[1000mp] Mark V keying/QSK

[Jay Bromley]

Someone the other day commented on the QSK for the FT-1000 Mark V Field.  I
wasn't going to add anything, but last night I got to playing with the Mark
V and was very pleased to learn that you can make the Mark V much better on
QSK.  When I bought the rig I knew full well that the Yaesu keying wasn't
the greatest.  Comparison rigs here are the TS-950sdx, TS-850, TS-870, 756
Pro II, Omni 6, Jupiter, K2, and many QRP rigs over the years ( the QRP rigs
will spoil you on break-in!).

Anyway last night some locals were on playing around with MixW on CW, so I
decided to join in.  While I was getting the keyboard going on my DX4WIN and
MixW software, I noticed how much better the keying was on the Mark V using
an external keyer instead of  the stock internal keyer.  I noticed the same
thing on my Kenwood rigs years ago and I have always used the Cmos III keyer
externally on them.  After I got the setup right on the programs I asked my
buds to send at the same time to see if I could hear their signal in between
my characters.  In the beginning it was like using VOX with a long delay and
no signals.  So I broke out the old manual and took a look at menu 7-4 Keyer
break-in time and 7-5 Keyer delay.  Now if you are like me and don't like to
read the manual you will assume that these menus are for the internal keyer
only.  As you sharp guys know this is not correct.  My 7-5 was setup way to
long--- 2.5 seconds.

You can adjust Menu 7-5 (Keyer delay) from a semi break-in 5.10 seconds to a
QSK break-in of 0 seconds.  Menu 7-4 is CW break-in time ( think start up).
7-4 is like 7-5, but in reverse.  I am sure this has been posted many times,
but after setting my 7-4 to 5 ms and 7-5 to 0 the Mark V performed really
well.  Those famous Yaesu thumps are much worse using the stock internal
keyer, the Mark V monitor, and a high impedance headset.  After turning off
the Mark V's monitor and using the rigs sidetone the break-in was ever bit
as good as my Icom 756 Pro II.  Both rigs have that clicking when using QSK,
but no more thumps using the speaker setup or a Heil Pro set.  I think the
Heils have a fairly low impedance so this might help with the thumps?

I came home today for quick lunch break and tried out the Mark V Field right
against my K2.  The K2 doesn't have the clicking like the Mark V or the 756
Pro II, but I am hearing between the characters now that the Menus are setup
right on the Mark V.  Keying speed was tested between 30 and 40 wpm.  For
the record my K2 is just the stock QRP version and I would expect much
better break-in (thumps or clicks) on it than with a 100 watt rig.

MixW has simular timing features that can screw up the QSK break-in, but
that is another story!  I like the Mark V more everyday.  At first I didn't
think it was a great rig and sometimes I would make a change in the menus
and not read the manual making the Mark V's performance much worse!  I
thought I was the master and had to learn the hard way.  Like when I changed
the Frontend Amp selection (Menu 8-4) from Flat to Tuned.  Later I learn
this added a ton of noise on 10m and the manual goes into great detail why.

I am not sure if any of this was benifical and your mileage may vary!  If
any of this helps please let me know.

73 de jay/w5jay..