[ARC5] T17/ARC-5 transmitter-- on the air with one.

[Kenneth G. Gordon]

On 8 Feb 2020 at 13:57, Peter Bertini wrote:

> 
> Thanks for the info.  I am mostly interested in CW, so the modulator is not a concern for me.
> 
> I will carefully check Pin 1 on all the sockets to see if it is grounded or not to determine the
> transmitter's heritage. 
> 
> Pete

My favorite mode is CW. And there is simply no good reason to accept chirp from the 
"ARC-5" transmitters. During the annual Novice Roundup, you will hear several of those 
transmitters in operation. I have yet to hear any of them with noticable chirp. Most are very 
clean and sound excellent.

If necessary, applying a regulated 180 to 210 VDC to the oscillator can help. Either VR 
tubes (my favorite because of the colors) or Zener regulators. Two VR-90s gives you 180 
VDC. A VR-90 and a VR-105 gives you 195 VDC. Two VR-105s gives you 210 VDC. Etc.

I like very "stiff" power supplies. In fact, I would use a regulated supply for plate/screen 
voltages if it was easily available. A dynamotor is usually "stiff" enough.

I also see no good reason to "push" the transmitters at all. 50 watts output, max, is plenty 
enough for decent QSOing.

In fact, I made many contacts and worked 35 countries with an AN/GRC-109 which outputs 
15 watts at max.

Ken W7EKB