[CW] Bug Adjustments

[CW@alliedinformation.com]

Larry:

This will do the trick. Its pretty simple, but if I am not describing it 
well enough, let me know. I can whip up a quick drawing and send it to you.

I'm not sure about terminology for a relay, but I think the two types of 
terminals are called "contact" terminals and one pair of "coil" 
terminals.  The coil terminals control the relay and when current is sent 
through them as a closed circuit, the relay electro-mechanically closes the 
switch inside for the "contact" terminals.

Basically, I made a simple cable for my FT-100D's key socket and ran the 
two leads onto two contacts of an el-chepo relay. In its natural state, the 
relay is not active and the contact terminals produce an open circuit. I 
then ran a lead from a 12 volt power supply to one terminal on my bug. 
Another lead goes from the other terminal on my bug to one of the coil 
terminals on the relay. The other coil terminal on the relay gets a lead 
for the negative 12 volt power sully connection (or ground).

Thus, when I throw the bug pendulum, it closes the circuit. This in turn 
activates the coil in the relay which snaps shut the contacts and makes a 
closed circuit for the keyer circuit in the rig. The 12 volts and the 
nature of the relay gives me an instantly crisp and razor sharp open/close 
of the rig's keyer circuit.

Here's a web page with a great picture of a relay and its workings.

http://www.kpsec.freeuk.com/components/relay.htm

I hope that explains it. I have had people suggest capacitors across the 
terminals and other such ideas to get a clean contact, but nothing worked. 
The second I put together my relay contraption, it worked fantastic and I 
have not used anything else.

All you need to do this is a 1/4" (or 1/2") male jack for your particular 
rig's key connection, some wire, a 12 volt wall-wort (or less if the relay 
needs it) and a simple relay (12 volt or whatever you can get.) Its pretty 
simple. It works really with any manual key (bug or otherwise) It cleans up 
even my old J-44 straight key nicely. But if you still want a drawing or 
some pics of my setup, let me know. Happy to send you some.

73'

Matt, KB8WFH