[TenTec] Orion with AL-1200 -- QSK

[WA3FIY]

The Ameritron  PIN-5 TR switch that I use draws less than 2 mA 
current and has open circuit voltage of around 12 volts.   No problem 
for the Ten Tec switching transistor which is rated may times that 
amount in all the rigs I referenced earlier.  I seriously doubt the 
ORION would be any less capable but one should check the manual 
to make sure for sure!   :-)

BTW, the PIN-5 switch has a feed back circuit to complete the 
keying loop if desired but I have never found a need for it.  It is 
labelled Q7 on my schematic diagram and is an open collector NPN 
2N3904.  Also, the steering diode mentioned in the Alpha note is 
already in place on the Ameritron PIN-5 PC board as D8.   The only 
gotcha here is that my unit is over 10 years old and perhaps they 
have made some changes since then.  So..........it would be good to 
look at the Ameritron manual just to make sure it is as I describe.

73 de Lee, WA3FIY

On 28 Mar 2003 at 16:43, Terry Gaiser wrote:

> Wrong !!! Al-1200 has too much keying current to use that method .... Its
> states there that that hookup is for Alpha 87A  & 89 amps only.
> Terry W6RU
>