I looked at the switch this morning in the amp (it's at the top of the front
panel). With a mirror I spotted on the bottom side of the switch where it
arced from some part of the switch contact to the switch shaft. The arc
point is not visible from the top of the switch. The switch still rotates
but I suspect the contact is so lose to the shaft that it just arcs with
power. I won't know more until I take the switch out. I am not sure I will
ever know why all of a sudden it arced over but at least I know what it is.
There are no wires in the area.
I suspect the switch is a lost cause. Finding a new one should be
interesting. A number of responses would suggest just bypassing the switch
and just connect the SSB lead and just tie off the CW tap wire which could
at least be an interim solution if not permanent.
I hope the switch is the only problem.
Thanks to all who took time to respond.
73, Larry W6NWS
-----Original Message-----
From: Ron Youvan
Sent: Thursday, September 12, 2013 9:30 AM
To: amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] Clipperton-L question
On 09/11/2013 02:58 PM, Carl wrote:
Id check the SSB/CW switch carefully for arcing to a metal part. Common
problem with an underrated switch.
"Larry" <lknain@nc.rr.com> wrote:
One day when I switched from CW to SSB mode on my Clipperton-L it blew
the fuse with a good bang. The switch picks between a tap and one side
of the power transformer secondary – tap being for CW.
I would take the switch out and put a "wire nut" on one transformer
connection sealing it off and make the other connection with another
"wire nut" and test. Then I would switch to the other transformer
connection and test, if both work the switch is arcing.
--
Ron KA4INM - Youvan's corollary:
Every action results in unwanted side effects.
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