[1000mp] relay thing...deeeef receiver

[Tod]

> 
> I have not ever used an amp. Worse is that I almost never 
> transmit, which given the contact dewetting mode of failure 
> that has been postulated, probably makes my rig more 
> susceptible. That is where I am worrying because it seems to 
> me that unless the relay contacts have been improved or Yeasu 
> comes up with a low DC current to add to the contacts to 
> prevent the dewetting, I am just going to have the problem 
> all over again. Are there better relays (that fit the board) 
> or has Yeasu changed the spec. on the relay and improved 
> things? I suspect a partial solution is to rag chew a lot (I 
> am pretty much CW only), and cycle the T/R relay, but that is 
> not answering my needs right now.


I rather suspect that the solution is to have a small current flow
periodically through the relay or to cycle the relay periodically. I have
noticed this problem but fortunately only very, very,very infrequently and
it disappears when I go through a single T/R cycle. I probably go through
enough T/R cycles in a single ARRL SS event to avoid seeing the problem. 

I suppose that sending QSK CW into a dummy load for about one minute prior
to starting your listening session might be adequate to "exercise" the relay
and avoid the problem. If this really did do the trick I would suppose that
we could create a computer program that would provide the T/R relay exercise
on a regular basis. 

At this point I suggest we find a way to treat the symptom and forget who is
acknowledging that there is a problem. If regular exercise prevents
'emergency surgery' I suspect that would be the preferred "work around" for
most folks.

Tod, K0TO