[Boatanchors] BOAT ANCHOR QSK

[Ken]

Hi Ed & Gang,

I have used a station layout that gave instantaneous full break-in,
the smoothest possible, for many years. That was back in the
early 50's up into the 80's. This system which I am replicating
requires an electronic T/R switch also. I used a Johnson 
catalog number 250-39 which uses a 6BL7 tube as the "gate".
The station set-up consisted of:

A Central Electronics 100V xmtr & 600L linear amp.
A Hammarlund HQ-129-X rcvr with several simple mods.
A TMC SSB Adapter, GSB-1.
A Johnson Electronic T/R Switch &
A Philco 3" Service Scope.

I have everything ready except the receiver which is giving me
"fits", I fix one thing and two more break down. Hi!

This system needs "grid-block" keying of the xmtr which is
one of the keying methods available on the 100V.
A small SPDT ( single pole double throw) relay needed for
the full break-in operation (and it is absolutely full break-in,
the smoothest possible). No speed limit. I did go into the
receiver along the AVC buss and reduced the value of some
by-pass condensers to improve the speed of recovery of the
AVC voltage. I incorporated "audio driven AGC" which 
can't be beat!
I used to work for the U.S War Department Administrative
Radiotelegraph Network during the draft before WW2 and
into the war. We pushed traffic, stacks of it, at better than
50 WPM. My old trusty Vibroplex is still useful and the
contacts are worn down almost flush with the mountings.
So, the station layout I describe was capable of well more
than 50 WPM.

Didn't mean to get strung out like this Ed but my enthusiasm
for CW is limitless and the layout I used can't be beat in my
opinion!
Take care,

Ken   N5CM

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ed - K9EW" <k9ew57 at gmail.com>
To: <Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2007 7:34 PM
Subject: [Boatanchors] BOAT ANCHOR QSK


> I just finished a project that will allow you to run your separate
> transmitter and receiver boatanchor rigs into a T/R switch that's
> controlled by a keyer.  No relays, and it works great.  It's QSK for
> 15wpm and lower; and it's quasi-QSK above 15wpm.  If you're
> interested, I just published it on my website (www.k9ew.us,  under
> Projects / Boat Anchor QSK).
> 
> 73,
> ed - k9ew