[ICOM] IC-746 PRO Keying

[Jeff Freedman]

Thanks Larry - now you see the source of my confusion. Analized the exact
same resource as you.

I'll give it another shot next time I'm at that QTH (country cabin in the
woods).

Appreciate your help - thanks again!

Jeff K7JF

Date: Mon, 31 Dec 2012 12:55:39 -0800
From: "Larry L. Hinton" <hinton.ll at frontier.com>
To: "'ICOM Reflector'" <icom at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [ICOM] IC-746 PRO Keying
Message-ID: <02fc01cde799$312c1ec0$93845c40$@ll at frontier.com>
Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"

Hey all.

I understand the confusion. The Instruction Manual (A-6085H-1US-2) states: 

a. Iambic Key paddle: Use a 6.35(d) mm (1/4") STEREO plug and connect to the
[ELEC-KEY] jack located on the front of the radio. b. Straight Key: Use a
6.35(d) mm (1/4") MONO plug and connect key to the back of the radio. c.
External Keyer: Use a 6.35(d) mm (1/4") MONO plug and connect to the back of
the radio. d. Computer Keying: Use a 6.35(d) mm (1/4") MONO plug and connect
to the back of the radio.

HOWEVER, the wiring diagram for the straight key (diagrammed to the [KEY]
jack on the back panel) shows a "STEREO" plug with the tip as (+) and the
sleeve as (-).

I found the service manual and took a look at the keyer [KEY] jack for the
back panel. It actually makes no difference which plug is used as long as
the (+) is tip and the (-) is on the sleeve. According to the schematic, the
ring is not connected unless someone has modified the unit so shorting the
tip and ring in this jack is not an issue.

I meant to add that if you use a STEREO plug for the straight key and wire
it as shown in the manual, you can use it either in the front [ELECT-KEY] or
the rear [KEY] jacks.

Larry
K7YBZ