Keying Problems

[Jim Stevens]

Here's one to ponder.

I operated CW Sprint at K4HA's, and I had mucho keying
problems.  He has a FT-1000MP & Drake L7 (I think, it's
2 X 3-500Z).  Antennas are a Pro57 at 80 ft & inverted
vees for 40M & 80M hung off the tower. On 20M with
full output of about 1200W, TR would just key a continuous
tone.  On 40M & 80M with full power, TR would work fine.
OK we think, we're getting RF in the shack.  Pull out the
toroids and apply, but we still have the problem.  Reduce
power on the FT-1000MP until the amp is putting out 300W,
and the problem mostly goes away.  Still sounds like RF,
but here's where it got weird.  K4HA says, "I never have
the problems with CT", so we fire up CT on all the same
H/W, and we can run full power to the amp with no keying
problems.  It almost seemed like the TR program itself was
more susceptible to RF than CT, but I've never heard anything
like that.  Anyone got any ideas?

Hey Tree, did you get TR to pass FCC and SISPER (sp?)
standards?? :-)

BTW, I still stink at CW Sprint!

73, Jim Stevens, K4MA (ex KI4HN)

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