[Johnson] Viking 500 arcing issue

[Rodger]

Over last weekend my Viking 500 began intermittently arcing across the 
protective gap inside the RF cage upon PTT release.  The problem was 
that RY-302, the "mechanical slow release" relay was now releasing 
without delay thus the antenna relay was "hot switching" and causing 
excessive voltages to develop on the output circuit.  I originally 
planned to take care of the problem externally using a slow release 
antenna relay like I do with my Desk KW but I decided to try and keep 
the 500 functioning as originally intended.  To add a delay, I first 
removed the white wire from the coil of RY-302 and using a terminal 
strip put a 1KV rated diode (cathode of diode connected to terminal from 
which white wire was removed, white wire now connects to other end of 
diode) which now provides isolation of the coil connection between 
RY-302 and RY-303 once the delay capacitor is added.  I then added a 10 
uf electrolytic across the coil of relay RY-302 (250V or higher rating, 
positive end to the end of the coil to which the added diode was 
attached).    This provides a slight delay on PTT release before RY-302 
releases, RY-303 will continue to release immediately.  If you want more 
delay you could increase the value of the capacitor but 10 uf provided 
sufficient delay in my case.  I just wanted to pass this along in case 
others have lost the delay in the slow release relay.

73, Rodger WQ9E