[CW] Break In Operation on CW

[Frank N. Haas]

I have run Full Break-in (QSK) ever since my first year as a Ham in 1965. My
reason for going QSK was to improve the efficiency of my NTS message
handling operations. While I'm not much of a traffic handler these days, I
still like QSK and use it all the time. I wish more folks used QSK.
Over the years I have had a variety of power amplifiers. Collins 30L-1 and
Heathkit SB220 series amps are favorites because they are (relatively)
inexpensive yet reliable, easy to repair and replacement parts are
relatively cheap. 
While these veterans of Amateur amplification continue to serve us well, the
high voltage (-140 to -160 volts DC) that must be switched to put them into
operation can destroy the miniature reed relays found in most modern rigs.
Back in the 80's I discovered the QSK 1500 manufactured by Design
Electronics Ohio. Mine has served me for 23 years and continues to do so. 
Despite the choice of relays in newer products, my elderly QSK box uses PIN
Diodes to do the job. The hook up is similar to the new box about to be
offered by Array Solutions but the operation of my QSK 1500 is much simpler
and involves NO MECHANICAL switching. 
The keyer is hooked up to the QSK box as is the Amp "keying" output of the
modern rig. The QSK box senses the dits and dahs and puts the amp in full
operation while rapidly (instantly) switching the RF path back and forth
between the rig and the amp as needed. During a dot or dash, the antenna is
switched to the amp's output and the rig is switched to the amp's input. The
amp is switched from standby to operate and held there until about 2 seconds
after the last keying element ends. During every space between dots, dashes
and words (that is, in step with the key/er) the PIN diodes instantly switch
the antenna between the amp and the rig. It's simple and elegant and it
WORKS! 
DEO went out of business a few years after they introduced the QSK 1500.
When it was new the 1500 sold for $395.00. Ameritron's box sells for about
$300 I think. No price is mentioned for the new Array Solutions box. I
recently bought a spare DEO QSK 1500 and paid $250 for it. These things hold
their value well after all these years!!!
I don't know if the Ameritron unit functions identically to the QSK 1500 as
I have never seen a schematic. The functional description of the Array box
involves keeping the amp in Operate mode and switching the bias to the amp.
This requires a mod to the amp. I wonder how many hams will be willing to go
to that much trouble for full break-in?
I don't want to use anything that involves rapidly switching relays when
something as quiet and reliable as a fully solid state QSK system is
available. All electronic switching is faster than mechanical switching and
there is virtually no wear and tear. 
Ameritron's QSK-5 is a fully solid state option. If I were shopping for a
QSK box to allow me to safely use an older amp for full break-in, I would
choose an all solid state option over anything that uses relays.
73,
Frank KB4T
Florida