[Milsurplus] You CAN Key The BC-230 With a Bug and a Relay

[David Stinson]

Here is a video of me keying a BC-230 transmitter using the
original big, honking, slow relay in the junction box.
I disconnected the BC-198 antenna relay and the transmitter goes
directly to the tuner/dummy load/ antenna.
The little antenna relay is slower than the keying relay!

This rig has had the non-destructive changes that put it
under VXO control on 40 meters as I wrote about at the time.
It is running on the original dynamotor and control boxes.

The point of this video is to show that the rig can be keyed
successfully "as-designed" with a B+ switching relay and
a bug at a decent CW speed.  If you have a more modern,
faster relay you can key faster.  Note the jury-rigged diode
and resistor/cap across the key as that big relay's back EMF
will rattle your teeth.  :-D
This rig has the 6AQ5s subbed for the audiophool tubes.
(Going to buy a couple of sets of those adapters, Ben, when
I get my tax refund).  Rig puts out just over 7 Watts.
Worked a Georgia station on 7029 KC w/579 report
right after this video.
Sorry for my rusty fist!
GL OM DE Dave AB5S
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkA0W3MTM1I&feature=youtu.be