[Elecraft] Using "bug" keyer with KX3 paddles

[Al Gulseth]

I think trying to emulate the "feel" (mechanical feedback) of a bug with an 
electronic keyer was the reason Vibroplex designed the Vibro-Keyer. I will 
leave it to others to judge whether they achieved that goal, but somebody 
must like them because they're still in production over 50 years later. I 
have one but not being a "bug" guy I've found I prefer a more conventional 
single-lever like the Kent SP-1 or the AME Bushwhacker. Again, no actual bug 
experience here, but the old Nye Viking SSK-1-K has a "manual" mode which 
sets the left paddle to key for however long it is pressed while the right 
paddle will still send dits at the keyer's set speed. If they can accomplish 
that it with '70s era CMOS technology it would seem like it would 
be "do-able" in today's technology. But, there may be some subtle points that 
I'm missing here, I've been known to achieve that before HI HI!!

Just my $0.02 worth....

73, Al
 
On Thu August 28 2014 11:02:56 pm Vic, K2VCO wrote:
> The most important feature of a bug isn't that the operator determines
> the length of the dahs. It is the mechanical feedback that the operator
> gets which (in the right hands) makes possible the rhythmic sending that
> can be so pleasing. No keyer emulation can possibly provide that.
>
> On 8/29/14 2:17 AM, Jim Sheldon wrote:
> > I just plug my bug into the key jack on the side and configure the
> > jack as a hand key in the menu.  I've found that the electronic bug
> > emulations in keyers sound terrible on the air when I try to use
> > them.  I can at least generate reasonably decent CW with my real
> > bugs.
> >
> > Jim - W0EB