K3 And AL-80B

[-.-. --.-N3TU -.-. --.-]

I am thinking of getting a AL-80B and I want to know if the same thing applies like my old Drake L4B. I have a soft key in line to key the amp. Does the modern amps hook up the same way to the K3 like the old Drake L4B or am I going to be pulling out my hair trying to get the K3 to talk to the AL-80?

[Phil Salas]

The AL-80B is easily keyed directly by the K3.  You'll need to build an ALC
interface cable if you use ALC (I don't).  Of course, the AL-80B is not a
QSK amp as it normally comes, so you'll need to extend the K3's "amp key to
RF out" delay to about 15ms to keep from hot-switching the K3 output.

Phil - AD5X

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Keying a "modern" day amp is easy peasy with the K3.  I have an AL-82 and it works great with the K3.  Make sure you set the TX depay to about 15 ms as Phil pointed out.  Works great.  With the older amps, you might have to make some sort of interface, but it might not be necessary.  

By the way....who needs the stinkin' ALC?  I have not used that in years.  If your rig is putting out a linear signal and you are not over driving...there is no need.  Garbage in equals garbage out.

Lee - K0WA

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In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply.  If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it.  If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense.  Is Common Sense divine?

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