[TenTec] QSK or not?

[Brian Carling]

Yes, but I think a lot of radio amateurs using good QSK Rigs like the Tentec have managed to convert their amplifiers for QSK operation by adding a circuitboard like the QSK 1500 or the QSK5.

I realize that is more than just a simple homebrewer undertaking.

Best regards - Bry Carling



> On Mar 20, 2014, at 11:51 AM, "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick at DJ0IP.de> wrote:
> 
> It's not quite that simple, at least not always.
> 
> "IF" your amplifier has a very fast T/R relay, such as a vacuum relay, then
> you are correct; a few simple switching transistors and a tiny relay will do
> the trick.  But that only works when the main T/R relay is fast enough to
> follow CW keying.
> 
> If instead you have an amplifier whose T/R relay needs 20 mS to switch, AND
> you connect the hand-shaking just as the Ten-Tec keying loop normally works,
> the CW is not going to be very smooth.  Timing will get screwed up.  The
> open-frame relays are just too slow to do that.  The only way to make them
> work is to have hang delay such that they don't need to follow the keying.
> The Ten-Tec hand-shaking does not do this.
> 
> And then if you have to work with hang delay, you don't need the complexity
> of the hand-shaking.  You just need sufficient pre-dit delay and adjustable
> hang delay - but you sacrifice true QSK.  
> TRUE QSK?  
> You never had it in the first place because you did not buy a QSK amplifier!
> 
> No matter what you feed a mule or how you treat it, it will never be a race
> horse!
> 
> (On the other hand, not everybody needs or wants a race horse and mules are
> wonderful animals!)
> 
> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
> 
> -------------------------
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of
> bcarling at cfl.rr.com
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] QSK or not?
> 
> I have to wonder why some guys will spend $500 for an external accessory to
> do QSK with their linear amplifier.  The system in my TT 422 is so simple. A
> couple of simple boards and a relay.
> 
> 
> 
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