Vibroplex Blue Racer

[Ham4CW]

I mentioned in another thread that I was in the process of acquiring a Vibroplex Blue Racer bug key (a few months ago now!), so I thought I would post a couple of photos of the key.

There's nothing 'magical' about the mechanism, the key uses the standard layout of bug parts. The main differences to some of the other Vibroplex keys is the narrower base, and the unusual blue colour of the base. Also these keys have a higher minimum speed than other bugs from Vibroplex (not much more though).

I opted for a second hand Blue Racer for a number of reasons, one being to save money, the other being that the older Blue racers had an embossed Vibroplex badge, whereas the newer ones use a poorer (in my opinion) screen printed badge.

73, Mark...

 

[G0KVL]

Lovely blue racer in beautiful condition, I agree on the label not only that but the paddle/s on the new units are not the same quality either, don't make em like they used to, everything going cheap and penny pinching yet ask the earth.

 

[Ham4CW]

Glad you like it! bd

There's a short demo of the range of speeds that the Blue Racer is capable of on YouTube by JN4XIZ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgDNLd4C3Qk

I used to think the name of the key was due to their colour and sending speed ability, but after seeing them in a variety of base colours I'm not so sure.

I did notice however that there is a snake, called a Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii), that is relatively quick moving, and is also blue in colour, so maybe that's where the name was adopted from?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coluber_constrictor_foxii

It would be on a par with the companies Lightening Bug logo.

73, Mark...

 

[G0KVL]

it's in really nice condition, I predominantly use a bug key and the speeds between variants is huge, the range on that blue race is nice, no extra weights needed unless you're a QRS operator.

 

[Mickey Morse]

Lovely blue racer in beautiful condition, I agree on the label not only that but the paddle/s on the new units are not the same quality either, don't make em like they used to, everything going cheap and penny pinching yet ask the earth.

Oh that's a real shame and it seems like a big mistake on Vibroplex's part.  One doesn't buy these devices for their functionality (much).  It's more like buying a fancy Swiss  wristwatch.  The functionality is one thing but it's also about mechanical perfectionism and enjoying a somewhat anachronistic experience every time you use it.  If they are no longer delivering that, what is the point of their product?  You might as well get a 20 dollar electronic keyer paddle, and that's assuming you want to keep operating CW at all, another thing done mostly for the anachronistic but satisfying experience.