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KEEP-ALIVE VOLTAGE—DC voltage applied to a tr gap electrode to produce a glow discharge that
allows the tube to ionize faster when the transmitter fires [18].
KEY-CLICK FILTERS—Filters used in keying systems to prevent key-click interference [12].
KEY CLICKS—Interference in the form of "clicks" or "thumps" caused by the sudden application or
removal of power [12].
KEYED-OSCILLATOR TRANSMITTER—A transmitter in which one stage is used to produce the RF
pulse [18].
KEYER—(1) A device that changes dc pulses to mark and space modulation for teletypewriter
transmissions [17]. (2) A synchronizer [18].
KEYING RELAYS—Relays used in radio transmitters where the ordinary hand key cannot accommodate
the plate current without excessive arcing [12].
KILO—A prefix meaning one thousand [1].
KINETIC ENERGY—Energy that a body possesses by virtue of its motion [1].
KIRCHHOFF'S LAWS—(1) The algebraic sum of the current flowing toward any point in a circuit and
the current flowing away from it is zero. (2) The algebraic sum of the products of the current and
resistance in each of the conductors in any closed path in a network is equal to the algebraic sum of the
electromotive forces in the path [1].
KLYSTRON POWER AMPLIFIER—A multicavity microwave electron tube that uses velocity
modulation [18].
KNEE OF THE CURVE—The point of maximum curvature of a magnetization curve. (Shaped like the
knee of a leg that is bent.) [8]
LACING SHUTTLE—A device upon which lacing may be wound to prevent fouling the tape or cord and
to aid the lacing process. (Usually made from brass, aluminum, fiber, or plastic) [4].
LAG—The amount one wave is behind another in time; expressed in electrical degrees [2].
LAMINATED CORE—A core built up from thin sheets of metal insulated from each other and used in
transformers [2].
LANDS—Conductors or runs on pcbs [14].
LAP WINDING—An armature winding in which opposite ends of each coil are connected to adjoining
segments of the commutator so that the windings overlap [5].
LARGE SCALE INTEGRATION (lsi)—An integrated circuit containing 1,000 to 2,000 logic gates or up
to 64,000 bits of memory [14].
LASER—An acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation [17].
LAW OF MAGNETISM—Like poles repel; unlike poles attract [1].
LC CAPACITOR-INPUT FILTER—This is the most common type of filter. It is used in a power supply
where output current is low and load current is relatively constant [7].
