[Elecraft] "Bug" for K2

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

At the risk of raising the ire of some real OT bug ops, I'll venture the
opinion that the biggest difference between the various Vibroplex bugs =
is
cosmetic. They currently only make ONE "bug" and it comes with either =
black
winkle paint on the base or a gold-plated base.=20

I have a 1960's model Vibroplex "Standard" that I use from time to time. =
The
biggest issue with it is getting the thing to slow down properly. With =
the
largest Vibroplex weights it runs well over 20 wpm. I inherited it from =
a
friend who is now an SK. When he used it in commercial service, he put a
cable clamp on the pendulum to get it to slow down. There's a picture of =
my
old friend using it with the weight attached at:
http://www.radiomarine.org/historic-5.html
I still use it just that way with a cable clamp. =20

I also use an E.F. Johnson version of the famous Logan "Speed-X" design.
I've had that key since the early 1950's. It has a much nicer
easier-to-change weight adjustment mechanism than the Vibroplex and will
slow down to about 15 to 18 wpm without "help". I use it more because of =
the
weight adjustment system and because I'm used to the slender "flat =
paddle"
design.=20

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
I'm thinking about getting a Vibroplex bug to use with my K2 for =
Christmas=20
(memories from years ago)!  Any suggestions on which model to go with?  =
My=20
code speed is under 20 wpm.

I do have a Vibroplex Iambic key that I use with the K2 built-in keyer =
but=20
I'd like to turn the clock back 50 years.

73, Lynn, K5AVJ
K2 #1411...