Ranger Buzz

[K6JEK]

Ranger Buzz.  Does that ring a bell with anyone?  I passed a very pretty Ranger II off to my pal Gary, K6GLH, and the thing has a nasty looking waveform, noisy, buzzy.  That's in CW as heard on a monitor receiver or viewed on a scope.

I have some dim recollection of a common affliction, Ranger Buzz, but can't remember much more. I haven't done anything with Rangers in a long, long time.  This one was gathering dust.  Now, however, it's providing unexpected entertainment.

Meanwhile, Gary's Desk KW is pining for some drive.

Thanks,

Jon

[WQ9E]

It could be power supply filter caps but first I would check to see if the buzz is also present with a crystal, it could be heater cathode leakage in the VFO tube.  If it has the keyer tube installed, this can also hum modulate the VFO via heater cathode leakage. 

[Knightt150]

If this RANGER has been setting for a long time and was turned on the HV filter caps probibly did not form correctly. If you check the caps they will show a higher value than the 10 mf that it should be. The cap needs and new one in it's place.

[K6JEK]

Thanks for the tips.  It turned out to be e) none of the above.  Someone who shall remain nameless was overloading the SDR he was using as a spectrum analyzer.  Again.  This person shall remain nameless.