Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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Dear Elecrafters:
I am selling my TS-2000 and building a K3/XV-144 for EME on 2m as well as normal modes and digital on HF My question is, has anyone figured out how to eliminate using a rigblaster when using a K3 with a sequencer (LNA Technologies)? The K3 isolates the audio signals, but I don't see how I can pick off the PTT without making it cumbersome to use on HF digital modes (sequencer not used). Right now I use the LNA Technologies mic cable to pick off the PTT coming from the rigblaster, send it to the sequencer, then it comes back to the rig from the sequencer (with the preamp and amp PTT controlled by the sequencer also). This requires using a serial switch--sending the computer signals either to the K3 (or TS-2000) directly for all other digital modes, but sending it to the rigblaster when using 2m for EME. I would really like to find a solution where I don't have to constantly swap cables, or cut into the XV-144's PTT line to send it to the sequencer since this means I would then always have to use the sequencer for 2m. Any and all help appreciated. Please reply to my email directly. 73, Eric WD6DBM _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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How much delay do you need? I use the 50 mS delay from the key out
jack, to drive the amp. Dave Wilburn NM4M eric norris wrote: > Dear Elecrafters: > > I am selling my TS-2000 and building a K3/XV-144 for EME on 2m as well as normal modes and digital on HF > > My question is, has anyone figured out how to eliminate using a rigblaster when using a K3 with a sequencer (LNA Technologies)? > > The K3 isolates the > audio signals, but I don't see how I can pick off the PTT without > making it cumbersome to use on HF digital modes (sequencer not used). > Right now I use the LNA Technologies mic cable to pick off the PTT > coming from the rigblaster, send it to the sequencer, then it comes > back to the rig from the sequencer (with the preamp and amp PTT > controlled by the sequencer also). > > This requires using a serial switch--sending the computer signals either to the K3 (or TS-2000) directly for all other digital modes, but sending it to the rigblaster when using 2m for EME. > > I would really like to find a solution where I don't have to constantly swap cables, or cut into the XV-144's PTT line to send it to the sequencer since this means I would then always have to use the sequencer for 2m. > > Any and all help appreciated. Please reply to my email directly. > > 73, > > Eric WD6DBM > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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Hi Dave,
You raise an interesting question....maybe that is the elegant solution to integrating the K3 into old kluge-like VHF stations with lots of coaxial relays, homebrew amplifiers, etc. PTT output jack on the rear of the K3 could optionally be configured as a sequencer itself, so it would close an adjustable amount of time (up to a second) BEFORE any RF would be permitted to be generated after the rig is put into XMIT by either the microphone/footswicth or the serial port PTT lines. Certainly, this option would not be selected by those who want to work QSK! But they would simply not choose the option. If this option were stored by band, you could have a built-in sequencer only on certain bands, and QSK on other bands! With such an option, you would never have to worry about blowing anything up, regardless of how the K3 incoming PTT line itself was keyed ;-) What do you think, Elecraft? VY 73, Lance David Wilburn wrote: > How much delay do you need? I use the 50 mS delay from the key out > jack, to drive the amp. > > Dave Wilburn > NM4M > > eric norris wrote: >> Dear Elecrafters: >> >> I am selling my TS-2000 and building a K3/XV-144 for EME on 2m as well as normal modes and digital on HF >> >> My question is, has anyone figured out how to eliminate using a rigblaster when using a K3 with a sequencer (LNA Technologies)? >> >> The K3 isolates the >> audio signals, but I don't see how I can pick off the PTT without >> making it cumbersome to use on HF digital modes (sequencer not used). >> Right now I use the LNA Technologies mic cable to pick off the PTT >> coming from the rigblaster, send it to the sequencer, then it comes >> back to the rig from the sequencer (with the preamp and amp PTT >> controlled by the sequencer also). >> >> This requires using a serial switch--sending the computer signals either to the K3 (or TS-2000) directly for all other digital modes, but sending it to the rigblaster when using 2m for EME. >> >> I would really like to find a solution where I don't have to constantly swap cables, or cut into the XV-144's PTT line to send it to the sequencer since this means I would then always have to use the sequencer for 2m. >> >> Any and all help appreciated. Please reply to my email directly. >> >> 73, >> >> Eric WD6DBM >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 >> > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > -- Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8) P.O. Box 73 Frenchtown, MT 59834 USA QTH: DN27UB TEL: (406) 626-5728 URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj 2m DXCC #11, 6m DXCC #815 _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by dave.wilburn
