[Elecraft] External amplfier keying ..

[John Crux]

Has anyone successfully used an external amp which has relatively 
slow, non-QSK  relays ? When operating as ZS6/G3JAG  I used a 
borrowed Ameritron 4x811-A linear with my K2, but I had to switch it 
in and out by hand, because at that time I did not have the AMP-KIT 
keying circuit on board. (I did not think I would need an amp ...) 

I'm due back in ZS6 in June, so if I use the AMP-KIT circuit to bring 
up the Ameritron, is there any way of stopping the amplifier relay(s) 
trying to drop out between characters ?? In other words, is there 
enough delay at the 8R drive point, or do I really need to switch the 
Ameritron by hand again ? 

I think this question may have been asked before, but so far I have 
not found it in the archives.  In any case, its likely to be relevant 
to the external amp keying outlet for the KPA-100, because not all of 
us have Alpha-77's.  My own homebrew 3x811-A amp has a surplus relay 
that is pretty slow and very noisy - even when mounted on rubber 
shocks.. Its not going to run at QSK speed.

John G3JAG