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

[Rob Atkinson]

Vintage rigs of the period in question ran class C with choke input
filter power supplies, or maybe a pi supply, but either way, the
amount of filter C was less then what today's hams running plastic
radios would be using.  The result can be a teeny bit of "ringing"
actually ripple on the make of the CW note, something I find both
nostalgic and desirable because it tips off the vintage cognoscenti
that you're not running another boring appliance with class B push
pull mosfets and 500 mfd 50 v. electrolytics, giving perfect keying
and zero drift, that has had all the endearing imperfections
engineered out of it to make it idiot proof.   If the VFO has a chirp
that's not good however the pre-xtal TNT and TPTG rigs whoop it up on
AWA night but you'll probably get some operator who's never run
anything with hot glass giving you static about it.  The HA-5 is a
good CW VFO.   The one thing (in my opinion) you do have to deal with
is key clicks if you have those.  On cathode keying a 4 mfd cap from
the cathode to ground at the needed voltage rating can shape the rise
and fall to make those clicks go away.

73

Rob
K5UJ