I shouldn't really complain about The Liberty Net. I've listened to the net since before I was a ham, and it's often provided some interesting food for thought.
But my thoughts are turned toward semi-automatic code keys — bugs, of course. I've got photos of my latest acquisition in my shack.
Here she is, a 1920 Vibroplex Original bug. The finger pieces are probably not original, but were a 
replacement some time later. The key worked for a living as evidenced by the heavy wear on the contacts. The base of the key is in good shape, with the gold pinstriping being intact all the way around. I have yet to clean any of this key's parts, largely because it has an original Vibroplex bug logo decal on it. I can't replace that decal and I'm fairly certain that cleaning the key base will likely damage the decal. The nickel plated parts need substantial cleaning, but I've not done it yet.
Interestingly enough, once I clean up the contacts the key played quite well. It is only equipped with a single weight, so I added my “bug tamer” to it to slow it down some. It works like a champ — an 86-year-old key still going strong.
The key was sold on eBay with a Western Union sounder. The sounder works very well, and in fact, I had the bug and sounder hooked up this week. What a different sound the clack-clack-clack of the sounder makes, particularly when you're used to the beep beep beep of the Morse code by radio.
This isn't my favorite key, but its close to it.
My regular desk bug is this as-found Les Logan Speed-X T-bar key. I never cleaned it when it arrived. I got it fairly cheap — these bugs seem to command fairly high prices and are popular with collectors. Evidently no one was watching this auction too closely.
Anyway, this Speed-X bug is sweet to operate. It's amazing how well it worked right out of the shipping box from wherever it came. I only gave it some simple adjustments and its the smoothest key I have. I love the thing! I've put off cleaning it up because I don't want to ruin its smooth action. However its adjusted, its working very well. I can't improve on its operation, and I would rather use it and be happy, lol!
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I got an email from a county hunter who needs my county on CW. He wants a sked, and I figured what the heck! I ought accommodate the gent. I'll let you know how that works out.
73 es CUL … de KY4Z … sk dit dit …..