A "normal" bug of any manufacture uses the thumb for dits and finger for dahs, just like you do now.
Some lefties learned to use a normal bug backwards and some lefties bought special left-handed bugs so they could make dits with their thumb and dahs with their finger just like right-handed operators on normal bugs. With the action of paddles being easily reversible in most newer rigs, I've seen more new operators learning their paddles "backwards". I guess it's all what one is used to. I used bugs for 20 years, then switched to paddles/keyer for 25 years before going back to a bug almost ten years ago. The big challenge I faced going back to a bug was learning to do my own spacing and making my own dahs again. I had gotten used to using a paddle as a simple "input" device for the keyer, telling it that I wanted a dit or dah next, and how many. The keyer logic took care of providing the proper spacing and lengths of dits and dahs for the speed I was using. A bug does none of that. A bug ONLY provides dits, and you must adjust the pendulum weight for the proper speed of the dits and the contact gap for the proper length of each dit when you change speed. While sending in "real time", the operator is responsible for making the right length dahs, setting the right spacing between dahs, dahs and dits, and between letters and words. Learning to do that properly in real time at whatever speed I wanted to use was the real challenge of returning to a bug. Some ops say they can do it in a flash. It took me weeks of practicing off the air, and I still do sending practice regularly (send a page out of the phone book, with numbers and addresses, then listen to it the next day to see if I like the "fist"). Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- Hi I presently own an Elecraft hex key and a speedex straight key, but have been thinking about buying a vibroplex bug to use in contest that don't allow electronic keyers. It's been 30 yrs since I have used a Vibroplex bug and was wondering which way it operates. Do you send the dits with the thumb and the dahs with the index finger? Or is it the reverse? I've been sending the dits with my thumb and the dahs with the index finger too long to try doing the oppsite. Even using a straight key tends to mess me up with the keyer. Thanks Scott N5SM _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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
