The NJQRP Club is announcing a new summertime operating event - "The Skeeter
Hunt".  The objective is to get QRPers out of their shacks for the day; and into
the fresh air and sunshine, to spread their wings and fill the airwaves with
"Skeeters".

While commercial equipment can certainly utilized, bonus multipliers will be
awarded for those who personally home brewed their own or kit built their own
equipment (equipment not built by the operator would not count as either home
brewed or kit built - it would be considered commercial equipment).  The
inaugural event is to be held on Sunday August 12th.  It will be a four hour
sprint - from 17:00 UTC to 21:00 UTC (1:00 TO 5:00 PM EDT).

The theme for this year is "My favorite outdoor place".  You are encouraged to
operate from your favorite outdoor place and tell us about it in your Soapbox
comments.

Stations who wish to be designated as "Skeeters" can get a Skeeter number by
requesting one by sending an e-mail to w2lj@...  Skeeter numbers would be
issued from May through the day before the event.

Station Classes and Multipliers
X1 Home stations - commercial equipment
X2 Home stations - home brewed or kit built equipment
X3 Portable station - commercial equipment
X4 Portable station - home brewed or kit built equipment

Portable stations cannot use permanent antennas, i.e you can't work from your
backyard, hook up to your dipole or tower and yagi and be considered a portable
station. Also, portable stations cannot be connected to the local power grid -
alternative energy sources must be used - solar, battery, wind, etc.

Exchange -
Skeeter Stations - RST, S/P/C, Skeeter number
Non-Skeeter Stations - RST, S/P/C, Output power

Mode - CW
Power - 5W max

Scoring -
Working a Skeeter Station - 2 points
Working a non-Skeeter Station - 1 point

Total score equals the number of QSO points times the number of S/P/Cs worked on
all bands (stations can be worked on multiple bands for QSO points and S/P/C
credit) times the multiplier for station class.

Bonus points - design and home brew a key or paddle specifically for the event
and earn an extra 1000 points.

Suggested frequencies:
The QRP "Watering Holes
80 Meters ~ 3.560 MHz
40 Meters ~ 7.040 and 7.030 MHz
20 Meters ~ 14.060 MHz
15 Meters ~ 21.060 MHz
10 Meters ~ 28.060 MHz

These are suggested starting points, of course. Feel free to spread out and give
your "Skeeter" wings a chance to do their thing.

Logs, photos and soapbox comments can be sent to w2lj@... no later than 30
days after the event.  Certificates will be issued to the top scorers of each
category as well as others to be determined.

A table of call signs and issued "Skeeter" numbers will appear on a page at
http://w2lj.blogspot.com/.

Hope to hear and work all of you during this new event. Special thanks to the
NJQRP club for their sponsorship!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

I recently purchased a 1943 Vibroplex Original bug and upon receipt of the key I
quickly made a couple minor repairs, then proceeded to put the key on the air.

All was well at first but I soon noticed that once in a while the Dah contact
would occasionally not make good contact while I was sending. I had of course
already cleaned all the contact surfaces with a pencil eraser so my first
reaction was to simply pull a strip of paper through the Dah contacts to
dislodge any particle of dirt.  At times this seemed to fix the problem but the
problem would always reoccur.

I finally found the problem, it seems the silver contact was not making good
electrical connection to the Dah adjusting screw. I removed the contact from the
adjusting screw, cleaned the contacts small mounting stem and afterwards lightly
tinned the small stem with a thin layer of solder. I then pressed the contact
back down into the Dah adjusting screw.

Results: Intermittent Dah contact problem is now 100% resolved.

Donnie / WA9TGT

NAQCC Sprint Wednesday night!

Our May sprint is this coming Wednesday evening local time (May 16, EST -
8:30-10:30PM, CST - 7:30-9:30PM, MST - 6:30-8:30PM, PST - 5:30-7:30PM), which
translates as Thursday May 17, 0030-0230Z in all cases.

