[Elecraft] K2: Positive or Negative CW Keying? Again

[Bill Coleman]

On Jul 16, 2006, at 10:40 PM, Bernard Gaffney wrote:

> Does the K2 use Positive or Negative keying voltage
> when keying CW via external keyer? Just curious, as
> the WinKey Keyer (non-HV USB version) is only capable
> of keying positive voltages up to 50VDC, and is not
> compatible with XMTR's that use negative keying
> voltages.

Solid state rigs are nearly all universally positive-keying, so the  
WinKey should work just fine.

Negative keying voltages are present in older tube-type rigs that  
used grid-block keying. Typical negative voltages are -100 v or so,  
and the current required is usually 1 mA or so. Other type-type rigs  
are cathode-keyed, and with positive voltages of several hundred  
volts (or more!) and current requirements of tens or hundreds of mA.  
(I always thought cathode-keying was dangerously unsafe, since  
potentially lethal voltages were present across the key)

So, if tubes aren't involved, the WinKey should work fine with most  
any rig.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901