[TenTec] Corsair

[Lee WA3FIY]

Just some thoughts on this.

The Corsair shapes the CW keying envelope at low level.  As long as the transmit path is 
linear (and it normally is) the shape is preserved to the output.  Nice clean transmit signal.  
Reducing the final bias puts the final into a nonlinear mode resulting in distortion of the 
keying envelope and most likely key clicks.

I don't see any value in the suggestion of turning the final on with a toggle switch.  The keying 
circuitry within the Corsair does that automatically with proper timing,  resulting in the final 
drawing bias current only when transmitting.  Key up.....no current in the final as Rick, DJ0IP  
pointed out earlier.

It seems to me the cleanest and very effective way to reduce current would be to turn the 
digital display and pilot lamps off when not needed.  Interrupting the DC supply line to the 
display and lamps should do the trick but I do not know that for sure.  Once the outer ring of 
the tuning dial is calibrated to the digital dial, it is adequate for general tuning around.   I 
suspect this will save more current than reducing the final bias since the current is reduced in 
both transmit and receive modes instead of transmit only.

My thoughts.   :-)

BTW   Anyone looking for a power efficient 100 watt rig, check out the Triton (non digital)   
You  will be amazed how little power that thing uses on receive.  Switch off the panel lights 
and it goes even lower!

73,

-Lee-

WA3FIY





On 21 Sep 2013 at 9:02, Roy wrote:

> "I have a model 560 corsair that I will use for CW only. Can I adjust
> the power amp bias for lower idle current and not cause problems?"
> 
> You bet. I run my amps at around 6 mA for CW. Efficiency is increased
> and things run nice and cool. You can just pull amp up into operate
> with a toggle switch and leave it during a QSO.
> 
> 73,   Roy    K6XK 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>