[CW] T.R. McElroy Bug

Mon Nov 19 15:59:22 EST 2018

    I think McElroy also used suction cup feet on a couple of 
models.
    Also, I have a couple of TAC bugs (Keyhole bugs). They were 
very cheap when new but are quite smooth, as good as a Vibroplex. 
Ted McElroy seems to have been a partner in TAC. I've not seen 
much about the history of this company except that it was a 
partnership TRM got into. TAC stuff was made in Chicago.
    I don't have any of the McElroy bugs, tried several times to 
bid on one on ebay but was always beat out at the last second and 
for much higher prices than I wanted to pay. I may eventually 
find on, either a deluxe or a stream key.
    My mentor (I hate the term Elmer) had a stream key. It was 
quite heavy.
    I do think the smoothness of a bug is partially a matter of 
having it aligned and adjusted right. The instructions for 
adjusting I've found say nothing about getting the pendulum 
properly centered both vertically and laterally. It does make a 
difference.
On 11/19/2018 11:23 AM, Benny K5KV wrote:
> STAN
> 
> I DONT RECALL ANY BUG HEAVIER THAN THE MAC.   IF IT DOESNT STAY PUT,
> YOU NEED TO REPLACE THE AGE HARDENED FEET.
> 
> 73
> BENNY K5KV
> On Mon, Nov 19, 2018 at 12:54 PM stan levandowski <sjl219 at optonline.net> wrote:
>>
>> Thanks much, David. The guy who sells the spring pre-tensioners is Jim, W0EB.  I bought a couple for Vibroplexes and they work OK (i.e., "reduce" but not "eliminate").  I found that a piece of foam works about as good but doesn't LOOK good.  The best and most complete solution I've found is a WB9KZY $12.00 kit called the "Bug Descratcher."  I built two and they work to totally eliminate contact bounce.  The kit is cheap and easier than searching for a circuit diagram and ordering the parts.  Runs a couple years on a 9 volt battery but NG for direct boat anchor use, of course.
>>
>> http://wb9kzy.com/bugde3.htm
>>
>> Regarding the MAC Deluxe, I'm going to mix myself a rum and coke (former sailor here), start a fire and give this some real serious thought this afternoon.
>>
>> ONE LAST QUESTION:  HOW HEAVY IS IT COMPARED TO A VIBROPLEX?  I'M A REAL SLAPPER which is why I bought a right angle bug because the direction of force favors me.
>>
>> 73, Stan
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Nov 19, 2018 at 01:14 PM, D.J.J. Ring, Jr. wrote:
>>
>> The first Mac key looks like it has the dot pre tensioner.  This loads the U shaped dot spring do the dots don't sputter.
>>
>> Excellent bug, can send very fast effortlessly.
>>
>> I have one and I brought it to sea and it slid off the desk during a big storm.
>>
>> I used my Vibroplex Original since then, but the Mac Deluxe is a better key.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> DR
>>
>> On Mon, Nov 19, 2018, 12:40 stan levandowski <sjl219 at optonline.net wrote:
>>>
>>> I have never owned a true vintage bug, assuming that modern day
>>> equipment would be far superior in terms of operation and reliability.
>>>
>>>
>>> I presently  use a KN4YB right angle bug and I'm entirely satisfied with
>>> it.
>>>
>>>
>>> There are two McElroy bugs presently on eBAY.  They are talking to me...
>>>
>>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/183537880447?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649
>>>
>>>
>>> https://www.ebay.com/itm/1939-TR-McElroy-MAC-Deluxe-Telegraph-Key-Bug-in-Original-Box-Near-NOS/153266745299?epid=8018368966&hash=item23af68efd3:g:LJ0AAOSwZ~ha2123:rk:1:pf:0
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Questions:  Is it likely that an 80 year old instrument will hold up to
>>> daily use?  Do these vintage keys present with lots of contact bounce?
>>> Does any lister own one of these and is it heavy enough to withstand a
>>> heavy hand?  Does it like the speed range 18-25 wpm?
>>>
>>>
>>> Comments and opinions from those of you who know about these things
>>> would be very much appreciated.
>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks and 73,
>>>
>>>
>>> Stan WB2LQF
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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-- 
Richard Knoppow
1oldlens1 at ix.netcom.com
WB6KBL