There are also two DIGI OUT lines that are currently, I think,
uncommitted. 73, doug Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 21:55:23 +0000 From: Lance Collister <[hidden email]> Hi Dave, You raise an interesting question....maybe that is the elegant solution to integrating the K3 into old kluge-like VHF stations with lots of coaxial relays, homebrew amplifiers, etc. PTT output jack on the rear of the K3 could optionally be configured as a sequencer itself, so it would close an adjustable amount of time (up to a second) BEFORE any RF would be permitted to be generated after the rig is put into XMIT by either the microphone/footswicth or the serial port PTT lines. Certainly, this option would not be selected by those who want to work QSK! But they would simply not choose the option. If this option were stored by band, you could have a built-in sequencer only on certain bands, and QSK on other bands! With such an option, you would never have to worry about blowing anything up, regardless of how the K3 incoming PTT line itself was keyed ;-) What do you think, Elecraft? VY 73, Lance David Wilburn wrote: > How much delay do you need? I use the 50 mS delay from the key out > jack, to drive the amp. > > Dave Wilburn > NM4M > > eric norris wrote: >> Dear Elecrafters: >> >> I am selling my TS-2000 and building a K3/XV-144 for EME on 2m as well as normal modes and digital on HF >> >> My question is, has anyone figured out how to eliminate using a rigblaster when using a K3 with a sequencer (LNA Technologies)? >> >> The K3 isolates the >> audio signals, but I don't see how I can pick off the PTT without >> making it cumbersome to use on HF digital modes (sequencer not used). >> Right now I use the LNA Technologies mic cable to pick off the PTT >> coming from the rigblaster, send it to the sequencer, then it comes >> back to the rig from the sequencer (with the preamp and amp PTT >> controlled by the sequencer also). >> >> This requires using a serial switch--sending the computer signals either to the K3 (or TS-2000) directly for all other digital modes, but sending it to the rigblaster when using 2m for EME. >> >> I would really like to find a solution where I don't have to constantly swap cables, or cut into the XV-144's PTT line to send it to the sequencer since this means I would then always have to use the sequencer for 2m. >> >> Any and all help appreciated. Please reply to my email directly. >> >> 73, >> >> Eric WD6DBM >> _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by WD6DBM
Eric,
You may be able to dispense with the Rigblaster if you activate the sequencer with the K3 KEYOUT signal rather than PTT. If you need more sequencer time than the 20 ms. maximum provided by the CONFIG: TX DLY, one of your sequencer outputs could provide the TX INH input to the K3 to hold off RF until the sequencer cycle completes. The TX INH may be set to use either a positive or negative logic state signal. 73, Don W3FPR eric norris wrote: > Dear Elecrafters: > > I am selling my TS-2000 and building a K3/XV-144 for EME on 2m as well as normal modes and digital on HF > > My question is, has anyone figured out how to eliminate using a rigblaster when using a K3 with a sequencer (LNA Technologies)? > > The K3 isolates the > audio signals, but I don't see how I can pick off the PTT without > making it cumbersome to use on HF digital modes (sequencer not used). > Right now I use the LNA Technologies mic cable to pick off the PTT > coming from the rigblaster, send it to the sequencer, then it comes > back to the rig from the sequencer (with the preamp and amp PTT > controlled by the sequencer also). > > This requires using a serial switch--sending the computer signals either to the K3 (or TS-2000) directly for all other digital modes, but sending it to the rigblaster when using 2m for EME. > > I would really like to find a solution where I don't have to constantly swap cables, or cut into the XV-144's PTT line to send it to the sequencer since this means I would then always have to use the sequencer for 2m. > > Any and all help appreciated. Please reply to my email directly. > > 73, > > Eric WD6DBM > > 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by dave.wilburn
Lance,
It has already been thought of and included in the K3 - see below. I am not sure if you are referring to the KEY OUT jack on the back of the K3 or the PTT jack. The PTT jack is an input - one would plug the footswitch into it, or alternately use the PTT on the microphone or the PTT from the RS-232 input. KEY OUT becomes active as soon as the PTT is activated - there is also a KEYOUT-LP signal on the ACC connector that acts the same as the KEY OUT jack except with a limit of 10 ma. The K3 normally transmits RF after the KEY OUT is active by the amount of time entered into the CONFIG menu TX DLY parameter - that provides a maximum of 20 ms RF delay. For those who need more time that that, there is the TX INH function that can be configured for pin 7 of the ACC connector - it can be configured for either TX INH LO=Inh or HI=Inh. This signal will prevent the K3 from transmitting RF until the inhibit signal goes away. See the K3 Owner's manual page 19. 