I recently ran into a similar issue when interfacing an Ameitron QSK-5, K3, and SPE 1K amplifier. Regardless of power through the QSK-5, it produces an audible "tick" when keying. Yes, there are two relays inside the QSK-5 unit, but neither is the cause.
It turns out that the QSK-5's PIN diodes are being biased with moderately high voltage. The ticking sound follows the application of diode bias. I could swear it was the input signaling relay when I tried to localize the sound. Only, the PCB is functioning as an acoustical sound board (akin to a piano or violin), amplifying the "tick" produced by the biasing of the PIN diodes. I still don't know the exact ticking mechanism. I've heard similar effects when using high-voltage transistors. Anyone who has worked extensively with these transistors or high-power PIN diodes care to add an explanation? Paul, W9AC ----- Original Message ----- From: "AC7JW" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 12:40 AM Subject: [Elecraft] [K3] RE: K3: Relay noise? > > Thanks Steve. > > It's sure strange that I get the same click whether I run 1 W, or 100 W. > I > could understand some sort of residual magnetic effect (for lack of a > better > term) causing some mechanical movement to create the noise if it was only > present while running high power, in which case high currents are present, > and thus the potential for a powerful magnetic field. But at 1 watt- there > is something else going on. In any case, I don't think it's a problem- > just > an annoyance. > > Jason > > > > From: Steve Ellington [via Elecraft] > [mailto:[email protected]] > Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 8:57 PM > To: AC7JW > Subject: Re: K3: Relay noise? > > > > I used some plastic tubing stuck in one ear trying to track it down. I > narrowed it down to one relay but it's been at least 6 months ago and I > can't recall which one made the noise. I had suggestions to check for > loose > ferrite chokes along the high current DC line but that wasn't the source. > If > > I happen to remember which relay it was, I'll post it here. 73 > Steve > N4LQ > [hidden email] > <http://n2.nabble.com/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&node=4143590&i=0> > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "AC7JW" <[hidden email] > <http://n2.nabble.com/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&node=4143590&i=1> > > To: <[hidden email] > <http://n2.nabble.com/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&node=4143590&i=2> > > Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 9:40 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3: Relay noise? > > >> >> I've followed this thread concerning a QSK clicking noise through all >> comments, as well as other similar threads on the list, but it doesn't >> appear as if anyone ever came to a firm conclusion as to origin of this >> clicking noise. As others have stated, I can hear a very faint mechanical >> clicking that follows my code when using QSK. It sounds like it's coming >> from the KPA100 region, but I can't tell for sure. >> Did anyone ever come to a conclusion, or receive any information from >> Elecraft? >> >> Thanks- >> Jason AC7JW >> >> >> Steve Ellington wrote: >>> >>> Is there a mechanical relay that follows keying? I've had my K3 for >>> nearly >>> a >>> year and didn't notice any relay noise until lately. I know the antenna >>> TR >>> is done by pin diodes but I can now hear the faint click of a small >>> relay > >>> that wasn't there before. I'm using ver. 2.8 >>> Steve Ellington >>> [hidden email] > <http://n2.nabble.com/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&node=4143590&i=3> >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:[hidden email] > <http://n2.nabble.com/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&node=4143590&i=4> >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> >>> >> >> -- >> View this message in context: >> http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Relay-noise-tp2269079p4143403.html >> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. >> ______________________________________________________________ >> Elecraft mailing list >> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: mailto:[hidden email] > <http://n2.nabble.com/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&node=4143590&i=5> >> >> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > ---- > > > > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 9.0.709 / Virus Database: 270.14.101/2555 - Release Date: > 12/09/09 > 14:41:00 > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > <http://n2.nabble.com/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&node=4143590&i=6> > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > > > _____ > > View message @ http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Relay-noise-tp2269079p4143590.html > To unsubscribe from Re: K3: Relay noise?, click > < (link removed) > 6b25lLm5ldHw0MTQzNDAzfDM0MTY1ODI0MA==> here. > > > > > -- > View this message in context: > http://n2.nabble.com/K3-Relay-noise-tp2269079p4143797.html > Sent from the [K3] mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
