[Milsurplus] TCK-4

[w8au at sssnet.com]

At 10:20 AM 2/9/2017, Rob Flory wrote:
>I used to run a TCK (-0).  I used a dynamotor 
>for the 500V supply because it gave excellent 
>regulation like the motor-generator sets do, 
>yielding a very stable signal.  I have not been 
>impressed by TCK and other transmitters run on 
>rectifier supplies(including the stock supply), 
>which even with swinging chokes and all that 
>have enough voltage drop under keying that they chirp.

Rob:  I can attest to your TCK keying when you 
used it on OMRN-CW net.  Excellent.  As a 
restorer of one TCK-4 for a memorial ship and the 
owner of one, I have found that stabilizing the 
Master Osc voltages takes care of any 
chirp.  This may take some modifying screen and 
possibly plate voltages of the M.O. with Zeners.

On the other hand, the High voltage supplies of 
the buffer and amp stages are regulated only by 
PS swinging chokes.  This allows for some dynamic
voltage swings during keying that give the TCK 
it's "commanding" sound, a slight form of very 
momentary AM modulation on the leading edge.  This gives
them a "signature" that can't be provided by our 
solid state 13.8 V regulated transceivers.

>Most shipboard transmitter motor-generator sets 
>have a series coil in addition to the shunt 
>coil,which boosts the voltage under load to 
>counteract the IR drop.  On the TBK 
>transmitters at USS Massachusetts the voltage 
>does not budge one iota from key up to key 
>down.  You can't do that with a rectifier supply without a regulator.

Rob's comparison with TBK xmtrs with 
motor-generator supplies reveals voltage 
regulation that is so stable that the only signature they have is
the leading edge click on the key-down "make."

Working with the TCK has been a fun experience, 
except for the job of removing them from their 
native settings, like moving one up three decks of a
retired Cruiser through narrow hatches. :-[

Perry      w8au