I will refer you to the proper URL:

http://naqcc.info/sprint201205.html

There you will find all the details as to time, frequencies and other important
information.

Certificates: SWA (simple wire antennas) certificates by call area, VE and DX. A
Certificate for top score in the GAIN antenna category. Finally there is one
more award - a certificate to the highest score from a first-time participant.

Prizes: A prize of a set of bug/paddle handles or a K1/K2 knob insert donated by
master woodworker Gregg WB8LZG is awarded for each sprint to the winner of a
random drawing among all participants. Previous winners are not eligible.

This is a monthly event that caters to the CW veteran, the CW newcomer, straight
key and bug fans. All are welcome to participate (this includes QRO); but you
must use QRP power levels to compete for awards.

If you are not already a member of NAQCC... membership is FREE!  Now is your
chance to join the largest QRP CW Club in the world!!  We currently have 6000+
members in: All 50 States - 9 VE Provinces - 90 Countries.  Just sign up on the
NAQCC website (http://naqcc.info/) and you will receive a handsome certificate,
with your membership number which is good for life.

The April Sprint was our biggest and best one yet, with lots of activity - you
do not want to miss out on this one!

Come join us and have a real good time!

72/73 de Dave VA3RJ
NAQCC #0004

I just wanted to let everyone know that my good friend Richard Meiss / WB9LPU
won the QRP homebrew contest with one of his new bugs at Dayton.

CONGRATULATIONS Rich!

Rich also put on a fantastic presentation at our last ECI-QRP meeting here in
Muncie, IN this past April.

Donnie / WA9TGT

NAQCC Sprint Tuesday night!

Our June sprint is this coming Tuesday evening local time (May 16, EST -
8:30-10:30PM, CST - 7:30-9:30PM, MST - 6:30-8:30PM, PST - 5:30-7:30PM), which
translates as Wednesday June 13, 0030-0230Z in all cases.

I will refer you to the proper URL:

http://naqcc.info/sprint201206.html

There you will find all the details as to time, frequencies and other important
information.

Certificates: SWA (simple wire antennas) certificates by call area, VE and DX. A
Certificate for top score in the GAIN antenna category. Finally there is one
more award - a certificate to the highest score from a first-time participant.

Prizes: A prize of a set of bug/paddle handles or a K1/K2 knob insert donated by
master woodworker Gregg WB8LZG is awarded for each sprint to the winner of a
random drawing among all participants. Previous winners are not eligible.

This is a monthly event that caters to the CW veteran, the CW newcomer, straight
key and bug fans. All are welcome to participate (this includes QRO); but you
must use QRP power levels to compete for awards.

If you are not already a member of NAQCC... membership is FREE!  Now is your
chance to join the largest QRP CW Club in the world!!  We currently have 6000+
members in: All 50 States - 9 VE Provinces - 90 Countries.  Just sign up on the
NAQCC website (http://naqcc.info/) and you will receive a handsome certificate,
with your membership number which is good for life.

Added Note: The NAQCC European Chapter Sprint will also take place Wednesday,
June 13, 1800-2000 UTC.  Full information on their website at: naqcc-eu.org/

Come join us and have a real good time!

72/73 de Dave VA3RJ
NAQCC #0004

On several, but not all, lightning bugs I noticed a small screw just distal to
the dash tension spring.  It's presence is not noted on the lightning machine
drawing located on the vibroplex site but I have seen it on several ebay
pictures and it is also present on the Frattini J38 reproduction.  Does anyone
know it's purpose?
Bill/wv1n

Bill,
I wonder if you're referring to the grounding screw which assures continuity
between the lever and the base, usually on chrome Lightning Bugs.  When intact,
there is a copper braid attached to the screw.
Milt k4oso

--- In cw_bugs@yahoogroups.com, "William" <fretjock@...> wrote:
>
> On several, but not all, lightning bugs I noticed a small screw just distal to
the dash tension spring.  It's presence is not noted on the lightning machine
drawing located on the vibroplex site but I have seen it on several ebay
pictures and it is also present on the Frattini J38 reproduction.  Does anyone
know it's purpose?
> Bill/wv1n
>

