[Elecraft] OT: Still making Dot Stabilizers for Bugs

[Jim Sheldon]

CW operators and bug key users, I haven't posted this blurb on the "Dot 
Stabilizer" I make for about a year so I decided to make a Christmas 
price reduction effective immediately and it will continue until 
December 31, 2017.  Please send any inquiries direct to me rather than 
post them to the reflector to keep Eric happy and clutter to a minimum - 
LOL.

Jim Sheldon - W0EB


Semi-automatic "BUG" key Dot Stabilizer Information:

Back in the late 1920's early 1930's, T.R. "Ted" McElroy (Morse copying 
World Champion) who also manufactured telegraph keys, came up with a 
nice innovation he called his "Dot Stabilizer" which pre-loaded the 
vibrating dot contact spring by a very small amount, effectively 
ensuring better dot weighting and came very close to completely 
eliminating the contact bounce which creates what many call "scratchy 
dot syndrome". This device required replacing the existing dot contact 
assembly with his stabilizer and fit only the McElroy manufactured keys. 
For some unknown reason, most information on this device was either lost 
or ignored during the WW2 years and after.

After accidentally rediscovering it a couple of years ago, I undertook a 
slight redesign of McElroy's original device to eliminate the necessity 
for replacing the vibrating dot contact assembly. This makes the device 
easily installed and removed at any time with simple tools. I also came 
up with a further variation on McElroy's design that can be used on even 
the "Flat Pendulum" bugs such as the Vibroplex Lightning Bug, Military 
J-36 and Champion models as well as various copies of them and even the 
Japanese Hi Mound "Coffin" bug.

I currently make "Dot Stabilizers" for the Vibroplex, Speed-X and 
McElroy keys having the round pendulum and bugs with the flat pendulum, 
such as the Vibroplex Lightning Bug, Champion and WW2 military J-36 bugs 
(including the Lionel models) which are based on the Lightning Bug 
design. I can also manufacture them for other bugs such as the Japanese 
Hi Mound ("Coffin") bug, European made (metric sizes) bugs, etc. as long 
as you can supply me with the diameter (round) or thickness (flat) of 
the pendulum and a sharply focused digital photo of the actual bug you 
want it for. (I only need photos and pendulum dimensions for bugs other 
than the McElroy and Vibroplex models.)

They can be made out of either aluminum or brass though aluminum is the 
preferred material as it is far less expensive. They mount to the arm 
with a socket head set screw and the proper Allen wrench is included 
along with a printed set of instructions explaining installation and 
proper adjustment. Also, they are made entirely by hand so there may be 
slight differences between each one (won't affect the operation at all).

The prices are normally $28.50 post paid for the aluminum and $38.50 for 
the brass ones to domestic USA customers.  I'm offering a Christmas 
special price reduction from now until the end of the year.  Due to 
large postage increases and the extra, complicated Customs forms I need 
to fill out for export, this Christmas offer is just for USA domestic 
customers.

I'm offering my standard Dot Stabilizers in Aluminum for $22.50 each 
which includes postage and 32.50 each for the brass variety, also 
postage included.

If you decide to order one or more, I will need the make/model of the 
bug(s) you want stabilizers for, whether they are "left" or "right" 
handed (the bug, not you) and be sure to include your mailing address as 
well.

I take personal checks, USPS money orders (made out to Aubrey J. 
Sheldon) sent to my QRZ listed address (2029 East Evanston Dr., Park 
City, KS 67219-1618) or PayPal to w0eb at cox.net

I'll be happy to answer any further questions you may have.

Please email inquiries direct to w0eb at cox.net not to the reflector.

Jim Sheldon - W0EB
2029 East Evanston Dr.
Park City, KS 67219-1618