[TenTec] RE: Problem with Century 21 Digital

[Augie (Gus) Hansen]

Hi Ken,

Regarding your comment about touch-lamp problems:

> I've had two (2) Century 21 rigs over the years. I've
> got a Digital model now and I run mine at 5W all the
> time because of an interference problem with a touch
> lamp. Anything higher than 10W and the lamp begins to
> cycle through its settings, which is highly annoying.

There are some relatively simple fixes for the problem. Usually all that is
needed is a small value resistor (1K to 10K) or a small value RF choke
(about 100uH) in series with the touch plate lead. I used a series
combination of resistor and choke to fix one of my lamps. [Another touch
lamp couldn't be fixed by this means so I wired it with an in-line power
switch, but that won't work for your mother in-law.]

I also like to operate QRP with either a Ten-Tec Argo II or an Elecraft K2.
But it is nice to be able to run a bit more power when the band conditions
aren't so good. Taking a little time to fix the lamps allows me to run any
legal power level to nearby antennas without flashing the lamps.

73, Gus Hansen

Email: KB0YH at arrl.net
.....................
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