[CW] Oh, Those Scratchy Bug Dits!

[David J. J. Ring, Jr.]

Ken, WB2ART has pcb's that he had up made for the debouncer from QST, Sept. 1992.
He's supplied them to 2 hams who used them and said they work.
Contact him  directly wb2art at gmail.com - other recommended cures are 

I've attached the QST article.

Also a 555 circuit from Craig, G0KVL.

WB9KZY / Jackson Harbor Press / sells a "Bug Descratcher 3"  http://www.wb9kzy.com/bugde3.htm
The Bug Descratcher III kit is the third version of a circuit from the September 1992 issue of QST by WX7G, Dave Cuthbert. The Bug Descratcher III removes the "scratchiness" encountered with semi-automatic keys (bugs) due to contact bounce. It can also be used with straight keys. It features:

Bug Descratcher III  - 

A debounced output to eliminate scratchy sounding keying
Option: solid state relay (SSR) output to key nearly any rig (solid state, tube positive or tube negative keying voltage)
Available as a board only kit
Circuit board size: 1.25 x 1.5 inches
Operates from 9 to 13.8 volt battery or power supply
Minimizes the input to output delay (previous versions had about 6 mS of delay)
Price is $12.00, with SSR option $16, with enclosure $23, with enclosure & SSR $27 + shipping/handling
Note that enclosure box is New Old Stock and may require cleaning and/or filing (sanding) before use
printed documents are NOT included, please print/view your own from the pdf files provided

Curtis and MFJ keyers have a "straight key input" I run my semi-automatic keys, straight keys and sideswipers through this, the "Weight control" on my EK-43 Curtis keyer acts like a "dot fattener".

Merchant Marine (and Military Navy) CW operators have learned that heavier dots improve readability during static storms.

73

DR
N1EA