73, Don W3FPR Lance Collister wrote: > Hi Dave, > > You raise an interesting question....maybe that is the elegant solution to > integrating the K3 into old kluge-like VHF stations with lots of coaxial relays, > homebrew amplifiers, etc. > > PTT output jack on the rear of the K3 could optionally be configured as a > sequencer itself, so it would close an adjustable amount of time (up to a second) > BEFORE any RF would be permitted to be generated after the rig is put into XMIT by > either the microphone/footswicth or the serial port PTT lines. > > Certainly, this option would not be selected by those who want to work QSK! But > they would simply not choose the option. If this option were stored by band, you > could have a built-in sequencer only on certain bands, and QSK on other bands! > With such an option, you would never have to worry about blowing anything up, > regardless of how the K3 incoming PTT line itself was keyed ;-) > > What do you think, Elecraft? VY 73, Lance > > 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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<snip> there is the TX INH function that can be configured for pin 7 of the
ACC connector Although I didn't instigate the question, I'd missed that option Don, thanks for that. 73 Andy http://www.gd0tep.com _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Hi Don,
Thanks for your suggestion regarding the TX INH function. I suppose that is one approach that would work, although it does not address the question of providing up to a second delay within the K3. If an outboard timer system or sequencer were used, then a voltage could be applied to the TX INH as you suggest.... Of course, if an external sequencer has to be used anyway, then the sequencer might as well just trigger the PTT line of the K3 after the required safe delay. Unless I am totally missing the boat here (which certainly happens), it seems to me that the cleanest way to make the K3 flexible enough to replace existing equipment requiring external sequencers, would be to be able to adjust the time between K3 PTT keying and the KEY OUT jack and/or KEYOUT-LP pin (or some other available pin) closure between standard short delay (20 ms) or a long delay (for example, selectable between .2, .4, .6, .8 or 1 second). Obviously, if a long delay option was selected, you certainly run the risk of chopping off syllables or CW charactere if the VOX control were used, so maybe it only makes sense for an option like that for a long delay only be available when VOX operation is not activated. To me, one of the most attractive things about the K3 is its incomparable flexibility... and I just love that it keeps getting even better and packing even more functions into that same single feature-packed little package! VY 73, Lance Don Wilhelm wrote: > Lance, > > It has already been thought of and included in the K3 - see below. > > I am not sure if you are referring to the KEY OUT jack on the back of > the K3 or the PTT jack. > The PTT jack is an input - one would plug the footswitch into it, or > alternately use the PTT on the microphone or the PTT from the RS-232 input. > KEY OUT becomes active as soon as the PTT is activated - there is also a > KEYOUT-LP signal on the ACC connector that acts the same as the KEY OUT > jack except with a limit of 10 ma. > > The K3 normally transmits RF after the KEY OUT is active by the amount > of time entered into the CONFIG menu TX DLY parameter - that provides a > maximum of 20 ms RF delay. > > For those who need more time that that, there is the TX INH function > that can be configured for pin 7 of the ACC connector - it can be > configured for either TX INH LO=Inh or HI=Inh. This signal will prevent > the K3 from transmitting RF until the inhibit signal goes away. See the > K3 Owner's manual page 19. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > Lance Collister wrote: >> Hi Dave, >> >> You raise an interesting question....maybe that is the elegant >> solution to integrating the K3 into old kluge-like VHF stations with >> lots of coaxial relays, homebrew amplifiers, etc. >> >> PTT output jack on the rear of the K3 could optionally be configured >> as a sequencer itself, so it would close an adjustable amount of time >> (up to a second) BEFORE any RF would be permitted to be generated >> after the rig is put into XMIT by either the microphone/footswicth or >> the serial port PTT lines. >> >> Certainly, this option would not be selected by those who want to work >> QSK! But they would simply not choose the option. If this option >> were stored by band, you could have a built-in sequencer only on >> certain bands, and QSK on other bands! With such an option, you would >> never have to worry about blowing anything up, regardless of how the >> K3 incoming PTT line itself was keyed ;-) >> >> What do you think, Elecraft? VY 73, Lance >> > > -- Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8) P.O. Box 73 Frenchtown, MT 59834 USA QTH: DN27UB TEL: (406) 626-5728 URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj 