RattleTap, the Bug QSO party, - Sept. 27-28

[n3bf]

RattleTap - for bug enthusiasts.

RattleTap will be held 2100-0100 UTC September 27-28, 2003. #The purpose of RattleTap is to provide an operating event for those who enjoy using a semiautomatic mechanical keying device ("bug") during ragchew QSOs. #There are no particular frequency designations. #However, some bug operators regularly use 30-50 KHz above the band edge for QSOs (e.g., 7.030 - 7.050 MHz). #

Exchange: When participating in Rattle Tap 2003, send "BUG" or "RST" prior to a signal report.

Entries: RattleTap is not a contest. #However, please submit a list of stations worked, the type and model of bug used in the event, your vote for best bug operator you worked, soapbox comments, and your photographs. Entries should be e-mailed to rattletap@collegiatehams.com or sent via regular mail to "RattleTap", P.O. Box 150232, Alexandria, Virginia 22315 U.S.A. Surface mail entries must be postmarked no later than October 15; e-mail entries must be transmitted no later than 0400 UTC on October 16. Event results will be posted in November on the BUGS (http://www.qth.com/collegiate/bugs.htm) web site.

Questions? #Contact rattletap@collegiatehams.com.

[K3ESE]

How wonderful...a relaxing event where the dits are sent at 60 wpm, and the dahs are sent at 8 wpm! 8^D

[K4JSR]

DAAAAAAAAAAAAAHDIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
DIDIDIDAAAAAAAAAAHDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
DIT DIDIDIT DIT
Now as Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington sang about CW,
"It don't mean a thing if you ain't got that swing"!!!!!
DIDAH! DIDAH! DIDAH!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif #But mostly #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

# # # # # # 73, #Cal K4JSR

Sorry Lloyd, my fevered mind made me say it!

[K3ESE]

Actually, it'd be more like, "DAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH HHHHHHH DIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHDAAAAAA HHHHHHHH #DIDIDIT DIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIDIT DIDIDIDIDIT... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif # #

[KB8WFH]

I have been told on various QSO's that they thought I was using an electronic keyer until I told them I was using a bug. I'll bet someone elses $50 most people can't tell that I am running a bug.

Yes, it can be done and done very well. Just have to practice and know when you sending good code and when you are sending slop.

Looking forward to participating in the event.

Matt, KB8WFH
FISTS 9179
Vibroplex Blue Racer 2000 brass pounder

[K4JSR]

Actually, this is an excellent chance to *BUG* both the
no-coders and the know-coders! At last we can irritate
everyone equally!!!! Isn't America great? We have finally
achieved equality in bugging people! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
I have enough trouble with an iambic keyer. I keep trying
to send poetry! Some folks have said that I am "hamophobic"
because I prefer to use a "straight" key.
Oh well, I guess it will just have to give all of us a "DAHS"
for reflection! :-@ (Run from room screaming!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
73 again,
Cal K4JSR

[K3ESE]

Lest it be said of me that I was intolerant to those of the bug persuasion, yes, absolutely, I do know there are many ops out there who play a bug like a stradivarius, and that's a very good thing.

# Unfortunately, as we all know, the ops we think of when we think of semi-automatic keying are the ones who proudly exaggerate what they think of as the "swing," the "personality" of the device, to the point of nausea. The good ones? Who knows they're using a bug?

# #I do appreciate manual skills, though, and operate 100% CW, so I'd rather listen to a "swing session" anyday than guys talking about their gun collection over the repeater... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[k7fd]

I just recently switched from a keyer to a bug and WHAT A BLAST!! I'd forgotten how much FUN it is to really master the timing...

...and I must admit my first few hours of 'practice' offline were like a youngster's first bout with a violin. However, after a short spell (like all weekend!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif ) I began to master it rather than it master me! What a GREAT feeling when it all comes together!

OK, I admit I've got a ways to go yet...but I'm getting there -- see you during Rattle Tap!!

