Wow! What a variety of experiences! I use two different bugs with my K2 and my K3: a Vibroplex Standard and the E.F. Johnson version of the Speed-X.
I solved the "scratchy dot" syndrome by cleaning the contacts with DeOxit. Buffing with paper worked, but only for a short time. A drop of DeOxit between the contacts for a minute before the excess is wiped off fixes the problem for months at a time. The knowledge of the "ancients" said that nominal current flowing through the contacts actually help keep them clean - as long as it's enough not to cause arcing. Modern rigs do not provide that current. Hence a film of condensed oils/dirt from the air collects on them raising the resistance when they are closed, causing the associated keying circuits to behave erratically. I wonder if the cap, which would charge up whenever the key is open, is able to provide sufficient current upon closure to avoid that happening? Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- I disagree. I use 3 different bugs with the K3 (GHD, Vibroplex), and have no such problem - but for years I've tucked a small piece of foam behind the dot contact spring to eliminate ragged dot syndrome. Also, the bug needs to be adjusted properly - with an old Simpson 260 across the bug, I adjust for a 50% of full scale (Rx100) resistance reading on a string of 8 - 10 dots. Bob NW8L On Tue, Sep 16, 2008 at 8:18 AM, Stephen Ellington <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Bugs will not work correctly with the K3 unless a capacitor is > installed across the key line. The TenTec Omni VII has the same exact > problem. Radio Shack sells a tiny Tantalum capacitor 1uf., which work > perfectly. You can actually install it inside an RCA plug or simply > slip the capacitor's leads under the screws of your bug. Cleaning the bug contacts has nothing to do with this. Steve N4LQ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
