OT: Scratchy Dot reducer for Bug type keys

[Jim Sheldon]

This is kind of a feeler email to see if there's any interest for a
product I've sort of resurrected.  I don't know how many list
subscribers use a Semi-Automatic "Bug" key for CW when most rigs have
built in keyers now, but I have been hearing more bugs on the air
lately, mainly amongst the QRO operators and I've heard some really
excellent sounding ones and some really horrible sounding ones.  Not
talking about the operator's "fists", but the really scratchy dots
inherent in the mechanical contact on the vibrating "Dit" generator.  
This contact is usually a bent, flat spring and the cause of the
"scratchies" is extra contact bounce on contact break as the spring
becomes free to vibrate on it's own as the contacts separate.

Ted McElroy, who held the CW receiving record for many years and some
say that record hasn't been officially broken yet, came up with a
mechanical device that he incorporated into the contacts on the bugs he
marketed back in the 1920's and 30's.  I've come up with a hand made
version of this "dot contact stabilizer" that eliminates the need for a
capacitor across the terminals of most bugs and almost completely
eliminates the scratchy dot syndrome when it's properly adjusted.

I've been using one on each of my 4 bugs and it makes them sound really
good on the air (within the limitations of my "fist") and it makes the
bugs much easier to send decent CW with.

I've decided to market them on a limited basis as I have to hand make
each one and I'm not looking to get rich selling them, but I've hit on a
$20 postage paid price per device within the US and $20 plus whatever
shipping costs for international customers on a case by case basis.  
They are made mostly of aluminum bar stock with a couple of set screws
and the adjustable piece of music wire to tame the contact.  Included in
the price are complete adjustment instructions and the proper Allen
wrench for the set screws.

Preferred payment is PayPal but I will also accept USPS money orders
from US Domestic Customers.  PayPal only from international customers
and they must have a PayPal account and a PayPal verified address.

Email me off list for ordering instructions or for further details.

Jim Sheldon - W0EB
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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Scratchy dits are usually caused by dirty dit contacts or improper
adjustment on bugs.
A piece of paper pulled through the closed DIt contact can clean those
contacts - repeat until no further color appears on the paper.  
Adjustment of the damper to properly time the length of the dits with
your dash sending speed is also important - the normal ratio is 3:1.  
Many (most) bug users I have heard make the dits too short in comparison
to the dashes.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/3/2014 8:48 PM, Jim's Desktop wrote:

> This is kind of a feeler email to see if there's any interest for a
> product I've sort of resurrected.  I don't know how many list
> subscribers use a Semi-Automatic "Bug" key for CW when most rigs have
> built in keyers now, but I have been hearing more bugs on the air
> lately, mainly amongst the QRO operators and I've heard some really
> excellent sounding ones and some really horrible sounding ones.  Not
> talking about the operator's "fists", but the really scratchy dots
> inherent in the mechanical contact on the vibrating "Dit" generator.  
> This contact is usually a bent, flat spring and the cause of the
> "scratchies" is extra contact bounce on contact break as the spring
> becomes free to vibrate on it's own as the contacts separate.
>
> Ted McElroy, who held the CW receiving record for many years and some
> say that record hasn't been officially broken yet, came up with a
> mechanical device that he incorporated into the contacts on the bugs
> he marketed back in the 1920's and 30's.  I've come up with a hand
> made version of this "dot contact stabilizer" that eliminates the need
> for a capacitor across the terminals of most bugs and almost
> completely eliminates the scratchy dot syndrome when it's properly
> adjusted.
>

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[Don Wilhelm-4]

Hello all,

I have heard that in some cases, my response to Jim's post was
interpreted as being negative about his bug improvement offering - let
me assure you it was not intended that way.
Yes, Jim's offering can help with mechanically induced "scratchy dits"
problems.
One should still maintain clean contacts on bugs and straight keys - and
also paddles.  Regular maintenance will take care of the dirty contacts,
but it will not help with the mechanical aspects.  I believe Jim is
offering a helpful product.

73,
Don W3FPR

------------------------------------------------------
Scratchy dits are usually caused by dirty dit contacts or improper
adjustment on bugs.
A piece of paper pulled through the closed DIt contact can clean those
contacts - repeat until no further color appears on the paper.
Adjustment of the damper to properly time the length of the dits with
your dash sending speed is also important - the normal ratio is 3:1.
Many (most) bug users I have heard make the dits too short in comparison
to the dashes.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 6/3/2014 8:48 PM, Jim's Desktop wrote:

> This is kind of a feeler email to see if there's any interest for a
> product I've sort of resurrected.  I don't know how many list
> subscribers use a Semi-Automatic "Bug" key for CW when most rigs have
> built in keyers now, but I have been hearing more bugs on the air
> lately, mainly amongst the QRO operators and I've heard some really
> excellent sounding ones and some really horrible sounding ones.  Not
> talking about the operator's "fists", but the really scratchy dots
> inherent in the mechanical contact on the vibrating "Dit" generator.
> This contact is usually a bent, flat spring and the cause of the
> "scratchies" is extra contact bounce on contact break as the spring
> becomes free to vibrate on it's own as the contacts separate.
>
> Ted McElroy, who held the CW receiving record for many years and some
> say that record hasn't been officially broken yet, came up with a
> mechanical device that he incorporated into the contacts on the bugs
> he marketed back in the 1920's and 30's.  I've come up with a hand
> made version of this "dot contact stabilizer" that eliminates the need
> for a capacitor across the terminals of most bugs and almost
> completely eliminates the scratchy dot syndrome when it's properly
> adjusted.
>

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[EricJ-2]

In case others are wondering, is it model specific or can it be moved to
other bugs?

Eric
KE6US

On 6/3/2014 5:48 PM, Jim's Desktop wrote:
>
> I've been using one on each of my 4 bugs and it makes them sound
> really good on the air (within the limitations of my "fist") and it
> makes the bugs much easier to send decent CW with.

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