[TenTec] How to Switch PTT between SSB and CW for Orion?

[Mark Bailey]

Hi again, Eric:

I'm borrowing Frank's station for the CQ 160 CW contest,
and there's going to be an Orion there!  :-)  I'm also helping
John Evans, N3HBX, with his station configuration and
planning for a possible new station.  He has an Orion, but
he hasn't put it into the station yet.  I did NAQP CW there
using two FT1000MP's.

It's John's setup that is causing the question.  Next
weekend, I'm just going to drive Frank's amp in parallel
with the Orion's Amp Key line, using a relay to switch
his -40VDC amp keying line.

By the way, do you have any idea what the units of percent
for EXT T/R Delay actually are?  Percent of a second?!
At least I think I understand what that does.

Also, do you know what CW QSK Delay does?  The units
are also percent.  My best guess is what a "Japanese radio"
would call VOX delay, but the manual isn't clear.  I guess
the two settings are so we can do QSK with a separate
receive antenna even with a non-QSK amplifier?!  Even
the reason for having both settings isn't clear.

73,

Mark, KD4D

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Scace K3NA" <eric at k3na.org>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 3:41 PM
Subject: RE: [TenTec] How to Switch PTT between SSB and CW for Orion?


>    I'm scratching my head over this as well, Mark.  Let me know what you
come up with.
>
>    My station will be 2 Orions and 2 amplifiers.  Eventually I intend to
use the PTT line (and amplifier keyline) signals (OR'ed
> together) as a tool to prevent hot-switching antennas.  But I'm not there
yet.
>
> -- Eric K3NA
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Mark Bailey
> Sent: 2004 January 17 09:40
> To: tentec at contesting.com
> Subject: [TenTec] How to Switch PTT between SSB and CW for Orion?
>
>
> Good morning:
>
> I DO NOT want to re-start a philosophical discussion about PTT on
> Orions.  I DO want to figure out how to configure and wire an
> SO2R station using one (or maybe two) Orions. :-)
>
> According to the reflectors and the manual, the Orion supports
> PTT for SSB operation and does not support PTT for CW
> operation.  Weird, but so be it.
>
> I need PTT on CW and SSB. If anyone still wonders why,
> please contact me off-list and I'll explain it! :-)
>
> For SSB, I'll hook up the computer (or DVK) PTT line, which is
> basically in parallel with the foot switch, to the Orion's PTT
> (probably on the Microphone jack).  This will key the amp
> via the Orion's AMP KEY line and everything should work
> just fine.
>
> For CW, I'll hook up the computer PTT line directly to the
> amplifier, basically in parallel with the Orion's AMP KEY
> line.  The Orion transceiver will operate QSK and
> the amplifier will operate using the PTT.  This should work
> just fine.  My SO2R audio switching means I won't even
> have to listen to the Orion when it is sending a computer
> message, and I don't think I care that the transceiver is
> operating QSK.
>
> I think this will accomplish what I want to do.
>
> However, I now have a station configuration problem.  I
> believe from the documentation that I have to physically
> disconnect the PTT line from the Orion when operating
> CW.  The PTT input changes functions and becomes
> a CW input line, so I can't leave it connected.
>
> It looks like I'm going to have to use something like an
> SPDT switch to go from SSB to CW.  I also don't think
> I want to leave the PTT line attached directly to the
> amplifier in SSB mode, though that may actually be
> harmless.  An SPDT switch would allow me to
> disconnect that line also.
>
> Has anyone figured out a way to do this automatically,
> without requiring a manual switch or moving wires
> around, or does anyone has a better way of configuring
> the PTT?
>
> If you still think I don't need or want PTT operation,
> on SSB or CW, please contact me off-list. I DO
> NOT want to re-start the philosophical discussions. :-)
>
> Thanks in advance for your help!
>
> 73,
>
> Mark, KD4D
>
>
>
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