Updated: Dec 9, 2025 | Source: 2024-2028 Question Pool | Topic: E8D
E8D05E8D

What is the most common method of reducing key clicks?

Deep Dive: E8D05

The correct answer is A: Increase keying waveform rise and fall times. The most common method of reducing key clicks is to increase the keying waveform rise and fall times. Longer rise/fall times create smoother transitions that don't generate wide-bandwidth noise. Key clicks are caused by sharp transitions (short rise/fall times) that create high-frequency components. By increasing the rise and fall times, the transitions become smoother (more gradual), eliminating the high-frequency components that cause key clicks. This is typically done with a keying waveform shaper circuit that slows down the transitions. Most modern transceivers have adjustable keying speed or built-in keying filters that increase rise/fall times to prevent key clicks.

Why Other Answers Are Wrong

Option B: Incorrect. Low-pass filters at the transmitter output can help reduce key clicks, but increasing rise/fall times is the most common and effective method. Filters are a secondary solution. Option C: Incorrect. Reducing rise/fall times would make key clicks worse, not better. You need longer (increased) rise/fall times. Option D: Incorrect. High-pass filters would remove low frequencies, not the high frequencies that cause key clicks. Low-pass filters might help, but increasing rise/fall times is the primary method.

Exam Tip

Reduce key clicks = Increase rise/fall times. Remember: The most common method to reduce key clicks is to increase the keying waveform rise and fall times. Longer transitions eliminate the high-frequency components that cause key clicks.

Memory Aid

**R**educe **K**ey **C**licks = **I**ncrease **R**ise/**F**all (think 'RKC = IRF')

Real-World Example

Your CW transmitter is generating key clicks. You adjust the keying waveform shaper to increase the rise and fall times from 1 millisecond to 5 milliseconds. The transitions are now smoother, and the key clicks disappear. The longer rise/fall times eliminate the sharp transitions that were creating wide-bandwidth noise.

Source & Coverage

Question Pool: 2024-2028 Question Pool

Subelement: E8D

Reference: FCC Part 97.3

Key Concepts

Key clicks Rise and fall time Keying waveform CW keying

Verified Content

Question from the official FCC Extra Class pool. Explanation reviewed by licensed amateur radio operators and mapped to the E8D topic.