VirusPerplexed Bug Mark 2

The VirusPerplexed bug key I made during the spring 2020 first covid lockdown proved to be very successful, both in winning the RSGB lockdown category of the constructor's competition and raising £2025.95 for the NHS charities together( £1000 added to the final bid by the RSGB who organized the charity auction).

Now one year on and in the third lockdown I decided that I would enjoy having a copy of the key for myself. This version of the Virusperplexed bug is almost identical except for a few changes. The pendulum damper design has been changed as well as the dash lever pivot point. The finger knob and paddle together with the dit contact/spring have been attached differently.

After a lot of practice beforehand, I made my first nervous call on the 20 meters SKCC calling channel. Unfortunately no replies, however plenty of spots on the Reverse Beacon Network website.

First-call-on-air-with-bug-key1-19m.mp4

Update July 2025

When visiting a market in Wells this year, I made this discovery regarding the wood I used for the finger plates for this key and others on this site. The following is that information:

This wood is from the Thuya tree (tetraclinis articulate in latin). This biblical tree is a conifer from the cedar family, and is exclusively native to Morocco. Grown exclusively in the middle atlas mountains, Thuya has been revered since Roman times for its gorgeous burled grain and splendid aroma. it was often used in religious ceremonies. It is the first burled wood selected for the dashboard consoles of Rolls Royce cars. The fact that the trees grow only in morocco's climate- and nowhere else in the world has lent the wood an air of exclusivity which has heightened global demand.

Oak base and stainles steel top plate prepaired

Top plate screwed in place

Drilling holes in the strip of spring steel for the pendulum proved easier than I thought it would be.

Manufacturing the main arm with pendulum bar

Making and placement of the main arm pivot bridge

Drilling a socket for neodymium magnet in the main arm

The production of the sliding pendulum weight

Holes drilled in the top plate for placement of the contact posts and connection terminals

Clearance holes drilled in the oak base for post fixing nuts, and cable channel for connection of contacts to terminals. Note large holes filled with lead ballast weights for added stability

Initial testing the operation of the pendulum and the contact positions, before making the five brass thumb screws. Two of these thumbs screws then having silverd contact soldered to their ends.

The finished key in all its glory

A close up of the beautiful wood of the paddle and knob. The type of wood is unknown (see update above) as it was taken from what is believed to be a broken tobacco box salvaged from a boot sale.

Placement of a decal to record its origin and time of manufacture, this one similar to the original I made almost a year ago but also unique

Spot the difference? A change in the design of the pendulum damper

My first QSO's

My first two QSO's with this key were with DL7VGU and then special events station PA50AGCW shown here in the video.

PA50AGCW-extract-s.mp4

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