[Elecraft] OT: optical sensor paddles

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Where I became closely aware of the problem was when a bug would develop
a weak hairspring. Then there would be substantial contact bounce
producing scratchy dots no matter how clean the contacts were. That was
very bad because in vacuum tube days the contacts carried significant
voltage at enough current to cause arcing and pitting. If they didn't
make a clean "make" and "break" the contacts were damaged very quickly.

I had heard of some ops putting padding in the hairspring of some bugs,
but I never fiddled with any bugs that seemed to need that fix. I run a
Vibroplex standard and an E.F. Johnson version of the Logan "Speed-X" as
my regular keys with my K2. Both from the 1950's. Then, if an op needs
me to work slower that 18-20 wpm, I'll be on my WWII-vintage J-38 "Hand
Pump". 

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289


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. ...
Happy Days...
Trev G3ZYY