[Milsurplus] TCS in operation

[wf2u at ws19ops.com]

In principle I never modify any original military radios. It's good  
enough for me if it was designed a certain way, and I want to keep it  
the way it was originally issued, operated and maintained.
If I want to mess with a circuit, I'll either build something new or  
will do it with an otherwise unrestorable piece of equipment.

Never had a problem with any TCS keying circuit (I've been using them  
since 1964), and cherish the keying characteristics/tone of each type  
of surplus transmitter. This is the tone that was heard when the  
equipment was originally used.
The only thing which makes the TCS weird to use is the lack of sidetone.
I rectify this problem by using an original LM-18 (Navy version of the  
BC-221 frequency meter) to monitor the transmitter frequency.

As to not using the control cable for switching the mains - if the  
cable is really in bad shape, it's justified, but if it was me, I'd  
just use a power strip or outlet with a line switch instead of  
modifying the original control box/PSU.

This is my opinion and way of treating surplus equipment. Your mileage  
may vary...

73, Meir WF2U
Landrum, SC

Quoting Military1944 at aol.com:

> Hi all,
>
> I know the TCS has been covered over and over but having recently acquired
> another one I am now going through the testing procedure once again. Its been
> some time since I messed with the TCS I already had, its just like going back
> to  school, hi.
>
> Anyway, I have the tx going, damaged meter and new relay fitted. While
> testing it I was using a croc clip to ground the keying line at the   
> front jack.  I
> noticed there is quite a spark when the contact is lifted, ie the   
> back emf off
>  the 2 relays must be quite a bit. Thinking on the fact the set is CW keyed
> via  these relays then even at 12 to 15wpm there are going to be quite a few
> clunk  clicks on them. Has anyone (bothered) to fit either a reverse  
>  diode or an
> RC  filter across the key line ? to help suppress these clicks and back emf
> voltages? or should one just get on with it ?
>
> I do intend to bypass the ac mains on/off switching in the tx and control
> box, I'll fit a decent on/off switch to the psu chassis and disconnect the ac
> feed up the leads. I don't like the idea of 240v ac going through the various
> cables, not 60 odd years on.
>
> regards, Ben. G4BXD.
>
>
>
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