G7WAC
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What is Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio is a world-wide technical hobby which allows people of all nationalities, religions, age groups and abilities to communicate with each other and have a lot of fun at the same time. It has a strong volunteer public service content. Go to Header Menu and read more under Amateur Radio
Training
Reluctantly, Wythall Radio Club has had to close its classroom and online training programmes after nearly 20 very successful years. There are many reasons for this and these are explained elsewhere on the website. Chris G0EYO still continues to act as Training Co-ordinator for the Club. If anyone wants advice on where to go, then please contact him via e mail g0eyo@blueyonder.co.uk. Go to Header Menu and read more under Training
Contesting

Wythall Contest Group is an informal group of Wythall Radio Club members - they organise participation in (and training for) monthly and annual contests including in-house, portable (using club equipment) and Field-Day style operations. Wythall Amateur Radio Club is affiliated to the Radio Society of Great Britain.
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