 

On several, but not all, lightning bugs I noticed a small screw just distal to the dash tension spring. It's presence is not noted on the lightning machine drawing located on the vibroplex site but I have seen it on several ebay pictures and it is also present on the Frattini J38 reproduction. Does anyone know it's purpose?
Bill/wv1n

-- 161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
or
5204 Texas Highway 49 W
Omaha, TX 75571-6474
U.S.A.
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
Also, K8JP, member FOC1743,CWops876,QCWA-LM21894,OOTC4607,A1OP,SKCC3171T,NAQCC5798,FISTS7625CC951,FP-2819
LotW Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever, Zephyr, Lionel J-36 and prefer basket cases to restore.

http://www.i1qod.it/j36basenera.htm

 

Tell us where you can see this screw.  I don't see it.

http://www.i1qod.it/j36basenera.htm

DR

=30=

On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 9:38 AM, William <fretjock@...> wrote:

On several, but not all, lightning bugs I noticed a small screw just distal to the dash tension spring.  It's presence is not noted on the lightning machine drawing located on the vibroplex site but I have seen it on several ebay pictures and it is also present on the Frattini J38 reproduction.  Does anyone know it's purpose?
Bill/wv1n



------------------------------------

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-- 161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
or
5204 Texas Highway 49 W
Omaha, TX 75571-6474
U.S.A.
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
Also, K8JP, member FOC1743,CWops876,QCWA-LM21894,OOTC4607,A1OP,SKCC3171T,NAQCC5798,FISTS7625CC951,FP-2819
LotW Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever, Zephyr, Lionel J-36 and prefer basket cases to restore.

 

It's on the views marked "partial view".  On the Frattini j36 is an allen wrench adjustment but I've seen regular slotted screws on vibroplexes.

---

To: cw_bugs@yahoogroups.com
From: n1ea@...
Date: Wed, 13 Jun 2012 11:59:10 -0400
Subject: Re: [cw_bugs] Lightning bug question

 

Tell us where you can see this screw.  I don't see it.

http://www.i1qod.it/j36basenera.htm

DR

=30=

On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 9:38 AM, William <fretjock@...> wrote:

On several, but not all, lightning bugs I noticed a small screw just distal to the dash tension spring.  It's presence is not noted on the lightning machine drawing located on the vibroplex site but I have seen it on several ebay pictures and it is also present on the Frattini J38 reproduction.  Does anyone know it's purpose?
Bill/wv1n



------------------------------------

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<*> Your email settings:
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<*> To change settings online go to:
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-- 161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
or
5204 Texas Highway 49 W
Omaha, TX 75571-6474
U.S.A.
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
Also, K8JP, member FOC1743,CWops876,QCWA-LM21894,OOTC4607,A1OP,SKCC3171T,NAQCC5798,FISTS7625CC951,FP-2819
LotW Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever, Zephyr, Lionel J-36 and prefer basket cases to restore.

 

Joe is correct.  It is a machine screw that presses against the arbour (pivot rod) to prevent it from moving - later Vibroplex's do not have this as they are press fit and basically not adjustable.

What I do if the height is off on pressure fit arbours is I take a 1 inch think pieces of soft wood that I can hold in my hands 2 by 3 by 1 is fine - I use three soft cloths and I use a bench vise.

I disassemble the key and remove the main lever from the trunnion assembly, Be sure to disconnect the grounding braid if the key is a "deluxe" version.

I open the vise and cover each side with cloth thick enough to cushion the blow you will be giving in a moment.  I wrap the arbour (pivot rod) with a thin cloth - just to prevent tool marks..

Lay the lever across the jaws of the padded vise and close the vise until you are about 1/16 inch from each side of the arbour.  Hold the lever in position and tighten vise until it allows movement of the arbour but doesn't allow it to fall over unless you force it to.  In other words "just holding".

