Hi David,
Your modifications are quite interesting. I'm wondering why you need such a wide spacing between the dip in the sides?
I also have an intrepid, I confess to not using it much since I greatly prefer a paddle. there is a video online, that I referred to, that address is 103 idea about how to set up the intrepid. It wasn't very helpful for me. Bruna has mentioned to me that her father is a total fan of bugs. The intrepid was intended to be the representation of his of what he thought would be the best bug possible, and a masterpiece for him, when I was finally done with my initial set up, it did take hours, I got it to work like a delicate  bug that could handle a range of speeds. Now it mostly sits on the back bench only to be used during an occasional SKCC event.
I am interested in your ideas regarding the wide spacing of the finger pieces. Do you know who that Begali has made this paddle in chrome. It was available in Dayton for $1000. It might have been the last one available.
I look forward to your strategy regarding spacing of the finger pieces.
73,
Phil, NE0S

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 15, 2023, at 17:02, David J. J. Ring, Jr. <[email protected]> wrote:


I have heard comments that Piero Begali's INTREPID bug is "big and clunky".

It is heavy, and it stays put on any operating desk.

But the mechanism itself is rather like a mechanical clock - not large like Vibroplex or Speed-X or McElroy, but quite delicate and responsive like a sports car but still being able to send at quite slow speeds.

Here a series of dots at the slowest speed my INTREPID sends at.  My INTREPID has been modified by my design to have an extra dash paddle, it's an ongoing prototype with Mr. Begali.

Video:  http://qsl.net/n/n1ea//tmp/slow_intrepid.mp4

I estimate the dot speed of this Begali prototype of a "Russian Bug with Two Paddles / Cootie Bug" style INTREPID as being 14 WPM.

Begali_Russian_Cootie_Bug.jpg

The big rails on either side of the delicate vibrator are to protect the vibrator and to hold the many adjustment screws.

A nice key, it took me a while to get used to it as it has a much lighter touch than a Vibroplex, McElroy or Speed-X semi-automatic - or any of the other speed keys I've ever used.  It's unique but it does a great job.

I think it's a delicate dancer that can do any type of dance, including Morse rock-and-roll or even chamber music.  It swings and rocks!

Highly recommended!

73
DR
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