Ham Radio KITS - TOP PAGE - Washington Island BOOKS

May 21, 2014 - Bug Descratcher III kit

September 25, 2025: the enclosure kit version has sold out and will NOT be restocked due to the tariff tax

but the kit circuit board and components continue to be offered.

May 13, 2025: kit prices increased due to higher board price

August 2, 2023: The enclosure is back in stock, thanks for waiting

March 28, 2023: prices increased due to higher parts prices

October 2021: NEW enclosure parts kit

January 2019: kit now includes a solder masked, silk screened circuit board

The Bug Descratcher III kit is the third version of a circuit from the September 1992 issue of QST by WX7G, Dave Cuthbert. The Bug Descratcher III removes the "scratchiness" encountered with semi-automatic keys (bugs) due to contact bounce. It can also be used with straight keys. It features:

[Bug Descratcher III circuit board picture - click for larger version]
  • a debounced output to eliminate scratchy sounding keying
  • optional solid state relay (SSR) output to key nearly any rig (solid state, tube positive or tube negative keying voltage)
  • available as a board only kit
  • board size: 1.25 x 1.5 inches
  • operates from 9 to 13.8 volt battery or power supply
  • minimizes the input to output delay (previous versions had about 6 mS of delay)
  • price is $16.00, with SSR option $23 + shipping/handling
  • note that enclosure box is New Old Stock and may require cleaning and/or filing (sanding) before use
  • printed documents are NOT included, please print/view your own from the pdf files provided


    • For pricing, availability or any other questions, please send an email to me, Chuck Olson, WB9KZY at:



    with your question.

    Kit Documentation: download (Right click/save target as) and print the Bug Descratcher III kit manual , schematic diagram and hookup diagram
    enclosure manual
    all in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
    Here is a simple diagnostic test file in case of trouble.

    To purchase the Bug Descratcher III kit, print out a Kit order form to figure your order manually
    or try our: javascript order form to let your browser do the math!

    Ham Radio KITS - TOP PAGE - Washington Island BOOKS