2m DXCC #11, 6m DXCC #815 _______________________________________________ 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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I don't think you are missing the boat but Eric is likely to miss DX if it really takes as much as a second to switch from TX to RX. By that time someone else will have got there first - excepting EME of course where the delay is less important compared to the transit time of the signal. I had a discussion with Elecraft about this when the feature was being enabled, I did some research on the maximum switching time of large VHF relays and came to a figure of 50mS. Unfortunately Elecraft could not mange such a long delay at the time in that version of the firmware. For long delays of VHF equipment I am not sure the K3 is the right place for a long delay as it is not something configurable by band and should there be a switching fault, the smoke will still emerge, just 1 second later than it would otherwise. If you are using the transverter output you might as well just put a delay relay or PIN diode in the TX line. No relay is going to object to hot switching 1mW. This switch should be controlled by the ready signal from the amplifier, or whatever it is that is taking so long to be ready. To avoid K3 power errors you might need to ensure a good match. A simple alternative would be to switch the bias to the TX stages of the transverter instead. |
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I guess I'm missing the boat on this discussion.
I thought all high power VHF ops used an external sequencer board that did the following type of thing. RX to xmit: 1) Bypass the mast mounted preamp, wait a bit 2) Put the amp in the tx mode, wait a bit 3) Put the xvtr in the tx mode, wait a bit 4) inhibit the RF output from the rig until 1-3 are complete. With a relay based system 1-3 could easily be 60ms or more. Going to receive does a similar thing --i.e. unkeying the various components with delays.. You're not going to get his set of multiple delays from the K3. There are external sequencer boards available as kits for about $20. The K3 has an inhibit line for such use. And yes, the big guns do have difficulty in the bang-bang contest mode. You call them once and occasionally get the comment, I'm not getting your call, my sequencing hasn't completed. 73 de Brian/K3KO D6XY wrote: > >W7GJ, Lance wrote: > > >>Unless I am totally missing the boat here (which certainly happens), it >>seems to >>me that the cleanest way to make the K3 flexible enough to replace >>existing >>equipment requiring external sequencers, would be to be able to adjust the >>time >>between K3 PTT keying and the KEY OUT jack and/or KEYOUT-LP pin (or some >>other >>available pin) closure between standard short delay (20 ms) or a long >>delay (for >>example, selectable between .2, .4, .6, .8 or 1 second). >> >> >> >> > >I don't think you are missing the boat but you are likely to miss DX if it >really takes as much as a second to switch from TX to RX. By that time >someone else will have got there first. > >I had a discussion with Elecraft about this when the feature was being >enabled, I did some research on the maximum switching time of large VHF >relays and came to a figure of 50mS. Unfortunately Elecraft could not mange >such a long delay at the time in that version of the firmware. > >For long delays of VHF equipment I am not sure the K3 is the right place for >a long delay as it is not something configurable by band and should there be >a switching fault, the smoke will still emerge, just 1 second later than it >would otherwise. > >If you are using the transverter output you might as well just put a delay >relay or PIN diode in the TX line. No relay is going to object to hot >switching 1mW. This switch should be controlled by the ready signal from the >amplifier, or whatever it is that is taking so long to be ready. To avoid K3 >power errors you might need to ensure a good match. A simple alternative >would be to switch the bias to the TX stages of the transverter instead. > > > > > _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by WD6DBM
_______________________________________________ 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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This happens when you spot weld the contacts with excessive RF. How did you manage that with only 400W? Other possibilities are you are not giving the pulse of energy from the coil somewhere to go and so the field can not collapse as quickly as you might wish. Then the spring might have worn out, they don't have indefinite life. If they really are magnetised, swap the coil windings round. At least it is not the other way around, 1/2 second to stitch to TX would defeat the sequencing. I agree it can take some time and 20mS is not enough 60mS should be enough, if not it is going to make rapid fire operation difficult, Half a second is a long time in contests. Mike |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by Andy Cook, G4PIQ
When you changed from ac to dc did you add an anti-stiction part to the
magnetic junction? If not, that's why it takes so long to separate.
