[Amps] QSK5-PC in a AL1200

[Ed Swiderski, KU4BP]

And Ameritron wants $380 for a new board.

On 1/13/2024 2:55 PM, gudguyham at aol.com wrote:
> FWIW….I’ve removed more of those boards in Ameritron amps than I 
> installed.  It’s not if, but when you have trouble with it.  The 
> diodes are no longer available and they are so expensive!!
>
>
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> <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661>
>
> On Saturday, January 13, 2024, 1:04 PM, Ed Swiderski, KU4BP 
> <ku4bp at triad.rr.com> wrote:
>
>     Hello all,
>
>     As the subject line says, I have an issue with the QSK5-PC board
>     in my
>     AL1200. The QSK5 board has been blowing it's fuse lamps. I think I've
>     replaced them 3 times in the past 12 months.
>
>     I haven't been doing anything abnormal with the board in the years
>     I've
>     had the amp. It was already installed when I purchased it in 2009.
>     Never
>     had any issues with it and I have only used it with SSB. The only
>     time I
>     use CW with it has been to tune it up in a dummy load with a straight
>     key. A couple times during normal use in SSB, the fuse lamps on the
>     board would blow. The latest use had the lamps blow while tweaking my
>     settings on the amp.
>
>     I contacted Ameritron for advice. They told me to "try operating
>     in semi
>     break mode and increase the delay speed and see if that clears it
>     up". I
>     did that but since I'm not operating CW in the first place, it didn't
>     help. Ameritron also said the board may have a bad PIN diode. I
>     haven't
>     removed any of them to check. I think it's possible because the board
>     was installed in 1994(30 years).
>
>     So, I'm asking first if anyone has had a similar issue that can
>     give any
>     advice. Second, I'm toying with either getting a new board or, just
>     undoing the modification altogether. Doing either is not a problem. I
>     would like to keep the mod in place though which is why I'm
>     indecisive
>     right now. Hope to get the amp back in use by the end of this year
>     for
>     when 3Y0/B is planned to come on.
>
>     I hope I have given enough information. When I first had this problem
>     last year, I didn't provide enough information and I think I upset a
>     couple people by not doing so and I apologize for that.
>
>     Will try to respond to replies promptly.
>
>     Thank you,
>     Ed KU4BP
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