[Elecraft] OT: More complete information on the Dot Stabilizer for Bugs.

[Jim's Desktop]

More complete information pertaining to the "Dot Stabilizer" for 
semi-automatic "Bug" keys that helps eliminate the scratchy dots that 
occur due to "dot contact bounce" in many of them.

There is a technique for using a piece of high density foam that will 
cure many of the problems, but not all foam is created equal and while 
certainly cheaper, it doesn't always work in all instances as I found 
from over 6 months of experimenting.  Quite by accident I found the 
following information and have decided to attempt a resurrection of the 
device.

The theory and pictures of the McElroy original device can be seen at 
<http://artifaxbooks.com/dotstabilizer.htm> and Tom French, W1IMQ who 
owns and maintains that historical site, graciously posted links to 
several pictures of the ones that I make, mounted on 3 different make & 
models of my own bugs along with my email address. You can find the 
pictures and links near the bottom of that page.
The ones I currently make are specifically for the Vibroplex, Speed-X 
and McElroy keys that have the pendulum that the weights slide on. At 
this time, I do not make them for those with the flat pendulum such as 
the Vibroplex Lightning Bug, Champion or the old military J-36 bugs. I 
do, however, have a prototype in "beta test" that I believe will fit the 
flat pendulum keys so hopefully I'll be able to offer one for those 
models in the very near future.

Hope this clears up any questions.

Jim Sheldon - W0EB