It' just a copper or brass shim to keep the parts at a slight distance.
David
G3UNA
_______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Lance,
This is the only proper way for serious VHF stations. Use your feedback contact of the final RX/TX coaxial relay (which is most probably mounted in the top of your tower) as a final go for the RF out of the K3 by using the TX-Inhibit Line. 73's Evert PA2KW Cu -----Original Message----- From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 23:31 To: [hidden email] Cc: Elecraft Discussion List Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster? Lance, It has already been thought of and included in the K3 - see below. I am not sure if you are referring to the KEY OUT jack on the back of the K3 or the PTT jack. The PTT jack is an input - one would plug the footswitch into it, or alternately use the PTT on the microphone or the PTT from the RS-232 input. KEY OUT becomes active as soon as the PTT is activated - there is also a KEYOUT-LP signal on the ACC connector that acts the same as the KEY OUT jack except with a limit of 10 ma. The K3 normally transmits RF after the KEY OUT is active by the amount of time entered into the CONFIG menu TX DLY parameter - that provides a maximum of 20 ms RF delay. For those who need more time that that, there is the TX INH function that can be configured for pin 7 of the ACC connector - it can be configured for either TX INH LO=Inh or HI=Inh. This signal will prevent the K3 from transmitting RF until the inhibit signal goes away. See the K3 Owner's manual page 19. 73, Don W3FPR Lance Collister wrote: > Hi Dave, > > You raise an interesting question....maybe that is the elegant solution to > integrating the K3 into old kluge-like VHF stations with lots of coaxial relays, > homebrew amplifiers, etc. > > PTT output jack on the rear of the K3 could optionally be configured as a > sequencer itself, so it would close an adjustable amount of time (up to a second) > BEFORE any RF would be permitted to be generated after the rig is put into XMIT by > either the microphone/footswicth or the serial port PTT lines. > > Certainly, this option would not be selected by those who want to work QSK! But > they would simply not choose the option. If this option were stored by band, you > could have a built-in sequencer only on certain bands, and QSK on other bands! > With such an option, you would never have to worry about blowing anything up, > regardless of how the K3 incoming PTT line itself was keyed ;-) > > What do you think, Elecraft? VY 73, Lance > > _______________________________________________ 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 _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by Andy Cook, G4PIQ
Hi Andy,
Yes, you are right - it is hard to imagine that it would take a whole second to transfer all the relays. I just thought if there were a way to provide more of a delay before enabling the RF output, it might as well go up to a second so you could accommodate mechanical coaxial switches as well as fast relays. For everything I have here, a half a second would probably work fine. Yep, running power on VHF is sure not like running QSK during an HF contest, and you cannot hope to call weak DX in 20 ms! But for EME, most everything is done in one minute sequences, so speed is not usually that big an issue. Still, the beauty about the K3 is that it is so flexible that it has the capability to respond to so many far ranging applications! GL and VY 73, Lance ANDY COOK wrote: > To make this all simpler I normally run the transverter as the LAST > box to be sent to transmit (ensuring that RF switching is disabled!). > So Rig->sequencer->Tx relay->PA bias->transverter. This may hot switch > the transverter, but that's rarely a problem in reality with the low > powers and enables the system to be built with all the normal VOX / > Semi-break in facilities on the radio working normally. > > Now just need to find out why some of the Amphenol N-type relays used > for high power switching have got into a state that can take up to 0.5 > second to release after volts have gone. Maybe they've got magnetised > - they were originally 115V AC relays re-wound for 28V DC, but one has > already bitten the dust from the consequent hot switching where the > sequencer didn't figure on needing to take 1 second to changeover! > > 73, > > Andy, G4PIQ > ----------------------------------- > Brian Alsop wrote : > I guess I'm missing the boat on this discussion. > > I thought all high power VHF ops used an external sequencer board that > did the following type of thing. > RX to xmit: > 1) Bypass the mast mounted preamp, wait a bit > 2) Put the amp in the tx mode, wait a bit > 3) Put the xvtr in the tx mode, wait a bit > 4) inhibit the RF output from the rig until 1-3 are complete. > > With a relay based system 1-3 could easily be 60ms or more. > > Going to receive does a similar thing --i.e. unkeying the various > components with delays.. > > You're not going to get his set of multiple delays from the K3. > > There are external sequencer boards available as kits for about $20. > The K3 has an inhibit line for such use. > > And yes, the big guns do have difficulty in the bang-bang contest > mode. You call them once and occasionally get the comment, I'm not > getting your call, my sequencing hasn't completed. > > 73 de Brian/K3KO > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > > _______________________________________________ > 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 -- Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8) P.O. Box 73 Frenchtown, MT 59834 USA QTH: DN27UB TEL: (406) 626-5728 URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj 2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815 _______________________________________________ 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 |
Re: Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster?
