[NLRS] Using CW on Icom 475H and 910H

[Richard Clem]

>>>>Hello, I'm Todd KC9BQA and I'm a No-Code Tech.

(and the audience responds with "Hi Todd")<<<<

Hi, Todd.


>>>>I'm going to AES in Milwaukee either later today or 
tomorrow morning and I'm going to just go ahead and get 
their budget straight key. It should be good enough for 
now... right?? If it's not, please advise.<<<<<

That should be more than adequate.  At some point, you'll probably want to get
something better, especially if the rig has a built in keyer.  But for a
contest, all you need to send is your call, the other guy's call, and your
grid.  

>>>>>>>My Icom manuals say that I need a stereo plug for 
straight key ops with the 910H. So I'll make sure I 
get that as well. The 475H manual doesn't specify one 
way or the other. Do I need a stereo plug there as well?<<<<<<<

I'm not familiar with those particular rigs, but I'm about 99% certain that if
you use a stereo plug, with one terminal hooked to the tip, and the other one
hooked to the "ground" connection, that's how to set it up.  (In other words,
leave the "middle" connection not connected to anything.)

With most rigs, you can go ahead and use a mono plug, but in some cases, that
will hold your key down.

If the rig has a built-in keyer, generally, the "ground" connection is common,
the tip is dits, and the ring is dahs (or maybe it's the other way around).

You might need to go through your rig's menus and turn off the keyer.  If you
don't, you'll get a series of dits whenever you press the key. 

>>>>>>>>>Then there's the matter of full/semi break-in or just 
leaving that switch to "off". Not really sure what that's 
all about. <<<<<<<<<

Break-in is basically the same thing as VOX--it switches to transmit whenever
you push down the key.  "Full" breakin probably means that the relay reacts
very rapidly, so that the receiver comes back on between dits (or at least
between individual letters).  "Semi" breakin means that it's set a bit slower,
so that it takes a second or so to switch back to receiver.

Personally, I prefer to have it set a bit slower, as I find the relay
chattering to be a bit annoying.

If you turn it off, this means that you need to switch manually to transmit
before you start sending.  If the rig has a "transmit/receive" switch, you can
use that, or in many cases, you can just push the PTT button on the
microphone.

Sometimes, it's handy to leave the break-in turned off, so that if you
accidentally bump the key, you don't go on the air, but that's a personal
preference.

You'll find that CW is the only way to work some people (like me) who have
otherwise marginal signals!  Don't hesitate to say "PSE QRS" ("please slow
down!!").  In my case, that's sometimes hard to do, since I can't find the
menu with the keyer speed.  So don't freak out if the individual letters are
still fast, with lots of space between them.  Eventually, I'll find that menu
and slow down for you!

Since there's a pretty close to zero chance that I'll work you on 432 (with my
5 watts and dipole!), I probably won't see you in this contest.  But since you
have the key, be sure to give it a try on 80 or 40 meters, where I'll be able
to work you with ease, or 15 or 10 meters, where you can work a lot of DX!

GL & 73,
Rick W0IS