[CW] Break In Operation on CW

[David Ring]

Hello Frank,

I found a replacement for the Chicago Miniature fuse bulb - it is
available from www.1000bulbs.com/Miniature-Indicator-Bulbs/ for a very
reasonable cost.

The item is 12 - Miniature Indicator Lamp - 12 Volt - G3-1/2
Sub-Miniature 2-Pin (G4) - EIKO 12

I also scanned the manual and designers notes and put them on the BAMA archive.

73

DR

On 6/9/08, Frank N. Haas <kb4t at kb4t.us> wrote:
> 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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