[HCDX] DISTORTION PROOBLEM ON MY RIG

[SailSouth4Fun@xxxxxxx]

Well folks. I have a bit of a problem and don't have a  clue
what may be going on. I have a Kenwood TS-440S that  I
have had for at least 10-15 years now. Up to 2 weeks  ago
everything was working fine. I work phone and CW  with
the radio. Here's the problem. When I work  phone or CW
on 20,15,10 meters the audio and CW tone is distorted.  It
sounds like RF is getting back into the rig but I have  everything
grounded as well as an extra ground wire from the mic  plug
to the radio ground to be sure I don't have a loose  ground
on the mic. Listening on another radio, the CW tone has  a
bit of a distorted kind of chirp. Hard to explain the  sound.
50db/S9 it is loud. If you were to hear me at S4 you  probably
wouldn't notice it at all. The phone audio is unusable. I  am
using a Mosley CL-33 at 60 feet with a well grounded  tower.
This is the same set up that I have used for years.  Kenwood
antenna tuner as well as the internal tuner. I have  changed
configurations around and nothing changes the  problem.
 
Here is where it gets stranger. I have a 40 meter inverted  V
at 40 feet that I also use on the same rig via antenna  switch.
When I work 40, phone or CW, NO distortion. Clean audio  on
phone and a nice clean tone on CW. Still through the  same
tuner and antenna switch. Again, same setup on the rig  and
antenna for 15 years. 
 
I can get by with it on 20,15 and 10 CW but I would really  like
to be able to work phone there also as I have done since  I
was licensed in 1974. Only having 40 phone is getting a  bit
boring.
 
Anyone have any ideas what might have happened in the  last
couple of weeks to distort the upper bands? I would be  very
grateful for any ideas or any help anyone can offer. I am  going
to post this everywhere I think there may be a person that has  a
thought concerning this problem. Thank you in advance.  73,
   
 
Gary W.  Froemming, CTC
Certified Travel Counselor
Glendale, Arizona, USA
WB7CAG  / W7GWF
33.5601N / 112.1841W
Grid Square: DM33vn74vk  
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