[CQ-Contest] Key Clicks.... Continuing Problem

[kdutson at sbcglobal.net]

I keep seeing references to Icom and key clicks.  I use the 7610 and have never received a report of a key click problem.  Also, I typically use 1000 watts.  My amps are all Alpha 87A's.

I use a Kenwood TS-480HX in the truck, typically at full power (200 watts).  Last year I had reports of key clicks.  That was discovered to be caused by low voltage from a poor battery connection.  Once that was fixed, I received good, clean reports.

73, Keith NM5G

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+kdutson=sbcglobal.net at contesting.com> On Behalf Of Jim Brown
Sent: Saturday, November 14, 2020 12:55 PM
To: cq-contest <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Key Clicks.... Continuing Problem

On 11/14/2020 8:37 AM, Kenneth Wolff wrote:
> I'm sure you are aware that the click sideband width is proportional 
> to the keying speed.

This is a serious mis-conception -- keying speed is quite secondary to the rise/fall waveshape.

> Given the same CW rise and fall times, a 40 wpm signal is twice as 
> wide as a 20  wpm signal. Not everyone knows this,

Right -- because it's only true with a clean signal!
but it's
> easy to test using a second receiver, spectrum analyzer or P3.
> 
> Loud, fast stations are much more likely to get key click complaints. 

Loud, yes. Fast not so much.

> That said, JA radios are consistently too wide.

This is certainly true of Yaesu and ICOM; Kenwood less so. See http://k9yc.com/TXNoise.pdf

73, Jim K9YC

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