[Elecraft] External amp keying

[John Crux]

Thanks to all who replied to my posting on switching external amps 
which incorporate fairly slow  clunky relays. Summarising -

1. The K2 firmware revision 2 has a T/R relay delay feature built in, 
as an adjustable option. Its my fault K2 #609 still has the old 
firmware in it. Must swap it before going to ZS6 again ...

2. For those who must have near instaneous QSK,  vacuum relays are a 
solution - sadly expensive, with a finite life. It cost me $120 to 
replace the one in myTenTec Hercules II amplifier.

3. Those content with a slightly longer delay and wishing to 
experiment, might look at the Finder 41 series of low profile PCB 
mount relays, with a claimed 7-8ms operating time and current 
switching capacity of 12 amps (SPDT model)  At under $5 in UK (from 
Maplins) they seem worth study. 
The next time my Hercules II vacuum relay packs up, I'll be replacing 
it with a Finder 4131 ... its cold switched anyway and the only 
problem with TenTec QSK versus Elecraft is the racket in the (TenTec) 
headphones. 

4. I think some of us want a  KPA-1500 ....

John G3JAG