73 John K7FD

[KG4VXS]

You're right Matt, spacing is everything in cw. There is nothing more frustrating to me than trying to copy someone who runs their characters and words together, whether its a straight key or bug. I had a speedkey certificate in the navy, and it didn't come easy. However I took 40 yrs off before I became a ham last year and my bug skills are not very good, so I use a straight key. Need to find someone in the Atlanta area who can help me set up this vibroplex properly, then I can practice for a year and maybe communicate again. 73,s....KG4VXS http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[KI6UP]

This is a great idea - hats off to the planners!!! Next time, have it using a BUG and vintage gear - "tube and Bug night" - combination plate contest. That would be fun - fire up the Elmac AF-67, the R-390A and a old bug - hummm

To the comments about swing - what would a bug be with out personality? There can be extremes of course, either so much swing that the code is not readable - or so little swing that the music of the Bug disappears and its voice approximates some cold hearted computer chip generated code. YUK

I use a 1937 Model bug and a group of us on 80 meters are thinking about doing a bug practice session but using land line morse instead of international morse! Anyone interested?

73

Jim

[w6th]

My "BUG" bugs many so I keep it covered from the squirting of "RAID" insect sprayer.

Good chance to use my Vibroplex Blue Racer 2000 and add the ole' time swing.

This should be a fun event and get to know many new fists of the future and the past.

You no coders need not to check in. This event is for the real hams.

# # # # # # # # # # # # # ----------

[nf7r]

My apologies for the cheap shot from the post above...detracted from an otherwise neat thread! I know plenty of real hams who don't care for cw. Enough said, I will try to make the bug event...my two favorites being a Martin Flash Key, and my old Deluxe Vibroplex I rewarded myself with when I graduated from RM"A" school back in 1969. I never did get my speed key certificate, but did get to use my bug on a couple of "real" circuits. We used cw when reporting ETAs into Hong Kong back "in the day"...I do have a couple of "bronze" awards that I am proud of...if anybody knows what those are anymore.
There is real satisfaction in using a bug, and using it well. I enjoy it when I'm told that people think I am using a keyer. Trouble with my bugs (I use about 5 of them, in rotation) is that none of them has spell check (or grammar check, for that matter), and no memory, either!
73,
Don
NF7R
Logandale, NV

1 Martin Flash Key
2 Vibroplex Deluxe bugs
2 Telegraph Keying Apparatus "hole in the wall" bugs, one chrome and one black crinkle.

[KG6QFU]

didahdit didahdit

cu on air felow hams http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

DE WA6POT

[w6th]

-------------------------nf7r---------------------------------

Quote:
My apologies for the cheap shot from the post above...detracted from an otherwise neat thread! I know plenty of real hams who don't care for cw.
Unquote.

Yes, that was real cheap to say the least. Who else do you have cheap shots to post? Put them on.

# # # # # # # # # # # # #---------------

[n2zen]

Glad to see this contest come about. It would be nice to hear a bug again. Not a lot of them on now. A bug was the only way to send fast cw, when I first got on, but I later switched to a homebrew W9TO keyer but I still kept the bug around. I still practice, now and then, with a code oscillator. Yes there are extremes, long dashes and short dits, but when you get it right, it sounds so smooth. Like a keyer but with a fuzzy edge. I will dust off the bug , throw a wire out the window (recently moved and not antennas up yet), and give the test a shot. 73

Scott, W7CQD #"Going down with the ship, CQD CQD.."

[KG4VXS]

I'm not sure what a "real" circuit is, but in 1960/61/62 when you were in the middle of the "big water" and wanted to communicate with someone, you used cw. We didn't have SSB on our ship and rtty was one way, receiving. But you're right, it was a blast! Load those big TBKs up (big as refrigerators) and blast away. Oh wellll 73,s I'm looking forward to listening to that bug music. KG4VXS http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[k3qn]

Great idea.Should be a fun event. See you'all there with my home brew hack saw blade bug and Ten Tec Corsair with my 150 ft cf Zepp ant.


http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif = _._

[KE4MOB]

Hope this will come around again next year...maybe by that time I won't sound like this!!

daaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh
daaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh
dididit

dididididit (@#%$@!!!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
daaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh
daaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh

Steve, KE4MOB