The derelict E.F. Johnson Speed-X bug I wrote about last has been performing well as I've been using it for a couple of QSOs.
After the first contact, I adjusted the dot contact screw for more “contact” with the pendulum. The dits were mighty light, so the contact had to adjusted so the arm stayed in contact with the screw for a longer period of time, i.e., making the dits slightly longer.
Did you know that adjusting a bug isn't an inexact a science as you might believe. The best way to adjust a bug is by using a volt-ohmeter. The basic goal is to get the meter to register “high enough” a reading of resistance during a string of dits to show proper timing and spacing. I have not done this procedure on any of my bugs, preferring to use the WAG method (Wild-Ass Guess).
Actually, I don't guess. I go for what sounds right. I know what dit ratio I like, and I knew the Speed-X was too light on the dits. It's a fast little key, don't make any mistake about it. Even after I added a small Vibroplex weight AND my medium sized bug tamer (a bunch of solder wrapped around an alligator clip), the key was still running along at a pretty fast clip.
I tried to adjust the throw of the pendulum, to make it greater, in an effort to slow the key down. All that did was make it more awkward to use. The dit to dot transition was really screwy, and once that pendulum gets an overly long throw, you start cutting dits in half. It makes for some unnatural sounding CW.
I put it back the way it was and adjusted the dot adjustment screw for longer dots. When using a cw paddle, I prefer to send characters at a faster speed anyway, so the Speed-X really had a good feel to it. It sent characters about 18 wpm. All I had to do was to adjust the spacing between letters and words.
The only problem is my timing. I have trouble with my wrist getting lazy on the dit-to-dah transition, particularly on the number 4 and letter V.
My 1925 Vibroplex is slowed down so it sends characters are 13 wpm or so. I don't like waiting for the key to finish sending strings of dits, it's just awkward. The Speed-X has better timing in that respect.
And I'm enjoying using it on the air. The paddles aren't hard plastic but appear to be bakelite. They're original and the screws are frozen, so I can't adjust them. That's ok, I like them where they sit!
I worked Rodney, N4RAY, in Shelby, Alabama tonight on 80 CW, about 3690 kHz. He was running a Ten Tec (model unknown), 50 watts to an end-fed non-resonant dipole. He was 599 with me, so it was working. He said his son was giving him a G5RV for Christmas. I hear a lot of them on the air, but I'm not exactly a fan of them. There's a lot simpler multiband antennas out there, but it's not a bad deal to buy something ready to play.
Rodney could tell my keying was different, and he asked me about a straight key and if I was using one. I explained I was using an old bug that was similar to a Vibroplex key. It was too long a story to go into about the Speed-X, but I might write him a note about it. It was a great QSO. He had friends in Bowling Green, Ky., which was where I went to college.
I assumed Rodney was using a straight key, but apparently he was using a keyer; said he never used a straight key. I would suggest he buy one off eBay, as they're just too damn expensive to buy brand new. I told him I hope Santa brought him a new straight key for Christmas.
He asked me if I had a straight key; a funny question, considering all the keys I have on my desk, both straight key and semi-automatic!
We had a great QSO, one of those good ones that's more than name, rig and a signal report. I've copied the mail during his QSOs in the past, I remember his call. I'll look for him again.
I had an enjoyable QSO this afternoon on 10 meters.
When I turn the HF rig on for the day, particularly in the morning, I check the propagation. I have a routine I use too. I go straight to 10 meters. I'll give the SSB portion (28.3 to 28.5) a quick listen, then I'll tune from 28.1 to 28.3, looking for CW beacons. If I hear a beacon, I note the call and location if given. At least I know where 10 is open to.
This afternoon I heard two W7 beacons and a K5 coming in fairly well. I tuned up to 28.400 (the calling frequency) and called several long CQs. After two or three calls, I heard a 7-land call down in the noise calling me.
I wasn't sure we would have a QSO, but the signals came up on both ends. His name was Richard, and he was 2 hours south of Boise, Idaho. We had a nice 20 minute QSO, and then he ran for a sked he had set up on 40 meters. There was some QSB, but we had a great QSO. WX — he had 3 feet of snow on the ground, and they were having rain, of all things.
I'm going to keep using the Speed-X. It's not the fanciest key, but it's quickly earning a spot on my desktop.
That's about all I know right now. I'm going to go throw a log on the fire.
73 es CUL … de KY4Z …. dit dit …..