Lloyd:
Sorry: didn't mean to jinks the foot switch! (hi, hi)
I'll give this a try, and see if I can coordinate things sufficiently here
to get that strategy to work for CW contesting.
I'm also going to pursue the QSK box option, though, just as another
possible option. However, if I can save a few hundred dollars, that's
always preferable. (grin)
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Lloyd Rasmussen
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 6:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Amplifier Question
Yes. That's what I do, if the foot switch works. Of course, since I talked
about it on this listserv this afternoon, it quit working before I started
running the net. So I now have another simple mystery to solve.
Lloyd Rasmussen, Kensington, MD
http://lras.home.sprynet.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Behler
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 4:07 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Amplifier Question
Lloyd:
I have a foot switch that I use with my Heil Gold Line mic for SSB
contesting. In fact, it came in extremely handy yesterday during my W1AW/8
operation as well.
So, are you saying that you just hold the foot switch down during a given CW
transmission to stop the relays from working overtime when doing QSK CW?
I have to admit, I never thought of that.
May be worth a try, although I don't want to risk damaging anything.
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Lloyd Rasmussen
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 3:32 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Amplifier Question
I run my 950 with a foot switch. In CW, the break-in or QSK will key the
transmitter also, but I can always put my foot down during a CW transmission
to hold the relaysin. This has its disadvantages. I don't know whether I
have non-24 or not, but last Sunday afternoon, while running stations on 20
CW during the ARRL contest, I probably left my foot on the switch too long
sometimes and could have missed people calling me. At one point I came to
my senses and discovered that a Swiss station had taken over my frequency,
since I hadn't called CQ there for 10 minutes or so, having nodded off. A
perfect example of "if you snooze, you lose." Anyway, I try to avoid making
the amplifier's relay chatter any more than necessary. It is old, and I
don't know how many cycles it has left in it.
73,
Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Kensington, MD
http://lras.home.sprynet.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Tom Behler
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 10:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Amplifier Question
Hi, all.
Well, I'd now like to tap into the wisdom of the group on an issue I don't
know a whole lot about, so please bare with me.
As I think many of you know, I use an Ameritron AL811H tube-type amplifier
with my TS590 HF setup. I also have an ARB704 buffer box in the circuit, to
protect the relay circuit in the TS590.
I'm actually very happy with the setup, although tuning the amp can be a bit
tricky at times, even with the TW1.
Anyway, the AL811H has a relay circuit that is rather noisy when keying and
unkeying. This is apparent on SSB, and even more apparent on CW. In fact,
the noisy relay circuit is one of the main reasons I don't like to use the
amp when in CW mode, due to the constant and rather annoying relay chatter.
My question is this: Do solid-state amplifiers have relay circuits in them
that are as noisy, or do they tend to be quieter?
There is no way I have the money in my budget right now to purchase a solid
state amp, since I believe they can run into the thousands of dollars, but
I'm wondering if this might be something for me to think about in the long
term?
I'm looking forward to all of your observations and suggestions.
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
|
