KO4WFP Bug On the Air 7-2-2024

Learning to use the bug on the air with Straight Key Century Club QSOs for the Triple Key Award

[@EWSRadio]

I had a bug back when dinosaurs roamed the earth. I bought it used for less than $20, and it was a lot of fun. Don't know what happened to it, but I haven't seen it since the 1960s.

[@SeanWalberg]

Sounding good Teri. Hope to get you in the log again soon. Maybe I'll work up the courage to get my bug on the air :) 73 de Sean N3RTW (PS your C&H QSL card is among my favorites!)

[@wmb2292]

Hey Terri. I have been a bug user for almost 25 years and it definitely takes some practice to master but it is a lot of fun. If I may make an adjustment suggestion … I noticed in the video that the pendulum arm does a lot of wobbling after you let go of the paddles. When at rest the pendulum arm should just lightly touch the damper at the rear. If you loosen the damper adjustment screw at the back and move the damper slightly, just enough for it to touch the pendulum arm, you’ll get rid of that wobble. This should make the transitions between dits and dahs easier. Keep up the good work. 73 de Michael VE3WMB

[@davidryeburn6446]

Congratulations on trying a bug. I learned how to use a bug, a cheap imported eastern European one, way back in I think 1950 when I was a high school student. (In those days things imported from post-war Eastern Europe filled the role that things imported from the Far East fill now.) Some years later a young ham at my University club station (W8LT) for whom I had been sort of an Elmer gave me a very nice Vibroplex bug with jeweled bearings as a thank-you. A few years later when I was married and had three kids and no money I regretfully sold that Vibroplex. I had already sold my transmitting equipment, and before that my receiver had been stolen so I couldn't use my transmitters (one on 80 m and one on 40 m). So except for Field Days and occasional use of other people's rigs, I was off the air and the bug wasn't being used. Plus I was broke. But I regretted giving up that nice Vibroplex bug. Then I moved to Canada and became unlicensed. I got my Canadian license in 2013 some time after retirement, bought a KX3, and bought a cheap paddle. Using a paddle, and the circuitry inside the KX3 to make automatic dahs as well as automatic dits, came pretty easily. Soon thereafter I got a US license too. But still no bug. I wonder how I'd do with one, now? I used to be pretty good with the beautiful Vibroplex. Let me suggest that your dahs are generally too light. You want dits and the spaces between them (or between any parts of one letter) to be of equal length. And you want your dahs to be three times as long as your dits. Listen carefully to what happens when you use a paddle on your KX2. It might help to record your own sending when you are using a bug, and then play it back and listen to it at half speed. You can easily do this with the software on a Mac, and I'm sure you must be able to do it with a Windows computer too, but don't ask me how. This half speed listening will exaggerate everything and show you exactly what you want to do. Another thing: I noticed that between letters, the pendulum of your bug continued vibrating. Most bugs have something which the far end of the pendulum can contact, to damp vibration out. If adjusted correctly, that will make the thing stop vibrating soon after your thumb comes off of the paddle. Try it, and you will like how it sounds. Keep enjoying using Morse code. One good thing about it is, like learning how to ride a bicycle, lack of use slows you down but you can bounce back when you resume. I was off the air for about 45 years and my code speed (receiving) had dropped from about 50 wpm to about 25 wpm (not the 0 wpm some of my friends had predicted). Now it's back up around 40 wpm. Perhaps I'll work you one of these days. David VE7EZM

[@janiceemery2008]

Great job and thank you for sharing. I am just learning to use the paddles. I bought the tiny paddles and just order the BaMaKeY TP-III. I had been using a straight key but, I think I like the paddles better. Thank you again for sharing. KO4UWU 73

[@potababe]

I've heard great stuff about the BaMaKey and am thinking about adding one to my shack at some point. I hope you like it. Thank you for the comment! Keep having fun with CW!

[@liviucris1105]

Hello there, well even you have hard time to figure out receiving, i.m sorry, with all do respect that key more makes your life harder ,other then that u are nice lady and thanks for sharing this vidéo, admire ur passion, good lock!

[@potababe]

You are most welcome and thank you for your comment.

[@RamblinManJoe]

Nice video and bug! I've been also working on sending with a bug on the air. With my code buddies, sometimes they don't know I'm on a bug. I switch between straight key and bug, depending on the speed I am receiving. 73 Joe KF0DQU CWI Alumni

[@potababe]

Thank you Joe for the comment. This is the first video I've made. You've had a great fist in the past so I can imagine it is great on the bug, too. Good to see you are still enjoying CW!

[@germanx5616]

Sehr gut!

[@potababe]

Danke!

[@remmington2222]

Glad your trying bugs. I have several bugs,cooties,straight keys and iambic keys. If you hang with a bug a lot,try the Begali intrepid bug. Its nothing like any other bug. Its a masterpiece of sending cw. No other bug even compares to it. Keep it up. Dave,KQ4CW. 73.

[@potababe]

Thanks for the encouragement, Dave!

[@KO4DFJRadio]

I have a galaxy bug and struggling with it and I’m learning CW on a paddle. Love the big and hope to be brave enough to GOTA

[@potababe]

The bug is a difficult key to learn and do well so be patient with yourself. If you know the code, you are ready to get on the air. I took my first step in the Slow Speed Test (SST) from K1USN. I managed to work one station that first time and was very happy with that first step. It grew gradually from there to two QSOs, eventually to four, etc. and then running my own frequency for the SST. The most important thing you can do is take that FIRST step. You will survive and, with determination and persistance, you will build up your confidence and experience.

[@carlosroig5315]

You should increase the speed between dahs or lower the dits to achieve the 3:1 dot dash ratio. I see your edits are set to minimum on the pendulum, probably a " bug tamer " or adding an extra weight will do the job. Keep un practicing and making contacts. 73's