Vacuum Relays and 30 WPM QSK

[n0tt1]

On Sun,2/26/2017 3:04 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV wrote:
> But even though the K3 is cycling TX/RX very fast the 8410 is not
banging
> the vacuum relay to death trying to follow 30 wpm dits. 30 wpm
QSK*does*
> significantly shorten relay time to failure. Contesting, I've worn some
out
> in less than a year.
 
>I own three very nice vintage Ten Tec amps that use vacuum relays. All
of them came to me used, and I've replaced those relays in each amp at
least once. After a few rounds of that, I stopped running QSK with those
amps. :) I'd like to hear from others having experience with vacuum
relays and QSK at contesting speeds. I mostly work between 28 and 32
WPM. The original equipment relays were Jennings, and I've mostly used
Gigavac as replacements. I haven't had to replace one since giving up on
QSK about 8 years ago, but I really would like to run QSK. Have I made
the right decision to avoid it when running with a vacuum relay?
 
73, Jim K9YC
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Gents,

The "secrete" to running QSK with an amplifier is proper sequencing
of whatever keying is used...relays or PINs.

I still have, and use, my old Alpha 86 which uses PIN diodes, but
it is set up to be keyed *first*.  When the Alpha is ready to transmit,
*then* the keying signal is passed on to my K3 or whatever radio
I have connected to it.  If I just key a radio first, without the
amplifier being set up, the amp will "trip out" and announce
that it had a "T-R" fault.  

Keying a radio ("exciter"), then keying a amp, will cause
hot-switching unless there is a built-in delay of RF from the radio.

73,
Charlie, N0TT

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[Jim Brown-10]

Of course. beginning with the K2, all Elecraft rigs have a delay built
in -- that is, TX begins 8 msec or more after the amp control line is
keyed. On the K3 and later relays, the delay is adjustable. 8 msec is
enough for most amps with GOOD relays (vacuum relays), but not enough
for slower relays. Every rig I've used since getting back on the air in
2003 had that delay built in. Those rigs included TS850, Omni V, and
FT1000MP.

73, Jim K9YC

On Tue,2/28/2017 8:35 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> The "secrete" to running QSK with an amplifier is proper sequencing
> of whatever keying is used...relays or PINs.


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[Bob Nielsen-4]

I forgot to send to the list.


On 3/2/17 12:01 AM, Bob Nielsen wrote:

> The DX Connection QSK-2500 switch has provision for adjusting the
> various delays and can handle a wide range of transceivers and
> amplifiers.  When correctly configured, it will not hot switch when
> keyed, protecting the life of the relays.  It was reviewed in the
> September 2016 issue of QST.
>
> 73, Bob N7XY
>
>
> On 2/28/17 10:29 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
>> Of course. beginning with the K2, all Elecraft rigs have a delay
>> built in -- that is, TX begins 8 msec or more after the amp control
>> line is keyed. On the K3 and later relays, the delay is adjustable. 8
>> msec is enough for most amps with GOOD relays (vacuum relays), but
>> not enough for slower relays. Every rig I've used since getting back
>> on the air in 2003 had that delay built in. Those rigs included
>> TS850, Omni V, and FT1000MP.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>>
>> On Tue,2/28/2017 8:35 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
>>> The "secrete" to running QSK with an amplifier is proper sequencing
>>> of whatever keying is used...relays or PINs.
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>

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