[AMPS] Alpha 86 qsk question

[Richard W. Ehrhorn]

Hi Paul...

IF a first-character-clipping problem as you describe below exists with the ALPHA 86 itself, it's something I've never heard of in the ~13 years since ETO/ALPHA introduced that amp. 

The 86-87-89 PIN diode T/R-QSK systems generally are so much faster than that of  popular transceivers' QSK systems that the amps are transparent in terms of keying/timing. 

I've used ALPHA 86, 87A and 89 amps (all having similar PIN T/R-QSK systems) with a variety of common transceivers including particularly TS-940, 950S, & 950SDx, and FT-1000D, and unless I'm mistaken, all first-dit-shortening observed in full CW QSK operation has been easily traceable to the transceivers. 

My experience is that each of these xcvrs' full QSK mode shortens ALL characters enough to make the output CW signal "lighter" than what comes from the keyer output.. not noticeable at 5-15 wpm, but VERY noticeable at 30-50 wpm. Best solution I found was to use an external "LogiKey" keyer, which can be easily programmed (from the paddle) to add any desired number of milliseconds duration to each dit and dah. In some cases it could be that the first dit of a transmission isn't fully compensated by this approach, but I've found it fully satisfactory. Of course it doesn't fix clipping of the first syllable of an SSB/voice transmission due to slow transceiver VOX T/R transition to "T."

OTOH, if anyone on the reflector has demonstrable first-hand knowledge of initial character clipping by any ALPHA QSK amp (especially if it's significant enough to be actually noticeable and bothersome in normal operation) we'd definitely like to know the specifics.

73,     Dick  W0ID


-----Original Message-----
From:	Paul Erickson [SMTP:paule@sfu.ca]
Sent:	Thursday, December 02, 1999 9:20 AM
To:	Amps reflector
Subject:	[AMPS] Alpha 86 qsk question


In preparation for the IARU next year, the station I will be using
has an Alpha 86. I had heard that there may be an issue with this
amp in qsk mode regarding clipping the first character. Anyone
familiar with this amp know if it is true, and if so, what is the
most elegant way of dealing with it?

cheers, Paul - VE7CQK - email: paule@sfu.ca

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