[Elecraft] Silly question - what is KEY OUT?

[Darwin, Keith]

OK, so for my needs (driving a code practice oscillator), I'd do better
to take the key output that is available in the accessory connector
PROVIDED my oscillator doesn't generate too much voltage at its inputs
and doesn't source too much current when the inputs are shorted.  Both
of those are easy enough to measure with my DVM

Looks like 10 ma max current, but what is the max voltage?

- Keith N1AS -
- K3 711 -
 

-----Original Message-----
From: K2MK [mailto:k2mk at comcast.net] 
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:51 PM
To: Darwin, Keith; Elecraft Reflector
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Silly question - what is KEY OUT?

Hi Keith:

The Key Out relay is only energized during transmission. This is what
you would want for an amplifier. So for example if you turn your VOX off
and press your key or paddle, the Key Out relay will not energize. If
you turn your VOX on it will energize but you will also be transmitting.
If you are in normal VOX control, the Key Out relay will stay energized
longer than your key press based on your VOX delay setting. So it won't
follow your dits and dahs. I suppose if you turn QSK on, the Key Out
will follow the dits and dahs of your key presses or the internal keyer.

It was mentioned that Key Out is available on the accessory connector. I
use this output for an antenna relay and it is NOT identical to the Key
Out jack we have been discussing. First it is a transistor output with
limited current handling capability. You would need to construct a
driver circuit to interface to it. Second, it IS present when you are
not transmitting. It precisely follows the dits and dahs when VOX is
turned off. When VOX is turned on it has the normal VOX delay applied. I
pointed this out to the factory and Wayne wrote the following:
"This is how it works at present, but based on customer feedback, I may
change it".

73,
Mike K2MK