[ARC5] Chirp ain't always bad -- was: 1ST QSO with my BC-454-B and T-19

Wed Jan 2 21:48:52 EST 2013

A "Chirp switch"!!!  I LOVE IT!  Will have to try that.

Yes, I agree that our rigs must play nice in "polite society" -- nothing will get you dirty looks and/or the Evil Eye at a FD site faster than a rig with key clix.  

A bit of advice on that point... using a choke in series with the key lead in a cathode keyed rig helps a lot.  Something between 2 and 4 henries, in other words a choke from an old TV set power supply, generally does nicely.  Additionally, put R-C series networks across the key contacts or on the keying relay.  I've found that a combination of 100 ohms and 0.1 uF will generally do it; and I think there is a formula in the older ARRL Handbooks to calculate a more exact set of values based upon the voltage and current in the keyed circuit.  I use 2000 volt disc caps, as there might be some high transients here.  A diode across the keying relay coil helps too.

The Coup de Grace however is to SHIELD your keying leads.  Use shielded cable, and all-metal connectors -- I use Belden mic cable and Switchcraft plugs.  If you don't shield these leads, you might get some radiation of clicks when they act like an antenna.

At the risk of opening a can of worms, I will testify that the worst surplus transmitter I have ever seen for key clicks is an ART-13.  And there is precious little room to add the R-C networks around the keying relay for that rig.  And, the adjustment of the keying relay has a great deal to do with it as well.  (Yes, I speak from considerable experience with the ART-13... it also does a great job of getting into cordless telephones!  DO NOT try operating an ART-13 in an HOA-controlled environment!)

The Command Set, by comparison, is easy to tame.

The "selector" relay in a Command Set is a fantastic keying relay.  I have used it with a bug, to around 35 wpm with no issues.

73

Mike
W4DSE

--- On Tue, 1/1/13, Dennis Monticelli <dennis.monticelli at gmail.com> wrote:

> From: Dennis Monticelli <dennis.monticelli at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [ARC5] Chirp ain't always bad -- was: 1ST QSO with my BC-454-B and T-19
> To: "Tim" <timsamm at gmail.com>
> Cc: "Mike Everette" <radiocompass at yahoo.com>, "ARC5" <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Tuesday, January 1, 2013, 8:02 PM
> Chirp is making a comeback :-)
> 
> I have a switch on the PS for my T-22 that toggles between
> unregulated
> and regulated voltages for PA screen & plate.  In
> other words, it's a
> chirp switch.  I like to chase DX with the T-22 and I
> cannot count the
> times throwing the chirp switch made a low probability
> contact
> possible.  One time the historic shore station KPH
> called for the
> pileup to standby and allow the chirping station only to get
> through.
> Other times the DX station will interupt his run of stations
> to chat
> with me and ask what I'm running.
> 
> I've learned there is one situation where chirp is a bad
> idea.  I like
> to contest with the T-22 as well, but some contesters will
> interupt
> their high run rates to be a good citizen and inform me that
> my
> transceiver is sick.
> 
> BTW, clicks are never appreciated.  We should all be
> careful to insure
> our old rigs do not click.  I had to significantly slow
> down the edges
> of the T-22 to clean up clicks.
> 
> Dennis AE6C
> 
> On 1/1/13, Tim <timsamm at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> > If I hear a sig with a little chirp - I am more likely
> to QSO with him,
> > he's probably running something way more interesting
> than a KenYaeIc 3000.
> >
> > I once heard a Fish Fart in Fiji though.....;o)
> > Tim
> > N6CC
> >
> > On Tue, Jan 1, 2013 at 1:51 PM, Mike Everette
> > <radiocompass at yahoo.com>wrote:
> >
> >> Recently I took a hearing exam with an
> audiologist.  When very weak tones
> >> were fed into the headset, I heard them far better
> -- quite a few
> >> dog-biscuits better, actually -- when there was a
> slight "warble" or
> >> "chirp" added to them than when the same tones were
> perfectly clean.
> >>
> >> So, a little chirp isn't always a bad thing!
> >>
> >> How many times have you been able to pick out a
> gnat-fart from Outer
> >> Mongolia (or any other rare one) from the noise,
> when it chirped a bit?
> >>
> >> Quite a few, I'll bet....
> >>
> >> 73
> >>
> >> Mike
> >> W4DSE
> >>
> >> --- On Sun, 12/30/12, Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb at gmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> > From: Mark K3MSB <mark.k3msb at gmail.com>
> >> > Subject: [ARC5] 1ST QSO with my BC-454-B and
> T-19
> >> > To: "ARC5" <arc5 at mailman.qth.net>
> >> > Date: Sunday, December 30, 2012, 8:33 PM
> >> > It works!!!!
> >> >
> >> > http://www.k3msb.com/arc5/K3MSB_BC454B_T19.jpg
> >> >
> >> > I worked my buddy Ken N3CU.  He said the
> signal had a
> >> > very slight chirp,
> >> > but sounded great otherwise!
> >> >
> >> > I'm looking forward to SK Night tomorrow.
> >> >
> >> > Thank you all for your help over the past
> weeks in helping
> >> > me get these
> >> > radios on the air!
> >> >
> >> > 73 Mark K3MSB
> >> >
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