[CW] Break In Operation on CW

[Danny Douglas]

I was sitting here wondering what had happened to pin diodes.  I had asked
earlier for some into on how to set up a second reciver (using my normal
antenna which is hooked up to my online rig).  No one came up with a pin
diode switch, that time.

Danny Douglas
N7DC
ex WN5QMX ET2US WA5UKR ET3USA
SV0WPP VS6DD N7DC/YV5 G5CTB
All 2 years or more (except Novice)
Pls QSL direct, buro, or LOTW preferred,
I Do not use, but as a courtesy do upload to eQSL for
those who do.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Frank N. Haas" <kb4t at kb4t.us>
To: "'CW Reflector'" <cw at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 8:34 PM
Subject: RE: [CW] Break In Operation on CW


> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> CW at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/cw


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