No, I'm not referring to the instruction manual that came with my FT-2000 transceiver. I'm referring to the rather comical instruction sheet that was packed with my latest new CW key, a Monarch KY-102 bug.
The Monarch bug is nothing more than the common Hi-Mound BK-100 “coffin” bug, which was marketed under several brands, including Radio Shack, Lafayette, Skillman, Monarch and Hi-Mound. I had sworn off buying another one because of the poor luck I have had in getting one shipped here without damage, but I couldn't pass up what appeared to be a fantastic deal.
A few weeks ago on eBay, a Monarch KY-102 was ready to sell without an opening bid of $24.95! I sniped it, entering a bid of about $10 more since I figured someone else was going to try to snap it up for the opening bid amount. Much to my surprise no one else bid on the key!
And what a beauty this key really is! It's like New Old Stock — it has the original wedge cord that's never been used; I dare say this key was never used because its never been adjusted. It really looks like brand spankin' new! The key has a clear plastic cover, and the cover is pristine — I've never seen one of these show up without some sort of minor crack or imperfection. This one doesn't even have fingerprints on it. The instruction sheet was packed beneath it, and had never been unfolded. I have an original instruction sheet, but not in original, pristine condition, so I left it folded. The wedge cord must have been unpopular with those who bought these keys as you seldom find one on eBay that still has one.
The outer surfaces of hte box have some wear, but nothing severe. It's easily the nicest version of this key I have in my collection.
—
The instruction sheet that came with the key reminds me of the poorly translated instructions that came with the el-cheapo Jingtong VHF handie-talkie I bought a couple of years ago. Check out these instructions …
“It is a telegraph Key equipped with an apparatus capable of striking out a dot signal in rapid succession automatically, called “Bug Key” in common, and as it can particular make out a machinery ordered dot signal in succession, a high speed dot signal which needs an exquisite skill in keying can be made out in accuracy and in the easiest way.”
The difficulties like in operation of common telegraph keying, as a trembling disformation of hand or an extreme dullness in movement of hand, make impossible in the operation of high-speed transmitting, but, with this key it can achieve not only a good result in high-speed transmitting but also a well-cutting in general and attractive SIGNAL within a certain possibility of easy high-speed transmittind and so the reason why the machine is getting popular recently.
EXERCISE REMARKS. It is needless to reiterate the necessity that an accurate signal composition (a ratio of dot to dash, intermission) must be in strict accordance with the auditory sense in one's sexercise, but within one,s capability of receiving, remarkable progress in short time can be observed.”
Fortunately for everyone who bought a new Monarch, Skillman, Lafayette, Radio Shack, etc. “coffin” bug, they were pretty straight forward to setup and use and the instructions were more comic relief than a requirement for getting on the air with the key.
I've found a couple of poorly translated sentences in the FT-2000 manual, but nothing to match this! Most stuff from Japan has better instructions than those written in the U.S.
—
CW KEY AT LAST. I wired up a 1/4-inch stereo plug for a keying line for my bugs, and right now I have a 1937 McElroy Mac Key Deluxe on the desk ready to go. I've readjusted the sidetone for 650 Hz, which sounds about right where I had the Icom set. Default was 700 Hz, which was ok too.
Gotta run … 73 … de KY4Z … dit dit …