[K3] Keyer Pause
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I'm trying to get my just built K3 on the air and have encountered a strange pause sometimes in cw character elements. Using a paddle set to Iambic B I frequently see a pause, sometimes a long pause. It seems to be at the last dash of a character.
The pause comes and goes as I try to send and seems to be the same in test mode as well as live. Sometimes the pause is only about a 'dash' in duration, other times more like a 1/2 second. I can immediatly resend the group of words and everything is normal. The paddle is a Begali Leonessa and I use it regularly on their CW machine, usually at 20 or 25 WPM with no problems so I don't think it's paddle adjustments. A straight key on the K3 works fine. I see the same pause with K3 speed set to 16,20 and 25. Most of the settings are default. I changed to Iambic B. QRQ is Off, WGHT is 1.10. I have Fred Cady's book and have tried to set up per his instructions. I'm a total newby to the K3 so I'm sure its something simple but just can't figure it out. Thanks, Don KA1KU ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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>... encountered a strange pause sometimes in cw character elements...
>... a Begali Leonessa and I use it regularly on their CW machine... If I were me, I'd use the CW Machine, and bypass the built-in keyer. External keyer is always better, IMHO, as I'm used to the timing. Ralph, VE7XF ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Donald Thompson
It should not be doing that, and you don't have to use an external keyer to get the best cw of any rig made in the world today. The K3's specialty is cw. But I don't have the answer for you. If someone here doesn't have an answer for you soon call support at the factory. Rick K2XT ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Donald Thompson
*Don:
I agree with Rick -- the K3 internal tuner is just fine and your problem is perplexing. Just one idea, and you have probably already done this: **I have noticed that my Begali is quite sensitive to dirty contacts. On my Begali, intermittent operation is a sure sign the contacts need cleaning. Other than that, sounds like you need to contact Support. 73, Lee (K9CM) * ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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On Sep 4, 2012, at 7:42 AM, Lee Trout <[hidden email]> wrote: > ...I have noticed that my Begali is quite sensitive to dirty contacts. On my > Begali, intermittent operation is a sure sign the contacts need cleaning... > It seems you're correct. I switched to my hex key and the problem went away. Back to Begali and it returned. For example my call becomes KAJ.. and 73 becomes 7V as it delays on the dash. I never suspected the key since I have been using it with the CW Machine with no problems. Perhaps one draws more current? Also, my K3 is in my new radio room, a finished family room 1/2 below grade and with much higher humidity, been from 45 to 70% as I run the dehumidifier. Just wondering if this may be the cause. The CW Machine is upstairs with AC and thus very low humidity. Last, how should I clean the contacts? I think with just a strip of paper but know I must be careful. Also the Leonessa has the contacts stacked vertical with dash on bottom and hard to reach. Thanks, Don KA1KU ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Lee Trout
Hi Don,
I would like to echo Lee's comments. After about 2 years of use my Begali paddle became what I can only call sluggish when used with my K3. I contacted Begali and he sent me an abrasive cleaning strip. It differs from the strip that comes with the paddle. This was thicker and required me to open up the contact spacing to use it. After cleaning I never had another problem. That was about 3 years ago. I suppose it's possible that the tiny resistance that might occur with dirty contacts causes problems with the K3 keyer but does not cause problems with the Begali CW machine.
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These Begali keys that have needed contact cleaning: do they have the
silver contacts, or is it also sometimes necessary with the gold contacts? Peter W0LLN On Tue, Sep 4, 2012 at 8:38 AM, Mike K2MK <[hidden email]> wrote: > Hi Don, > > I would like to echo Lee's comments. After about 2 years of use my Begali > paddle became what I can only call sluggish when used with my K3. I > contacted Begali and he sent me an abrasive cleaning strip. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Donald Thompson-2
Some Begali keys used an alloy that caused the contacts to act like a diode, with a
constant forward voltage drop. This caused problems with some, but not all, keyers, including my K2 internal keyer and a Logikey. Cleaning and Deoxit did not help in this instance. I ordered replacement gold contacts for my Begali Magnetic Pro (not cheap) which completely solved the problem. I also have a newer Begali model which came with silver contacts and it did not display the problem. I suggest that with modern rigs that have very low currents in the key circuit that you only use silver or gold contacts. Regarding cleaning, I always use a business card and don't overdo it. On 9/4/2012 6:22 AM, Donald Thompson wrote: > > > On Sep 4, 2012, at 7:42 AM, Lee Trout <[hidden email]> wrote: > >> ...I have noticed that my Begali is quite sensitive to dirty contacts. On my Begali, >> intermittent operation is a sure sign the contacts need cleaning... >> > > It seems you're correct. I switched to my hex key and the problem went away. Back to > Begali and it returned. For example my call becomes KAJ.. and 73 becomes 7V as it > delays on the dash. I never suspected the key since I have been using it with the CW > Machine with no problems. Perhaps one draws more current? Also, my K3 is in my new > radio room, a finished family room 1/2 below grade and with much higher humidity, been > from 45 to 70% as I run the dehumidifier. Just wondering if this may be the cause. > The CW Machine is upstairs with AC and thus very low humidity. Last, how should I > clean the contacts? I think with just a strip of paper but know I must be careful. > Also the Leonessa has the contacts stacked vertical with dash on bottom and hard to > reach. > > Thanks, Don KA1KU -- Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/ ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Donald Thompson-2
Don . . .
You are correct . . . just a plain sheet of clean paper is all you need. Do NOT use a dollar bill as some will suggest because of the human and leather-wallet oils with which they are contaminated. Close the contacts on the paper until there is slight drag on the paper as you pull it through. If the paper rips, the contacts are too tight. You'll see the dirt on the paper. Continue drawing with another corner of the clean paper until there is no further dirt on the paper. It should go without saying that you must not file the contacts (though you occasionally come across that suggestion, too). 73, Kent K9ZTV On 9/4/2012 8:22 AM, Donald Thompson wrote: > How should I clean the contacts? I think with just a strip of paper > but know I must be careful. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Rick Stealey
On Tue, Sep 4, 2012 at 5:45 AM, Rick Stealey <[hidden email]> wrote:
> > ..you don't have to use an external keyer to get the best cw.... ============= The keyer in the K3 is terrific, generating CW that is as near to perfection as any external keyer. I even had the unusual experience of having one of my clubmates snag me at a meeting to compliment my CW, which gave me a chance to put in a plug for the K3's keyer and its sweet clickless shaping. Tony KT0NY -- http://www.isb.edu/faculty/facultydir.aspx?ddlFaculty=352 ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html |
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In reply to this post by Vic Rosenthal
I've experienced the dissimilar metals problem and agree with Vic that cleaning and DeOxit may only be a temporary fix. Begali has since stopped shipping keys with this type of contact but apparently chose to not support those of us who have the dissimilar metal contacts. Begali has never even responded to several emails about the problem...very disappointing after experiencing Elecraft service...shame on you Begali! I've since relegated my Begali Mono to backup status in favor of an N3ZN ZN-SL which works perfectly and has a much better tactile feel. 73, Bill W4ZV |
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