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Re: [Amps] Input relay for QSK amp

To: MU 4CX250B <4cx250b@miamioh.edu>, Bob Maser <bob.maser@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Input relay for QSK amp
From: Jim <jimw7ry@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2018 22:49:09 -0600
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Its actually very simple Jim.

Don't send RF until the amplifier is ready. Not doing so, makes the relays hot switch. It matters not which one is energized before RF is sent. As long as they both are before RF is sent from the exciter. Same on dekey. RF MUST stop flowing from the exciter BEFORE the relays (either one of them) DE-energize.


Thanks
73
Jim W7RY

On 12/8/2018 11:37 AM, MU 4CX250B wrote:
Bob,
Years ago, I bought a lifetime supply of RJ1As for my own projects,
and have tested roughly two dozen on my homebrew relay tester. The
RJ1As typically close in about 2msec, with the fastest closing I
measured at 1.2msec. Their opening time is typically about 500uSecs.
None of them show any contact bounce. Other vacuum relays, e.g., RF1D,
RJ1. GC1, etc., are more like you remember.

Here's a link to a 2015 QSK article I wrote for QST,
that goes into detail on amp relay timing issues, including the
crucial need to avoid hot-switching. Doing so is more complicated than
merely choosing a slow input relay, or slowing down the input relay
transistor driver with an RC circuit. Many purported "QSK" designs
ignore these other considerations.
73,
Jim w8zr

  from my iPhone

On Dec 7, 2018, at 8:16 PM, Bob Maser <bob.maser@gmail.com> wrote:

I must be old school.  The input relays need to be slower than the output
relay.
Seems to me that a RJ-1 takes 8ms to close and stop bouncing around. I have
always
used a P&B miniature open frame DPDT for that purpose.  The output of the
amp needs
to be closed before the input turns on.
Bob

On Fri, Dec 7, 2018 at 9:39 PM Jim <jimw7ry@gmail.com> wrote:

Those relays that Rich (and I ) used are mostly unavailable. I used to
buy them 100s at a time. No more of them can be had.

Most of what you find on eBay are seconds and most don't work. Or they
are re-labeled counterfeits.


Thanks
73
Jim W7RY

On 12/4/2018 4:03 PM, Alek Petkovic wrote:
G'day Vic.

The Matsushita/Panasonic relay that Rich Measures used in his QSK
circuit, published at somis.org, is still available on Ebay. I bought
10 of them a couple of years ago

Otherwise, Jim, W7RY, uses a small relay in his QSK kit. He laso deals
on Ebay.

73, Alek.
VK6APK

On 4/12/2018 6:21 PM, Victor Rosenthal 4X6GP wrote:
I'm trying to choose a relay to use as the input relay in a QSK amp.
I have been very satisfied with the Jennings RJ1-A as an output
relay. The input relay in this circuit needs to be DPDT, or I'd just
use two similar vacuum relays.

Here are my needs:

1. DPDT.
2. 12 or 24v coil.
3. Operate/release time, including bounce <= 4 ms. Faster is better.
4. Should carry 100w RF in 50 ohm system. Not expected to make/break
live circuit.
5. Must have low resistance for low-level signals (receive path).
6. Must have long life >= (10 x 10**6 operations)
7. Must not be insanely expensive, and available from Mouser or RS.

I found this relay:
<https://www.mouser.co.il/datasheet/2/418/NG_SS_108-98005_L-1019204.pdf
But maybe there's a better choice? I'm overwhelmed by the number and
varieties of relays in the catalog.
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