[Elecraft] first straight key

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

My sense is that keyers have done a lot to keep CW popular. They have
certainly made it much easier to have a good fist and a fast fist. 

A bug, like a straight key, requires that YOU do all the "work" to make
the elements the correct length and to insert the proper spacing between
elements, letters and words. For those ops who have grown used to the
self completing and automatic spacing functions of a keyer, trying a
straight key or a bug can be a shock, Hi! 

Of course, the bug makes the dots "automatically". You must still adjust
it mechanically to provide the proper ratio of dot length to spacing
between dots (weighing). The "trick" in using a bug is in learning to
make dashes manually the right length to go with the dots, learning stop
the dots at the right instant, and inserting the correct spacing
between everything. 

I find it a challenge, but an interesting one. I got my first (and still
favorite) bug in the 1950's - an E. F. Johnson version of Logan's
"Speed-X" design. About 1980 I built an "Accu-keyer" and learned to use
Iambic paddles, and used a keyer for 20 years before going "back" to my
bug and straight key simply because I wanted to. I can't switch between
them. My fist completely "forgets" how to make dashes or insert proper
spacing within an hour or so on the keyer. So I had to quit the keyer
"cold turkey" if I wanted to be able to use my bug again. (It wasn't a
problem switching between a keyer and straight key for me, just trying
to move between keyer and paddles and a bug). 

If you've never used a bug, I would suggest finding someone with a bug
who you can visit. And there's far more difference in the "feel" and
action of different types of bugs that I've ever noticed between paddles
on a keyer.

Furthermore, the new GHD bugs have a very different feel from
traditional bugs, from what I understand. I have not used one. They also
offer "double paddle" arrangements. That's something almost unheard of
in traditional bugs. Many traditional bugs (like the Speed-X) have what
appear to be two paddles but they are actually attached to the same
lever. 

Certainly Vibroplex bugs are the most popular today. Perhaps that's
because there was such a tremendous number of them made, and they are
still being manufactured!  I have one as well as my Speed-X. Not wanting
to offend anyone, I will say that I prefer the Speed-X. I think it is
what one is "used to" as much as anything else. 

Ron AC7AC
K2 # 1289

-----Original Message-----
I would appreciate comments on keyers, (although the K2 has one built
in, does it not?) and what people think of bugs.  I have admired the
McElroy and the Vibroplex bugs, but they cost bulk dollars in Oz terms
and I don't want to make an outlay without gaining some general advice.

Thanks

Kevin
VK3DAP / ZL2DAP