[TenTec] Any issues with Corsair II --> SB-200 amp?

Fri Dec 17 20:32:46 EST 2004

Thanks Denton.  Thought so but couldn't remember for sure.

I see no reason for a second relay and a second relay will simply add more
delay, causing the arcing to occur more often.

The short answer is, the Corsair II will directly plug and play with the
SB-200.

In an SSB operation this will probably work forever, but in a CW
environment, I think the delay in the changeover from TX to RX needs to be
addressed to avoid relay arcing.

73
Rick

-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]
On Behalf Of denton
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 5:23 PM
To: tentec at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Any issues with Corsair II --> SB-200 amp?

The Corsair II...and I have one..does have a relay to key an amp..
However I would use a second relay between the rig and the amp just to be 
sure...
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "NJ0IP" <Rick at DJ0IP.de>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, December 17, 2004 5:19 PM
Subject: RE: [TenTec] Any issues with Corsair II --> SB-200 amp?

> The SB-200 does indeed have tuned inputs (only for 80/40/20/15/10 meter
> bands) and will work just fine with the Corsair II (from an RF standpoint)
> on these 5 bands.  The SB-200's T/R relay keys with -130v @0.051A., so 
> that
> prohibits keying it with an open collector circuit.  I can't remember if 
> the
> Corsair II also had a relay for keying external amps.  I think it does. 
> If
> it does, then enable it and it will key the -120v just fine.
>
>
>
> I'm sure someone here can tell us if the Corsair II has a keying relay for
> the amp.  It will also be described in the user's manual if its in the 
> rig.
>
>
>
> If the Corsair does not have a relay for keying the external Amp, you can
> obtain a "Soft Key" kit from Rich Measures  (http://www.somis.org/) - I
> think it only costs a couple of dollars.  You have to make a slight
> modification to the SB-200's relay to enable it to key with +130v instead 
> of
> - 130v, but that's very simple to do.  After installing this simple kit, 
> you
> can key the amp with open collector circuitry.
>
>
>
> If you run a lot of CW, one problem you will probably run into over time 
> is
> arcing and possible burning of relay contacts on the SB-200's T/R relay.
> This will happen regardless of whether you are keying with the softkey or
> with the Corsair's relay (assuming it has one).
>
>
>
> The combination switches to TR to transmit fast enough because the Corsair
> adds enough delay to allow for this.  The problem is, you really need to 
> add
> some delay before the Amp's T/R relay switches back to RX.  Otherwise you
> will often incur the state where the relay has begun switching back to RX
> when the TX signal comes again.  It is unable to change directions fast
> enough to settle in the TX position before RF is applied, and it arcs. 
> Not
> bad the first 20 or 50 times it happens, but eventually it burns the relay
> contacts enough that you incur errors.  This is typically a failure of the
> relay to switch the antenna back to the transceiver in RX mode.  Easy to
> recognize because you don't hear anything (or else it is very weak). In 
> this
> case, you have to clean the relay contacts with a burnishing tool.  This 
> is
> easy to do, but requires pulling the cabinet off of the amp.  How often 
> this
> is required will depend on your amount of use of the amp.  I found I was
> cleaning mine every 2 or 3 months.  I finally built my own device to allow
> me to adjust the relay delay and was able to eliminate this problem.  By 
> the
> way, my device also keys the -130v so you don't need the softkey.
>
>
>
> Rich also sells a kit for replacing the open-frame relay with a vacuum
> relay, but that costs a bit more. Once you have installed this mod, you 
> can
> run full QSK with the SB-200 and the Corsair II.
>
>
>
> I also have to ask what you mean by "interface".
>
> There are probably all kinds of boxes available on the market which I am
> unaware of.
>
>
>
> Gud luk and have fun with it.
>
>
>
> 73
>
> Rick
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of Paul - W8KC
> Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 4:47 PM
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Subject: RE: [TenTec] Any issues with Corsair II --> SB-200 amp?
>
>
>
> What do you mean by interface?  Do you mean an antenna tuner?  Because
>
> that's what I *think* you need to use those two together.
>
>
>
> I don't believe the SB-200 has a tuned input which will be trouble for a 
> rig
>
> without a tunable output :-)
>
>
>
> But I could be wrong, I'm a QRP kinda guy.
>
>
>
> 73! =paul= W8KC
>
> Collector of Ten*Tecs and other fine plastics.
>
> Visit the Virtual Ten*Tec Museum at http://mywebpages.comcast.net/w8kc
>
> Listen to 7.040 MHz from anywhere with Media Player v9
>
> http://www.w8kc.com/stream.asx
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>
> From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]
>
> On Behalf Of john.brewer at us.schneider-electric.com
>
> Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 12:55 PM
>
> To: tentec at contesting.com
>
> Subject: [TenTec] Any issues with Corsair II --> SB-200 amp?
>
>
>
> I want to give this a try over Christmas. I do have an interface to place 
> in
>
> line between
>
> amp and rig. Most operation will be CW.
>
>
>
> I've got the manuals for both, just wondering if there were any specific
>
> gotchas
>
> I should be aware of.
>
>
>
> Thank you and Merry Christmas!
>
> John K5MO
>
>
>
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