The relay in the Omni VI+, when used to key the amp, does not provide
delay
for RF output thus the amp is likely to switch hot. The TX EN is the
correct way to delay the RF output from the Omni VI+ when using the
internal
keyer.
TX OUT/EN is fine for amps with such a handshake mechanism. But for QSK
amps without this feature, TX OUT is a poor choice for a control line. In
many amps, using TX OUT as the QSK control signal results in severe
hot-switching. More than ten years ago, I used TX OUT to key several Alpha
amps, and it was a total disaster on the air. Unless you sample the amp's
transmitted waveform on a scope, you may never know the amp is hot-switching
and causing key-clicks. For these amps, it's best to sample Ten Tec's "T"
voltage line. This provides ample delay to avoid hot-switching, but not so
much delay as to kill QSK.
One method of using the "T" line on the Omni Six involves physically
disabling the loud external amp relay.* A transistor's open collector is
normally used to key this relay. The open collector trace can be cut from
the relay coil and brought out to the RCA PTT key line, thereby bypassing
the amp relay. Control for the switching transistor is then moved to the
"T" voltage line through the transistor's biasing resistor.
The transistor used by TT has a relatively low Vceo rating, owing to the low
voltage (12VDC) on the relay coil. While I was making these changes, I
replaced mine with a 2N5551 which has a Vceo of +140 VDC. An even better
choice is to use a HV MOSFET type -- or even the Jackson Press "Key-All"
board. Some amps have very high DC (and AC) key lines so one really needs
to know the voltage and current demands placed on the amp key line before
embarking on the modification.
Paul, W9AC
* Although the Omni's menu allows you to disable the amp relay, doing so
will deactivate the key line transistor altogether but it's needed if the
"T" sample is chosen.
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