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Author Topic: Blue Racer  (Read 686 times)

N8TI

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Blue Racer
« on: May 05, 2021, 03:43:09 AM »

Anyone have the Blue Racer Vibroplex is making now?  If so, how do they work?  Can you slow them down? 
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NI0C

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #1 on: May 05, 2021, 09:25:09 AM »

The Blue Racers currently made by Vibroplex look pretty much like the earliest ones dating back to 1914.
My first bug was a used Blue Racer made in the 1950’s, and I have three earlier ones in my collection. Only one of these is unusually fast, and it is easily tamed with a vari-speed adapter made by Vibroplex.

Keep in mind that bug keys are designed to assist in higher speed sending, with 18-20 WPM as a lower limit.
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W6MK

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #2 on: May 05, 2021, 09:48:09 AM »

Another attribute of the Blue Racers is that they have a smaller, narrower base with significantly reduced mass.

For many bug ops this can mean that the Blue Racer is more likely to move around on the desk.

Of course any bug can move around and the remedy is some sort of sticky pad underneath.

And the Vibroplex website mentions that the weighting setup on the Blue Racer provides a higher minimum speed. Many Vibroplex bugs, particularly Lightnings,
won't go slower than about 22 wpm, without some sort of modification--a pendulum extender or bigger weight(s).

A good bug for a beginner, which can be easily slowed to about 12 wpm, is the
Vizbug. There's a right-angle version as well as a vertical version and the vertical
can be slowed even more than the other one.

I have a modified Vibroplex Original, a "Verti-plex" which is vertical. Vertical bugs, because of the pendulum arrangement, can be set up for significantly less physical input. Thus they may appeal to ops who are familiar with using paddles.
« Last Edit: May 05, 2021, 09:52:08 AM by W6MK »
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KW6LA

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #3 on: May 05, 2021, 08:15:29 PM »

I have a 1959 Blue Racer Bug. To slow it down  I took a piece of copper tungsten ( very heavy ) and copied the weight it came with. It will go down to about 12 wpm when extended all the way out. Then i nickel  plated it so it looked like the real deal. Fun Ham project and love operating the old bug.
Yes you can buy a device mentioned to slow it down, but looks kind a funky !!
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K7MEM

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #4 on: May 06, 2021, 03:44:51 AM »

I have a 1916 Vibroplex Blue Racer (SN 57231). Its very heavy in patina, but it still operates nicely. I tried using weights to slow it down, but with it slowed down, it felt more like it was operating you, rather than the other way around.

I like working with it at it's intended speeds, but it's often more work than I want to deal with. I prefer a nice dual paddle keyer.
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Martin - K7MEM
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NI0C

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #5 on: May 06, 2021, 09:50:16 AM »

Yes you can buy a device mentioned to slow it down, but looks kind a funky !!
Admittedly, it does-- sort of like putting training wheels on a fine road racing bike.
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N2EY

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2021, 05:17:45 PM »

The Blue Racer is just an Original with jeweled bearings on a narrow blue base.

IMHO, the narrow base is a disadvantage because it makes it that much easier for the bug to slide on the table.

I have four Vibroplexes and their slowest speed is about 18 wpm. To go any slower, just use a straight key.

73 de Jim, N2EY
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NI0C

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2021, 10:00:47 AM »

Quote
The Blue Racer is just an Original with jeweled bearings on a narrow blue base.
These statements may be all correct concerning the current Blue Racers sold by Vibroplex; however the older models were not necessarily blue in color, did not have jeweled bearings, and could be purchased in a standard width (3.5" versus 2.5"). The pre WW2 racers also had a unique U shaped damper design. See: http://www.vibroplexcollector.net/?page_id=458

73,
Chuck NI0C
« Last Edit: May 16, 2021, 10:08:28 AM by NI0C »
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K0RS

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #8 on: June 14, 2021, 09:33:24 AM »

Quote
The Blue Racer is just an Original with jeweled bearings on a narrow blue base.
These statements may be all correct concerning the current Blue Racers sold by Vibroplex; however the older models were not necessarily blue in color, did not have jeweled bearings, and could be purchased in a standard width (3.5" versus 2.5"). The pre WW2 racers also had a unique U shaped damper design. See: http://www.vibroplexcollector.net/?page_id=458

73,
Chuck NI0C

Chuck is correct.  While the modern Blue Racer may have parts interchangable with the Original to save manufaturing costs, earlier Racers were enitely different than Originals and shrunk in all respects.  The bridge, damper and lever arm are all smaller than an Orignial.  I have a 1947 DeLuxe and a 1957 Standard and they are considerably smaller and more delicate than Originals.  Incidentally, neither have jeweled bearings.  Regarding the wider base, I have a well-worn 1920 model #4 (as the Blue Racer was known then) with the U damper, a 3.5" base (same as an Original), and black leatherette finish.  The wider base was available on special order.  Apparently some liked the stability of the wider base while appreciating the operating characteristics of the smaller upper works.

Getting back to the OP, I also have more recent manufacture (post 1995, Mobile, AL) blue base Racer with the larger bridge and damper.  It works pretty much like any bug.  Incidentally, it doesn't have jeweled bearings either.  Buying a key and attempting to alter its inherent characteristics just because you like the way it looks is pretty much a fool's errand.  I would either increase my speed to suit the key's personality or choose a different key.  With a plethora of paddles available, perhaps it would wiser to select one that pleases you and simply use it with a keyer adjusted to any suitable speed.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2021, 09:47:42 AM by K0RS »
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K7MEM

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2021, 10:56:51 AM »

Yea, the black finish on the old Blue Racers is black, but appears to be blue in certain lighting. I have a 1916 Blue Racer. It has tons of patina, but is still operational. It may be a jewel,but it doesn't have a single jewel on it.

http://www.k7mem.com/Documents/Vibroplex_1916_Blue_Racer.jpg

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Martin - K7MEM
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NI0C

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Re: Blue Racer
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2021, 06:07:34 AM »

Yea, the black finish on the old Blue Racers is black, but appears to be blue in certain lighting. I have a 1916 Blue Racer. It has tons of patina, but is still operational. It may be a jewel,but it doesn't have a single jewel on it.

http://www.k7mem.com/Documents/Vibroplex_1916_Blue_Racer.jpg
That's a nice key. Many keys that old have been repainted at sometime in the past. I'm pretty sure that my 1920 Blue Racer shown on my QRZ page was repainted. I can tell that the nameplate has been removed by looking at the pins underneath. My 1914 has a color like yours-- black with just a hint of blue. There is a trace of the decal left on it, so the paint must be the original.
73 de Chuck NI0C
 
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