CW PTT
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I'm considering ordering a K2/100 transceiver and I'm concerned about the lack of a front panel MOX or SEND button . I've read alot of the posts on the reflector concerning the issue. I have used full-break in in the past but not on a regular basis. Is there anyone that is using the K2 that previously has had little experience with full break-in and now finds that this method is totally satisfactory and does not miss the SEND button or at least semi-break-in? The rig sure looks great but I'm in a quandary about this feature.
Frank WY3D _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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On Tue, 2005-07-12 at 19:48 -0400, Frank Mayer wrote:
> Is there anyone that is using the K2 that previously has had little > experience with full break-in and now finds that this method is > totally satisfactory and does not miss the SEND button or at least > semi-break-in? Yes, me. I used to use almost always use semi break-in or a foot switch. The K2's full break-in works so well, I wouldn't use anything else even if it was available. In any case, the K2 is capable of semi break-in, and there is a mod to provide CW PTT. -- 73, Brian VE7NGR _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank Mayer-3
Frank,
I have had a few full break in rigs in the distant past, and back then, I was disappointed; for the last 30 years most of my operating has been semi-break in, and now with the K2, full break in, and I find I really love it; it is a real pleasure to use - for example, in the recent IARU contest, I operated a single op, CW QRP entry; I could hear when someone was stepping on me, I could notice when the station I was calling didn't hear me and started another CQ, and so on. In fact, I am coming to the opinion its more like talking on the phone in the ability to interrupt and be interrupted, if both sides of the QSO are using it. I think you will like it a lot, and if not, I imagine you might be able to set the delay long enough to not do it (I am not really sure because I have not tried it, since I like it as is. And, I am sure you will like the rig; I think its receiver is about as good as my IC-7800, for a lot less money. I liked mine so much, I recently bought a KX1 (more on that in another post. 73 de W5SV, Dave Frank Mayer wrote: >I'm considering ordering a K2/100 transceiver and I'm concerned about the lack of a front panel MOX or SEND button . I've read alot of the posts on the reflector concerning the issue. I have used full-break in in the past but not on a regular basis. Is there anyone that is using the K2 that previously has had little experience with full break-in and now finds that this method is totally satisfactory and does not miss the SEND button or at least semi-break-in? The rig sure looks great but I'm in a quandary about this feature. >Frank WY3D > > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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In reply to this post by Frank Mayer-3
Frank,
With the K2, the only good reasons to use any form of PTT on CW is if one has to switch something like a slow responding amplifier or a VHF/UHF sequencer that takes a substantial amount of time to complete the sequence, or SO2R operation using PTT steering. For most applications neither of these conditions apply - the antenna is connected directly to the K2 and the K2 handles all the T/R switching electronically inside the box. Even if you have a linear that you must switch in-line to transmit, the K2/100 amplifier keying output (or the add-on K2 amplifier keying partial kit for the QRP K2) will properly switch any amplifier that has a reasonable switchover speed. If you happen to have an amplifier that switches slowly, the best answer is to speed it up, or if that is unacceptable, add a CW PTT mod to your K2. I have described how to do that on my website www.w3fpr.qrprqdio.com (or the mirror at www.qsl.net/w3fpr). 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of Frank Mayer > Sent: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 7:49 PM > To: [hidden email] > Subject: [Elecraft] CW PTT > > > I'm considering ordering a K2/100 transceiver and I'm concerned > about the lack of a front panel MOX or SEND button . I've read > alot of the posts on the reflector concerning the issue. I have > used full-break in in the past but not on a regular basis. Is > there anyone that is using the K2 that previously has had little > experience with full break-in and now finds that this method is > totally satisfactory and does not miss the SEND button or at > least semi-break-in? The rig sure looks great but I'm in a > quandary about this feature. > Frank WY3D > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.323 / Virus Database: 267.8.13/47 - Release Date: 7/12/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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On Jul 13, 2005, at 11:14 AM, W3FPR - Don Wilhelm wrote: > Even if you > have a linear that you must switch in-line to transmit, the K2/100 > amplifier > keying output (or the add-on K2 amplifier keying partial kit for > the QRP K2) > will properly switch any amplifier that has a reasonable switchover > speed. How fast is "reasonable"? How slow does the amplifier switchover have to be before we need CW PTT? Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email] Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Bill,
