Key: Vibroplex Code Warrior Jr.
Serial: 7016
Vintage: 2025
Acquired: November 2, 2025
Plate: Knoxville, TN
Base: ECO-BLACK powder coat
Back to Vibroplex Key Collection
Click on an image to enlarge. All photos are original works by the author.
The Code Warrior Jr. was introduced by Vibroplex in 2000 while the company was located in Mobile, Alabama under S. Felton “Mitch” Mitchell’s ownership. The Code Warrior Jr. is based on a key designed by Wayne Smith, K8FF, which won the 1997 NorCal Design Contest. Described as a “QRP” key, obviously due to its small size, the Code Warrior Jr. uses brass components mounted onto a black powder coated base. Paddle tension is magnetic leveraging two small magnets mounted into the sides of the center block and screws inserted into the paddle arms. The paddle arms rotate around two bronze bearings affixed to two screws which then attach the arm and bearing assembly to the steel base.
Some Code Warrior Jr. owners will notice significant vertical play in the paddle arms. Vibroplex, as far as I can tell, never provided adjustment guidance for this key. Luckily, the NorCal QRP Club provided such information to customers who bought the K8FF key kit in the late 1990s. This information and more can be found at the link in the preceding paragraph and is paraphrased here.
Note that there is some up and down movement of the paddle arms. That is because of the play between the top of the bearing and the shaft. What you need to do is reduce this “play”. […] I carefully filed the bearing down until the clearance was .002” and it was just right. Make sure that you take the bearing out of the shaft to file it. Take your time and test fit. DO NOT go too far or your bearing will not work, and you will have ruined your bearings.
Alabama-era Code Warrior Jr. “Chrome Warrior” models had “VIBROPLEX” and a serial number engraved into the center block and a brushed chrome base. All models from Tennessee include a simple VIBROPLEX sticker and hand-written serial number on the underside of the base.
In 2009, Vibroplex introduced a “Lite Warrior“, which was a Code Warrior Jr. with an aluminum base. The key was apparently short-lived.
Collectible versions of the Code Warrior Jr. might include the Lite Warrior variant and certainly any version of the K8FF QRP Paddles assembled prior to Vibroplex’s involvement.
k2mas.net is not affiliated with the Vibroplex Co., Inc. “Vibroplex”, “Lightning Bug” and the bug logo are trademarks of The Vibroplex Co., Inc.
K2MAS.net 