[Johnson] CHALLENGER PLATE CURRENT?

[WQ9E at btsnetworks.net]

Ed,

I don't have my Challenger hooked up currently but I don't recall it drawing that level of current in standby or key up.  It sounds like the clamper tube may not be doing its job.  Check the screen voltage on the final, it should be zero in standby and 10 volts CW key up according to the manual; if not check the clamp tube and its associated circuitry.

Rodger WQ9E

-------- Original Message --------
> From: Ed - K9EW <k9ew57 at gmail.com>
> Sent: Saturday, October 29, 2011 9:43 AM
> To: Johnson List <johnson at mailman.qth.net>
> Subject: [Johnson] CHALLENGER PLATE CURRENT?
> 
> I am resurrecting a Viking Challenger that I got at a hamfest last year.
> It's in pretty good condition; I just changed the (original) electrolytics,
> plus R25 which looked like it may have been overheated.  The chassis is in
> very good condition, but the cabinet will need a paint job.
> 
> After installing the new parts, I fired it up to check it out into a dummy
> load.  I was happy to see 100w on 40m with about 200mA of plate current.
> But I was surprised to see 80mA of plate current when in the STANDBY mode.
> In the TUNE and the CW modes, I see 110mA of plate current (key up).
> 
> Are these normal readings?  If not, what should I be seeing?
> 
> Thanks and 73,
> ed - k9ew
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