TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS:
PROBLEM: ALL signals are chirpy and unstable.
SOLUTION: Sorry to have to say it , but this condition is only caused by a weak battery! Use a fresh alkaline cell. Any strong signal forces the audio circuit to rob voltage from the oscillator, which cause the instability.
PROBLEM: Occasionally good but erratic operation.
SOLUTION: Check very carefully for a poor solder connection.
PROBLEM: Signals have an unpleasant hissing pitch.
SOLUTION: Try a different set of headphones, different speaker or external audio amplifier. Some cheap headphones designed for casual music listening have an undesirable filtering effect on CW signals.
PROBLEM: Oscillator inoperative or wrong frequency.
SOLUTION: In addition to checking solder joints, be sure that L1 is oriented correctly and that C1, C2, C3 and C4 are installed in correct positions.
PROBLEM: Loud AC hum or buzz.
SOLUTION: If you are using the receiver with a battery or simply for listening (i.e.: not connected to a transmitter or a AC power adapter), these are likely causes of the AC hum:
•No ground connection.
•Receiver located too close to an AC device such an older electric clock,
•Antenna very close to a power cord or house wiring. If your receiver is being used with a transmitter, the transmitter power supply may be the source of the unwanted AC hum. If you are using a
A careful check of all construction WILL solve your problem. Over 95% of the kits returned for repair have nothing more than a simple assembly or construction error!