[Elecraft] Re: Issues with cw keying line in N1MM with K3?

[Ed K1EP]

At 7/12/2008 04:31 PM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:

> > The other side of the story is that it is one extra piece of
> > equipment to bring along on an expedition or have around the
> > shack.  It is one more point of failure.  Take TX5C as an example,
> > most of their MicroHam CW interfaces failed on the expedition and
> > they were forced to use straight keys and paddles.
>
>That's complete nonsense and you need to stop making false statements!

I apologize if I inferred that the Microham units were defective or 
failed due to workmanship or design.  The expedition lost the use of 
three out of the four CW interfaces they brought, as you say, most 
likely due to lightening or environmental conditions.  I was not 
trying to knock Microham or Winkey or any other interface.  The point 
I was trying to make was that when it comes to reliability, more 
electronics you have, the more points of failure you will have, 
however that failure occurs.

>Only one unit (a DigiKeyer) failed at TX5C and it did NOT include
>a WinKey.  The failed unit was a DXpediton loan unit and was not
>been returned for evaluation.  Given conditions on the trip, the
>failure is probably due to environmental conditions (power problems,
>lightning, saltwater bath, etc.) rather than a circuit failure.
>
>The three microKEYER II units from the trip are in use in the home
>stations of three team members (they asked for cables to use them
>with their home stations when they returned) and the other two
>DigiKeyers on loan for the trip were returned in good shape.
>
>73,
>
>    ... Joe Subich, W4TV
>        microHAM America
>        http://www.microHAM-USA.com
>        http://groups.yahoo.com/group/microHAM
>        support at microham.com
>