The K2 produces RF about 15 to 20 ms after the KPA100 Amp Keying output goes low, so if an amplifier can be ready to accept RF input properly within that time period, it is fast enough to follow the K2. I would deem that time 'reasonable' for a relay rated for QSK operation. If you happen to have a slow one, there are alternatives that will retain the K2s QSK operation. I have seen relay 'speedup' circuits that pull in a relay faster, alternately the amplifier relay can be replaced with a faster one or replace the relay with a PIN diode T/R switch. It may be less trouble and cost to speed up the amplifier switching than to install the CW PTT. Fast vacuum relays are available surplus, for example a pair of Kilovac HC-1 relays will switch your linear in 6 ms. See http://www.mgs4u.com/relay.htm for one source or do a google search for other sources. 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > > On Jul 13, 2005, at 11:14 AM, W3FPR - Don Wilhelm wrote: > > > Even if you > > have a linear that you must switch in-line to transmit, the K2/100 > > amplifier > > keying output (or the add-on K2 amplifier keying partial kit for > > the QRP K2) > > will properly switch any amplifier that has a reasonable switchover > > speed. > > How fast is "reasonable"? > > How slow does the amplifier switchover have to be before we need CW PTT? > > Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email] > Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" > -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 > > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/80 - Release Date: 8/23/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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On Aug 24, 2005, at 8:49 AM, W3FPR - Don Wilhelm wrote: > The K2 produces RF about 15 to 20 ms after the KPA100 Amp Keying > output goes > low, so if an amplifier can be ready to accept RF input properly > within that > time period, it is fast enough to follow the K2. Great. I just bought an AL-80A from an estate sale and was wondering if the K2 would be hot-switching. The specs indicate a 15 ms relay changeover time, so that should work great with the K2. There are only two issues with the K2/100 and the amplifier: 1) the T- R timing ought to change when using the amp, since it can't do QSK. 2) the K2/100 power output seems to "dither" by about 5-9 watts depending on the power setting. This makes it very hard to tune the amp, since the K2 power output jumps around so much. I realise there's a fix for the latter, by increasing the value of a 270 ohm resistor in the ALC chain. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email] Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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Bill,
You can extend the T/R dropout delay in the K2 menu (T-R Hold or something similar if I recall properly). There is no other provision in the K2 menu that indicates "Amp in-line", and no signal provided to the K2 to indicate the presence of an amplifier. With a 15 ms pull-in relay, I can see no reason why that amplifier cannot do QSK (unless you object to the sound of relays clicking, and the only solution to that is electronic T-R switching). Of course, that does depend on your definition of QSK - if you are looking to hear between dots at 30 wpm, then it is not likely, but to hear between characters at 25 wpm should be 'do-able'. You may find that changing the menu to INP Hand and holding the key down will provide a more constant output level than using TUNE - what you are encountering is the K2 ALC is attempting to keep the output constant. If you use the 10 watt level to tune your amplifier, you will find the leveling resolution to be much finer (more constant level). 73, Don W3FPR > -----Original Message----- > On Aug 24, 2005, at 8:49 AM, W3FPR - Don Wilhelm wrote: > > > The K2 produces RF about 15 to 20 ms after the KPA100 Amp Keying > > output goes > > low, so if an amplifier can be ready to accept RF input properly > > within that > > time period, it is fast enough to follow the K2. > > Great. I just bought an AL-80A from an estate sale and was wondering > if the K2 would be hot-switching. The specs indicate a 15 ms relay > changeover time, so that should work great with the K2. > > There are only two issues with the K2/100 and the amplifier: 1) the T- > R timing ought to change when using the amp, since it can't do QSK. > 2) the K2/100 power output seems to "dither" by about 5-9 watts > depending on the power setting. This makes it very hard to tune the > amp, since the K2 power output jumps around so much. > > I realise there's a fix for the latter, by increasing the value of a > 270 ohm resistor in the ALC chain. > > Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [hidden email] > Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" > -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. > Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/80 - Release Date: 8/23/2005 > No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.338 / Virus Database: 267.10.15/80 - Release Date: 8/23/2005 _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [hidden email] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com |
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