[Elecraft] [K3] Wetting current and CW paddles (Rich NE1EE)

[JOE]

Back in the 1960's-1970's I spent many hours cleaning contacts when I 
worked at the local telephone company. Relays that had little or no 
current flowing through the contacts usually would only have to be 
cleaned with paper, known as Bell Seal Bond Paper 20. If this did not 
work, we used a contact burnisher tool.  These low or no current flow 
contacts would usually only have dirt buildup and did not need any sort 
of filing to clean them up. Filing contacts usually just damages the 
contact surface. The scratcher from a pack of matches can also be too 
abrasive. Plain white paper would be a good choice.

Contacts need tension, and in some cases "follow". Follow is where the 2 
contacts come together, then continue to move or follow each other 
together, for a distance. This helps to clean the contacts and keep them 
clean. If they just touch, there is a possibility of contact bounce.

73, Joe, K1ike