[AMPS] Drake L4B Improvements or suggestions

[Vic Rosenthal]

Dick Flanagan wrote:
> 
> At 1:37 AM -0800 2/10/98, Rich Measures wrote:
> 
> >>Is this the kind of switching normally provided by something like the
> >>outboard Ameritron QSK-5 or am I confusing it with something else?
> >>
> >I know zero about this product, Dick.   Does it use a high speed vacuum
> >relay or a PIN diode to switch the output?.
> 
> PIN diode.  See http://www.ameritron.com/other/qsk5.html

The info at this address claims that a vacuum relay can 'barely keep up with' modern
QSK transceivers, and a PIN diode system is better for that reason.  I can tell you
that a vacuum relay --when used with a current-limited 150v source-- can keep up with
a TS-850s with the internal keyer set a maximum (probably at least 55 wpm).  I put a
scope on my rig and saw absolutely no difference (except amplitude) in the output
with full QSK when the amplifier is on or off.  Relay life with this system is an
unanswered question, but it cost me about $75 to implement as opposed to the $349
that Ameritron wants.

Vic K2VCO
Fresno CA

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