[Johnson] Johnson Valiant Question about PTT Sparking

[Freeberg, Scott (STP)]

I am very pleased to have my Valiant back in the main BA position after a long hiatus due to lazyness and having too many radio's and not enough room in the shack.  I blew out the Valiant while experimenting on 160 meters back in 1999 or 2000 thereabouts.  I set it on the shelf with the intent to get around to it.  I slid another radio in the BA position but never got back to the Valiant.. until now.  One of my goals for 2006 was to get my beloved Valiant back in service.  I finished the repairs over the weekend and happily the Valiant is back up and running.  I moved her into the main BA position with another long missing receiver, my NC-300.

I have a question.  While the rig was on its side, I noticed sparking at the PTT relay when I keyed up.  The aluminum chassis under the contact was dark and burned too.  I'd key the mic, and there would be a significant spark going on. I cleaned the contacts though it had no effect.  I cleaned the chassis burn and put a piece of black tape over it.  Does your Valiant ptt relay do this?  and is there a recommended solution?  I'm going to put a capacitor across the contacts to try and snub that arc.

Does anyone have any NOS 6146's for sale?  I'm going to buy some for other repairs so I'm checking here first before heading off to the tube vendors. 

Thanks.  73, Scott WA9WFA