PA3CLQ's Leuke Linken Nr. 360

 

Teaching code:Your thoughts? Morse Secrets

An Old CW Op and a New CW Op were out in a fishing boat one day.
The New CW Op said "I wish I could operate CW as well as you."
Not saying a thing, The Old CW Op scratched his chin, set down his fishing pole and grabbed the New CW Op by the back of his head and pushed his face underwater outside the fishing boat, and held him there fighting for a long time.

After a while he released the New CW Op.
"Why'd you do that?" the New CW Op wailed, gasping for air.
The Old CW Op just leaned back and said, "When you want to learn CW as much as you wanted to breathe; then you will learn CW."
Bill Kasper.

REM :

For what it's worth, I used "Learn CW Online" at:

http://lcwo.net/

The website is free and doesn't require any downloads.

I started learning around 8 wpm until I got all the letters and symbols down, then cranked it up a bit, until I felt I could hold my own on the air.
I'm definitely not a speedster, but I have no reason to be.

I can comfortably send and copy at 12 to 15 wpm and it serves me well.
Steve AI9IN

REM :

If anyone wants them, I have MP3 files of the Ameco code practice LPs.

They are on my web server,

www.kg4kgl.net

You can get them via FTP.

Username: cwfiles@kg4kgl.net

Password: cwfiles

Robert KG4KGL

 

Airplane home

https://mancave.conrad.nl/airplane-home-wonen-in-een-omgebouwde-boeing-727/

The first LED
https://mancave.conrad.nl/retroweek-de-eerste-led/

Moonshine

https://mancave.conrad.nl/moonshine-sterke-drank-stook-je-lekker-thuis/

Fishing with a heli'

https://mancave.conrad.nl/vissen-met-een-rc-helikopter/

Faster than a bugatti

https://mancave.conrad.nl/sneller-dan-een-bugatti-veyron-in-een-opel/

Destroyer

https://mancave.conrad.nl/de-allesvernietigende-machine/

White noise machine hear dead people

https://mancave.conrad.nl/maak-een-white-noise-machine-hear-dead-people/

http://www.8minutesleep.com/

To make one

http://makezine.com/projects/custom-white-noise-machine/

Homemade nuclear fusion reactor

https://mancave.conrad.nl/energiek-project-je-eigen-nucleaire-fusiereactor/

Clean water & energy

https://mancave.conrad.nl/h2pro-schoon-water-en-groene-energie-uit-1-apparaat/

A CONRAD production

REM : QSP pa3clq

 

Bug Debounce / Descratcher using LMC555

Yet another Bug debounce circuit using an LMC555 as a Schmitt trigger with an RC debouncer input.
http://www.kn5l.net/debounce555/

John KN5L

REM :

A properly adjusted bug doesn't need any additional circuits, just adjust it properly and connect directly to the rig.

I have had several bugs and never had any "bounce".

My radio is Ham Radio...CW is Real Radio
73, John...K8JD

REM :

Some rigs need it, some rigs don't, as it depends on how closely the rig follows the contact resistance.
Some rigs detect the minute changes in resistance, thus a scratchy sound. I have had a bug with no noise
on one rig, but the next rig, it is there.
Joe V31JP
REM :

I completely agree John.

Been using CW and bugs for 60 years (many rigs and many different bugs) and I've never found one that needed anything but proper adjustment.

And speaking about adjustments, I am amazed at the number of comments I've seen about keys "becoming maladjusted".

I must be doing something wrong because my keys almost never need any adjustment except for the speed. Oh well....
Just my 2 cents. Tony, W4FOA

REM :

Joe V31JKP is correct.
My bug had ZERO bounce oir scratch UNTIL I used it with a Tentec OMNI VII.
Several of the newer rigs will do this because they closely follow the contact resistance and react faster to the noises created by bug contacts.
I have used bugs for decades and never had the problem before.
Bry, AF4K

REM :

Hi Bry, you are correct, the issue is highly rig and bug dependent.
I used the phrase "yet another" because Bug dot bounce and scratching has been an issue for many decades.

Google bug "dot stabilizer" will result with some history.
An example is at:

http://artifaxbooks.com/dotstabilizer.htm

The bottom of the above link is a reference to W0EB's dot stabilizers.

I tried one and it did reduce Dot bounce, but did not eliminate it.
I have a NOS Vibroplex J-36 which also has pivot noise.

Pivot noise results with Dash bounce.

Early Vibroplex "Deluxe" bugs included a ground strap or "pigtail" between the frame and pivot arms.

An example, look for copper braid near the shorting switch:
http://vintagevibroplex.com/214btg4.JPG

There are other electronic solutions, for example, Bug Descratcher III kit

http://wb9kzy.com/bugde3.htm

My 555 debouncer worked quite well yesterday during my SKCC operating with my 70's vintage Vibroplex Original.

Thanks for the Qs everyone and 73.
John KN5L 11755T

REM :

Very good, John.
Yes, the whole circuit conductivity comes into play with a key and, in particular, with bugs.
The early Deluxe bugs did not have the ground braid and it did solve the problem.

I try to differentiate between "contact bounce" and "scratchy dots" as they are actually two different issues, but often display/sound alike or similar.
Properly, contact bounce is when the two contacts have varying resistance during their operation.

This goes from minute resistance changes to complete opening and closing at very short intervals, the classic bounce.

This has been dealt with in relays for years and is one of the reasons for my sparse hair on top.

There are many ways of dealing with this, including proper tensioning, proper contact finishing and contact materials.
I had a problem with a relatively new TW Olympic bug.

It would miss the first dit on occasions when going from making a dah.

The Ollie uses ball bearing for arbour pivots and there is a spring that goes from each, dot and dash bars to ground.

The one on the dot bar was not pinched enough for a good/consistent ground.

Tightening one screw solved the problem.

So, the whole circuit continuity must be taken into account.
Problems in both areas can present quite confusing symptoms, I can assure you.

The marriage between mechanical and electrical actions is not always blissful.

Joseph L. Pontek (Joe) V31JP 

 

For the lovers off....

For converting paper logs into electronic format you may use FLE from DF3CB at:

http://www.df3cb.com/

It is a phantastic program for FastLoggingEdit and optimized for such converting.
And he wrote BV7 for a phantastic tool for label print - you will ask yourself, why I did not found it before?
Within BV8 there will be an addon to have a very quick logging for QSL-cards - but this take some time.
Peter DF1LX

 

Hello friends,
Please have a look at Geoff's - G4CPA latest creation: the "Welsh Zinger" sideswiper:
http://www.sideswipernet.org/keys/g4cpa-keys.php#welsh_zinger_proto

Congratulations Geoff, the instrument sounds great and Welsh slate goes well with all that gold, Carrara marble and Baccarat crystal in the Palace.
Have a nice weekend folks, BCNU.

http://www.sideswipernet.org/

73, Yann, F5LAW


 

pa3clq@casema.nl

My simple website about Gigantic DF-Antennas

Part 1 "DF-Antenna Wullenweber Array"

Part 2 "DF-Antenna USSR Variants"

Part 3 "DF-Antenna USA Variants"

Next Part 4 "USSR OTHRA DUGA 1,2 & 3" at:

www.pa3clq.nl/