[Elecraft] CW transmitting - any clicks?

[Paul Christensen]

Like the K3, the Ameritron QSK-5 uses PIN diodes to perform the T/R 
function.  I hear the same "tick" from the QSK-5, only louder.  Because 
there's a relay inside the QSK-5, some ops have come to the conclusion that 
the relay is generating the tick.  It's not.  The relay is used only for 
bypass purposes.  To prove this, I removed the relay from the unit and the 
tick remained.  As best I can tell, the tick noise is made as the diodes are 
biased.  Now, why that would happen needs to by explained by a semiconductor 
subject matter expert.  Some of the noise may be amplified by the manner in 
which the diodes are mounted -- much like the transfer of sound from a 
string bridge to the top plate of a violin.

Paul, W9AC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jessie Oberreuter" <joberreu-elecraft at moselle.com>
To: "Graham Smith" <g3zodelecraft at googlemail.com>
Cc: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, December 02, 2011 5:53 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW transmitting - any clicks?


>
>      The last time this came up, Wayne theorized that it might be the
> sound of slight mechanical adjustments in the relays as power is
> redistributed.  They aren't being switched, but the coil voltages may be
> changing slightly, inducing an audible modulation in the electrically
> shiftable parts.  Hunting it down was on his rainy day list :).
>
>
> On Fri, 2 Dec 2011, Graham Smith wrote:
>
>> My K2 emits a very faint "tick" sound at the end of each dot and dash - I
>> can hear it if I put my ear near the back of the K3.
>> This happens using the internal keyer and a straight key, although it's
>> extremely hard to hear using a straight key as the mechanical sound from 
>> the
>> key itself masks it even when releasing it very gently.
>> It's not coming from the speaker.
>>
>> Have other people noticed this?
>> I wonder what is causing it?  It does this even with the power level set 
>> to
>> zero and I have VOX+QSK set.
>>
>> 73 de Graham G3ZOD FISTS #8385
>> http://www.fists.co.uk
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> Steve,
>>
>> The K2, K1, KX1 and K3 all have electronic Transmit/Receive switching, 
>> and I
>> would expect the KX3 will as well, so there will be no relay clicking 
>> noise.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
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