[CW] CW Duty Cycle Question

[N2EY@aol.com]

In a message dated 3/17/2004 9:24:42 AM Eastern Standard Time, fkamp@comcast.net writes:

> Now we see that the duty cycle is less than 50 
> percent so we can run our rigs at
> twice the rated maximum without hurting them.

Actually, hams have done that for decades. Tubes and other parts rated for continuous service can often be pushed far beyond those limits if the duty cycle is low enough. Since most hams spend at least 50% of QSO time listening, and the key-down time when transmitting is less than 50%, some liberties can be taken with the ratings. And since most hams are on the air a few hours per day at most, any sacrifice in life is usually not noticed. 

But with other modes and in other services it's a very different story!

73 de Jim, N2EY