[CW] Oh, Those Scratchy Bug Dits!

[William Cromwell]

Thank you Stan,

All this time I thought it was *me*. I wondered why some radios were easier.

73,

Bill KU8H

bark less - wag more

On 12/22/21 8:51 PM, Stan Levandowski wrote:
>  I've been using the Jackson Harbor WB9KZY de-scratcher for many 
> years.  It works FB.  However, I never needed it with any of my 
> Elecraft radios.  I moved from Elecraft to a TS-590SG, then a TS-890S, 
> then an IC-7300 and recently to an FTdx-10.  Every one of those rigs 
> needed my de-scratcher. Last month, I decided to return to my roots 
> and sold the FTdx-10 and bought an Elecraft KX2 along with the KXPA100 
> amp and its internal ATU.  Now I'm back to not needing any de-scratcher!
>
> I have an opinion:  I think Elecraft is purpose built to serve the CW 
> community and everything else comes along for the ride.  I suspect 
> that many other manufacturers put CW at the bottom of their list.  
>  Elecraft appears to have built in "de-scratching" to their internal 
> keyers when in "hand" mode. Just my suspicion.  In my experience the 
> IC-7300 was the "scratchiest" of all.
>
> 73, Stan WB2LQF
>
> On Wed, Dec 22, 2021 at 8:28 PM David J. J. Ring, Jr. <n1ea at arrl.net 
> <mailto:n1ea at arrl.net>> wrote:
>
>     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 <mailto: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 <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
>
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