[Elecraft] OT: optical sensor paddles

[Ed Tanton]

Sorry Trevor... there isn't anyone else I know who would agree that they 
could not recognize a bug on the air. I am not saying it's a terrible 
thing-just that it's VERY distinctive. Good CW skills make a difference in 
that-especially at higher CW speeds... but even then, when I've heard 
people MUCH BETTER than I am on a bug sending, I've been confident they 
were bugs. It IS (sometimes) subtle... I did have to listen on occasion to 
be sure-but my first thought-even in those cases-was: Gee... if that's a 
bug this guy is good! And surely enough, they prove to be bugs eventually. 
That isn't due to the sending style, but rather there's just that 
distinctive make and break they always produce. I also suspect that the 
method of keying within the transmitter and its time-constant(s) could make 
a difference as well.

I'd LOVE to see a picture (or more!) of that ISTR 'Eagle' bug-although with 
it being a long time ago, I suppose it's gone by now?

At 04:47 AM 2003-02-14, Trevor Day wrote:

>Thats certainly not my experience Ron,  I haven't used a standard bug in 
>20 years or so but I well remember having to pad the hairspring with a 
>small piece of synthetic sponge to prevent contact bounce.  It was 
>certainly common practice amongst  my contemporaries.  This may of course 
>be a function of the make of bug.  The ones I refer to were far eastern in 
>origin ISTR made by 'Eagle' with a cast iron base and a clear perspex lid!
>
>Happy Days...
>Trev G3ZYY
>
> > Ron D'Eau Claire <rondec@easystreet.com> writes
>>Gee, Ed, that's not my experience with bugs (been using 'em for 30 of
>>the last 50 years on the air).
>>
>>I've put my rigs on a scope a few times and haven't detected any "make"
>>bounce, nor does it makes sense to me to expect any.
>--
>Trevor Day

73 Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@earthlink.net>

Ed Tanton N4XY
189 Pioneer Trail
Marietta, GA 30068-3466

website: http://www.n4xy.com

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