[Heathkit] HW-101 stuck in TX on CW

[Bill Cromwell]

On 01/01/2014 02:12 PM, Alex wrote:
> First of all, Happy New Year!
>
> I just unpacked the HW-101 after it was in (climate controlled) storage for
> two years hoping to use it for Straight Key Night. Everything seems to be
> working fine, except that it gets stuck in transmit in CW when I engage the
> CW key. I can also hear the side tone, although at a lower volume, when the
> key is not depressed. When I key down the side tone is at a normal level and
> I get full output power. There is no power out when I let up the key. It
> seems as if the vox is constantly engaged. To get the rig into RX I have to
> switch modes. I guess that's because the tone oscillator shuts down and
> cannot engage the vox anymore.
>
> I checked the vox delay and anti-trip works fine on the sideband modes, so
> it seems that the vox circuit is fine.
>
> Has anyone encountered this problem before, and perhaps know of a fix?
>
> 73,
> --Alex KR1ST
>
>
Hi Alex,

I had the same symptoms on another transmitter. I found an almost short 
circuit in the plug connector on the cable from the key where it plugs 
into the transmitter. Since you said "Straight Key Night" I assume you 
were using -ahem- a straight key. An electronic keyer can do the same 
thing if there is RF feedback into the keyere or keying line.

Good luck and Happy New Year.

73,

Bill  KU8H