[Boatanchors] question about EF Johnson Navigator and CW note transmitted

[Brian]

Hi, back on the BA list after many years off. Sold off most of the large stuff and Drake stuff too when doing a home reno and we needed storage space - living in the living room and part of basement for 18 months!

Anyhow, I got the space back and have gotten some BA things. Most I need to look at re. re-capping at least to start with.

The first thing I want to ask about is that an AM friend recently sold me his EFJ Ranger when he acquired a Collins xmtr for himself to modify for AM. This guy is an ex-Collins tech and does good repair work on his stuff. But he is not a CW guy so would have no real ear I think for what the Ranger would, could or should  be like on CW.

I realize this is a vintage BA type radio, so NOT the usual stuff I am used to hearing in terms of the CW note/sound, so I am looking to be enlightened as to what the vintage CW sound should be expected to be like. I have heard vintage stuff on the frequencies and often answer their CQs.

This Ranger's CW note sounded just a little bit 'whoopy' when I monitored it on a receiver nearby using the VFO. I put a xtal in it and the xtal transmitted sound is a little more bell-like than the note xtmitted using  the VFO. Not a voltage-sag kind of whoop IMHO, but a noticeable quality difference for Yer Standard CW note.

Is this the norm? Is there anyone with experience here with the EFJ stuff that can give me at feel on this and/or any ideas on what might make the xtmitted CW note improved...tubes up to snuff etc?

(I do have an EFJ Navigator on the shelf (which is quite similar) that I plan to re-cap, so there are similarities  and VFO (both same/similar to Viking 122 VFO I believe). I also have a EFJ Adventurer that came along quite some time back, from another capable fellow but its been too long to believe the caps should not be looked at before applying juice to it.)

Part of this query is VFO, perhaps, and other is I expect how  the xmtter works, clamp tube etc, that contribute to the 'sound', I believe, so I guess I am not expecting it to sound modern... I just want it to be acceptable to those out there who have to copy the signal if I answer them and be willing to answer a CQ  from me as well.

tnx

Brien VE3VAW Toronto