From: "Todd, KA1KAQ" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
One thing to keep in mind with running a converted BC transmitter is
that it is intermittent service, not full-strap 24/7. Cooling
shouldn't be a problem, though proper ventilation and a decent blower
or two are always a plus. Was working on the 300G last night and is
amazes me how much air the two-squirrel blower moves.
And probably how much noise it makes.
My Gates BC1-T was far too noisy to use in the shack near the operating
position when I first got it converted and on the air. The mod reactor
talked back like a PA speaker, the blowers sounded like a vacuum cleaner
running and the a.c. contactor relays sounded like a chain saw.
I replaced the mod reactor with a potted unit that I had on hand, and it is
very quiet. I converted the relay circuitry so that all the control relays
run off DC. There are two blower fans in the transmitter, each with 110v
motors, connected in series to run off 220. I moved the wire to the motors
to a 110v tap, so that each motor now is running on 55 volts. They work
very well at half voltage and are whisper quiet (although still audible),
but still move plenty of air. I mounted a toggle switch to fill an extra
hole that was on the front panel, which allows me to cut the blowers
completely off. I have never had any problem with anything overheating with
the fans turned off, but in warm weather or when I operate the rig for an
extended period I usually run them, but in winter for one short QSO I
usually turn the fans off.
With the mods, the Gates is almost as quiet as my homebrew transmitters,
none of which even have any blower fans.
There are few things I find more annoying over the air than to hear someone
transmitting on phone, and the blower noise in the background is almost as
loud as their voice. "Big Guns" on SSB are notorious for that.
Don k4kyv
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