[Amps] Relay Burnisher

[jim.thom jim.thom@telus.net]

Date: Mon, 5 Jul 2021 19:22:55 +0000
From: Kevin Adam <n9iww at LIVE.COM>
To: "amps at contesting.com" <amps at contesting.com>
Subject: [Amps] Relay Burnisher



< Burnisher with Black Plastic Insulated Handle, For Fine Contacts, 3"
Length x 3/16" <Width x 0.007" Thickness (3 count)


https://www.amazon.com/Jonard-OB-1-Burnisher-Insulated-Thickness/dp/B006C47JOI/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=file+relay&qid=1625512832&sr=8-4

<N9IWW

## we used hundreds of the exact same  burnishing tool in the telco I
worked at.  This was back in the electromechanical days.  It was the  NA
gold standard for burnishing relay contacts.  Back then, they came in  10
or 20 packs.  It's an ultra fine surface, so it doesn't destroy any
plating.  What worked better for cleaning out  dirty contacts was
...microscrubs...soaked in your favourite cleaning solution. 1-2 passes,
and contacts were like new.

I would be a bit leery using the burnishing tool  on any gold plated
contacts though.  My real fix for these relay issues is to swap to a
gigavc  GH-1 ceramic vac relay for both the input and also the output.
Then an opto isolator for the  cut off bias.   I also use an opto
isolator for the soft key...or use your  favourite  switch transistor.
 3PDT mech relays issues  gone forever.   Then it's  qsk on cw if you want,
and no more tune and or load arcing due to slow mech relays, or mech relays
that are not quite sequenced correctly.  IE:  applying drive to the amp a
split second before the ant is connected on the output side.

Plus you can run a kw through the amp when on bypass mode.  I use that
feature, so I can calibrate the wattmeter in my drake L4B amps.  To do
that, I have to use one amp to feed a kw into the 2nd amp, with 2nd amp in
bypass mode, powered down, on its side, and bottom lid off, so I can get
to the calibration pots.   I also use that feature since I string several
L4Bs  in series...tuned up on diffrerant bands or ssb and cw on the same
band. . A rotary switch in the key line from  Xcvr, ensures only one amp
can ever be in operate mode...simple mech interlock.

Jim   VE7RF