Then take a piece of wood - cover the elbow end of the pin with the soft wood and give it a whack with a small hammer.  The pin will go down a bit.

You get the idea.

73

On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 1:42 PM, Joe V31JP <v31jp1957@...> wrote:

That is to hold/lock the pendulum height to the arbour/pivot rod.  Some keys, the hole and pin are a pressed fit, but some use this screw to lock the height or
make it more easily adjustable.  I have an Original going to the bench shortly the the pendulum is too low and I have to raise it. It is a press fit.  A challenge here as
my tools are at home in Belize.

-- 161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
or
5204 Texas Highway 49 W
Omaha, TX 75571-6474
U.S.A.
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
Also, K8JP, member FOC1743,CWops876,QCWA-LM21894,OOTC4607,A1OP,SKCC3171T,NAQCC5798,FISTS7625CC951,FP-2819
LotW Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever, Zephyr, Lionel J-36 and prefer basket cases to restore.

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

Father's Day night happens to be the June 2012 edition of the Run For The Bacon.
That friendly lil' ol' QRP Sprint sponsored by your friends at the Flying Pigs
QRP Amateur Radio Club International.  Join us for a spell to have some fun and
to say "Hi" to friends, old and new.

The time is the same as always:

East coast - 9:00 to 11:00 PM local time
Midwest - 8:00 to 10:00 PM local time
Rockies - 7:00 to 9:00 PM local time
West coast - 6:00 to 8:00 PM local time

The rules are at:

http://fpqrp.org/pigrun/

73 de Larry W2LJ
FP# 612
QRP ARCI# 4488

I just posted a picture of a bug I recently finished machining out for myself. I
have been using this bug daily now for over 2 weeks and it preforms beautifully.

Bug has a 3" wide base and the base was commercially finished with a Black
powder coat textured finish. I machined out all the parts except the stainless
steel screws and the (2) coil springs.

The picture of this bug can be found in my photo folder called:

WA9TGT-Bugs

Thank you for looking.....

Regards, Donnie / WA9TGT

 

I just posted a picture of a bug I recently finished machining out for myself. I have been using this bug daily now for over 2 weeks and it preforms beautifully.

Bug has a 3" wide base and the base was commercially finished with a Black powder coat textured finish. I machined out all the parts except the stainless steel screws and the (2) coil springs.

The picture of this bug can be found in my photo folder called:

WA9TGT-Bugs

Thank you for looking.....

Regards, Donnie / WA9TGT

-- 161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
or
5204 Texas Highway 49 W
Omaha, TX 75571-6474
U.S.A.
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
Also, K8JP, member FOC1743,CWops876,QCWA-LM21894,OOTC4607,A1OP,SKCC3171T,NAQCC5798,FISTS7625CC951,FP-2819
LotW Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever, Zephyr, Lionel J-36 and prefer basket cases to restore.

 

Hello Donnie,

What a beautiful looking key.

Since you've done your own machining, I am going to recommend one change that is in one of my bugs which makes it probably the best sender of all, T.R. "Ted" McElroy designed a pre-tensioner which was an "L" shaped piece of metal held by a set screw located on the vibrator rod

A  picture is worth millions of my insufficient words:

More photos and a description of this key are located here:
http://www.greenhillsgf.com/IndexOwn_McElroy_Key2.htm

I have no connection with that person, it's only a picture of what I am attempting to describe.

One of the worst problems is sparking and jittery dots - this pretensions the dot spring by holding it back and acting like a damper when the vibrator moves away.

It works very well.

For others who might want some more of my poor words - click on either of the two "gopher hole" links and read about how to adjust bugs - just ramblings that I've learned by trials and lots of errors and asking question over 50 years of Morse telegraphy.