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In reply to this post by Evert Bakker (PA2KW)
Hello Evert,
Yes, I think I may rig up something to use the K3 TX-Inhibit line when I take my K3 on DXpedition to E51 in 2 months. Good idea! TNX and 73, Lance Evert Bakker (PA2KW) wrote: > Lance, > > This is the only proper way for serious VHF stations. Use your feedback > contact of the final RX/TX coaxial relay (which is most probably mounted in > the top of your tower) as a final go for the RF out of the K3 by using the > TX-Inhibit Line. > > 73's Evert PA2KW > > Cu > > -----Original Message----- > From: [hidden email] > [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm > Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 23:31 > To: [hidden email] > Cc: Elecraft Discussion List > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Sequencer keying with K3/XV-144 without rigblaster? > > Lance, > > It has already been thought of and included in the K3 - see below. > > I am not sure if you are referring to the KEY OUT jack on the back of > the K3 or the PTT jack. > The PTT jack is an input - one would plug the footswitch into it, or > alternately use the PTT on the microphone or the PTT from the RS-232 input. > KEY OUT becomes active as soon as the PTT is activated - there is also a > KEYOUT-LP signal on the ACC connector that acts the same as the KEY OUT > jack except with a limit of 10 ma. > > The K3 normally transmits RF after the KEY OUT is active by the amount > of time entered into the CONFIG menu TX DLY parameter - that provides a > maximum of 20 ms RF delay. > > For those who need more time that that, there is the TX INH function > that can be configured for pin 7 of the ACC connector - it can be > configured for either TX INH LO=Inh or HI=Inh. This signal will prevent > the K3 from transmitting RF until the inhibit signal goes away. See the > K3 Owner's manual page 19. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > Lance Collister wrote: > >> Hi Dave, >> >> You raise an interesting question....maybe that is the elegant solution to >> > > >> integrating the K3 into old kluge-like VHF stations with lots of coaxial >> > relays, > >> homebrew amplifiers, etc. >> >> PTT output jack on the rear of the K3 could optionally be configured as a >> sequencer itself, so it would close an adjustable amount of time (up to a >> > second) > >> BEFORE any RF would be permitted to be generated after the rig is put into >> > XMIT by > >> either the microphone/footswicth or the serial port PTT lines. >> >> Certainly, this option would not be selected by those who want to work >> > QSK! But > >> they would simply not choose the option. If this option were stored by >> > band, you > >> could have a built-in sequencer only on certain bands, and QSK on other >> > bands! > >> With such an option, you would never have to worry about blowing anything >> > up, > >> regardless of how the K3 incoming PTT line itself was keyed ;-) >> >> What do you think, Elecraft? VY 73, Lance >> >> >> > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > > -- Lance Collister, W7GJ (ex: WN3GPL, WA3GPL, WA1JXN, WA1JXN/C6A, ZF2OC/ZF8) P.O. Box 73 Frenchtown, MT 59834 USA QTH: DN27UB TEL: (406) 626-5728 URL: http://www.bigskyspaces.com/w7gj 2m DXCC #11/6m DXCC #815 _______________________________________________ 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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