[MRCA] Chinese 102A Chirp?

[D. Platt]

Steve,

Be not afraid.  Unlike the GRC-9 and the BC-1306, the 102E runs the 
oscillator circuit full-time in the CW mode.  Used with the 137 
receiver, the receiver is muted and a sidetone is provided for 
monitoring sending.  That said, if you key the thing in the AM mode, 
yes, it does chirp on initial keying, but it should not be an issue.  
The transmitter sounds OK in both VFO and crystal modes, so I'd have no 
concerns, whatever.   I really like the one I still have, and I've been 
through three of them, now.  As you already know, there's a lot of data 
available in ER that I've put there over the past few years.  Given the 
price, what you get, even with shipping, its a heck of a lot more 
economical that any GRC-9 setup.  Now, as I mentioned to others, power 
supplies are a question.  The GRC-9 series supplies will work with a 
little work.  That consists, primarily, of lifting receiver B- off 
ground for the 102E.  If one is not a purist, like me,  the ac supply I 
came up with, and a DC inverter, will get you on both 115VAC and 12v 
DC.   The tubes are the same as in the GRC-9, too.  It ain't GI issue 
but it is OD green!

The  minuses I've come up with are the fact that the tuning indicator 
does not work at 50 ohms in the 102E ( but it does have a meter).  I've 
tried adjusting the keep-alive voltage and everything.. to no avail.  
(Yet?)  The dial lights are a pain, too, but one of those pilot light 
back reflectors works wonders in the receiver.   In the transmitter, you 
can re-balance the lamps and get more brilliance on the VFO dial and 
less on the "pilot" lamp.  That too works well.

So, give one a try.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.  Heck, the 
massive key that comes with it is probably worth $50!

Jeep - K3HVG


On 3/30/2012 7:44 AM, Steve Hobensack wrote:
> I wonder if the Chinese set chirps on cw like the GRC-9? If I knew the cw was quality, I'd consider having one.
> Steve N8YE
>