VIBROPLEX HAS A NEW OWNER      Scott Robbins, W4PA, has purchased The Vibroplex Company, Inc., effective December 21, 2009. Robbins bought the company from Felton "Mitch" Mitchell, W4OA, who had owned the business for fifteen years. "Vibroplex represents the great tradition of CW operation in Amateur Radio going back many, many years," said Robbins. "I'm tickled to be able to continue the more than 100 years of history that has gone into this company."   Robbins - who was employed at Ten-Tec, Inc. from 1995 until resigning in mid-December to take over full-time management and ownership of Vibroplex, said "It's a great opportunity to continue the many years of tradition that the Vibroplex name represents. He said "I've known Mitch for quite a few years and it was an important consideration for both of us that Vibroplex continue operation, building quality products for Amateur Radio long into the future. Mitch's experience owning the company will be valuable as we proceed with a seamless ownership transition over the next few weeks."   Robbins moved Vibroplex from its former location in Mobile, Alabama to Knoxville, Tennessee and opened at the new location on January 5, 2010. Vibroplex's toll-free sales line (800) 840-8873 and e-mail contact addresses will remain in continuous operation under the new ownership. Our FAX number is (865) 247-6795 and for calls other than placing orders, the  phone number is (865) 247-6792.   "My first Vibroplex paddle was given to me in 1980 by my father, W2DR. When I left home to attend the University of North Carolina in 1988, a rig,  some wire and the key went with me," Robbins continued. "Close to 30 years later, it's still on the table - along with two Vibroplex products I've purchased. I used a Vibroplex Chrome Iambic to win the 2006 ARRL DX CW contest from Barbados as 8P9PA and I will certainly be using one at the WRTC 2010 competition in Russia."   Vibroplex is the oldest continuously operating business in the Amateur Radio industry and has been in continuous service to the hobby since founder Horace Martin invented the "bug" semi-automatic Morse code key in 1904.