73

David J. Ring, Jr., N1EA  Radio-Officers Group -- Historic Morse Recordings 

Gopher Hole:  gopher://sdf.org/1/users/djringjr/ (native or with Firefox's Overbite extension) or via http to gopher gateway

Chat Skype: djringjr MSN: djringjr@... AIM: N1EA icq: 27380609

=30=

-- 161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
or
5204 Texas Highway 49 W
Omaha, TX 75571-6474
U.S.A.
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
Also, K8JP, member FOC1743,CWops876,QCWA-LM21894,OOTC4607,A1OP,SKCC3171T,NAQCC5798,FISTS7625CC951,FP-2819
LotW Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever, Zephyr, Lionel J-36 and prefer basket cases to restore.

 

That is beautiful, Donnie.

For others, it is here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cw_bugs/photos/recent/1291589982/view

I am curious, Donnie about what you used for contact material, in particular, the contact on the Dot spring contact.
Ah, but I can see it is a new key.  There is no circuit closure switch.  Hee Hee!  Nice job.

-- 73 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
http://w2lj.blogspot.com/
http://www.w2lj.qrpradio.com/

Donnie,
Truly a bug of beauty. Well done!
73,
Troy, W6HV

-----Original Message-----
From: wa9tgt
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2012 5:44 PM
To: cw_bugs@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [cw_bugs] Recent Bug Creation by WA9TGT

I just posted a picture of a bug I recently finished machining out for
myself. I have been using this bug daily now for over 2 weeks and it
preforms beautifully.

Bug has a 3" wide base and the base was commercially finished with a Black
powder coat textured finish. I machined out all the parts except the
stainless steel screws and the (2) coil springs.

The picture of this bug can be found in my photo folder called:

WA9TGT-Bugs

Thank you for looking.....

Regards, Donnie / WA9TGT



------------------------------------

Yahoo! Groups Links

 

I picked up a recent-vintage Blue Racer at the Slidell, LA hamfest last year and have been using it for a while... it's my third bug, after a 1969 standard and a 1957 Lightning.  This one seems *VERY* touchy on the dits - there is a tendency to not hold the same adjustment even for a single QSO.

I can adjust the dits to the point where I can get the points to barely close at rest - it will give dozens and dozens of dits before getting scratchy - and will sound fine - and then the next QSO it will start sending scratchy sounding dits.

I have placed a .01 uf cap across the key line (inside the plug housing) on all 3 of my bugs, and it seems to help the other two on modern rigs.

This one has me baffled.

The pendulum arm, at rest, is barely touching the damper.  

Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

73 de Chuck, WS1L

--

===================

Chuck Chandler

chandlerusm@...

===================

 

I picked up a recent-vintage Blue Racer at the Slidell, LA hamfest last year and have been using it for a while... it's my third bug, after a 1969 standard and a 1957 Lightning.  This one seems *VERY* touchy on the dits - there is a tendency to not hold the same adjustment even for a single QSO.

I can adjust the dits to the point where I can get the points to barely close at rest - it will give dozens and dozens of dits before getting scratchy - and will sound fine - and then the next QSO it will start sending scratchy sounding dits.

I have placed a .01 uf cap across the key line (inside the plug housing) on all 3 of my bugs, and it seems to help the other two on modern rigs.

This one has me baffled.

The pendulum arm, at rest, is barely touching the damper.  

Any other suggestions would be appreciated!

73 de Chuck, WS1L

--

===================

Chuck Chandler

chandlerusm@...

===================

-- 161, Joe, Ronnie(Rowena), Marty & Sidney Pontek
P.O. Box 280, Dangriga, Stann Creek District
(Hopkins Village) Belize
011-501-503-7346 Belize
011-501-666-3564 Belize (cellular)
or
5204 Texas Highway 49 W
Omaha, TX 75571-6474
U.S.A.
903-424-4267 (My cellular when in Texas)
Also, K8JP, member FOC1743,CWops876,QCWA-LM21894,OOTC4607,A1OP,SKCC3171T,NAQCC5798,FISTS7625CC951,FP-2819
LotW Skype: v31joepalooka
http://www.justanswer.com/lp-1eh8-tool-repair
I am looking for Vibroplex Model X, Double lever, Zephyr, Lionel J-36 and prefer basket cases to restore.