Mecograph WO Coffe "Gallows" Morse Code Bug Key

The following video shows a wonderful copy of the 1904 Mecograph bug originally designed and patented by William O Coffe. This key has been reproduced by Phil Boyle G0NVT. This key works between about 20 wpm and 40 wpm. The following is the text as sent: N6MQL BT This is a copy of the Mecograph WO Coffe Key BT Speed change This was considered to be the first mechanical bug ever made es (and) sold DE N6MQL SK The key seems to preform best when the weight is fully down. The dits seem to be VERY sharp and not square like a modern day key would produce. Because of the very light spring steal it seems that once you get too fast on this key the dits become difficult to understand. In general the key is difficult to set up and adjust for proper sending. A continues stream of dits in impossible and the amount of dits the key makes depends heavily on how fast you push the dit arm.