[UK-CONTEST] QSK?

[Clive Whelan]

Hi Ian


> 1. Do you use QSK routinely? If only sometimes, when would that be?
>


More a question of when I don't use it. i.e I don't use it on the run radio 
in SO2R operation, because the rx is muted ( and the mult radio rx enabled) 
when transmitting.



> 2. Does your transceiver (which type?) handle QSK well? Does the 
> transceiver's QSK affect the character weighting, and at what speed does 
> this start to become a problem?
>



Yes, a prerequisite. Over the years the Ten Tec Triton, TS930S, FT1000MP 
and currently a pair of TS870S. All are perfect QSK machines. Probably the 
TS870 is the best of all, because of its WYHIWYG monitor.





> 3. Do you use QSK through an external PA? If so, does the PA have any 
> additional effect on the character weighting (and at what speed)?
>


Yes, an Alpha 78, exerts no influence, again a prerequisite for an amp. 
Unfortunately the FL21000Z on the mult station is not QSK endowed. 
Conversion would be good.


> 4. How do you connect the PA to your transceiver? Any problems?
>


Yes potentially problematical. The keyer keys the amp, and the aux relay 
contact in the amp keys the transceiver, sounds barmy, but it's kosher. 
This is a fail safe way of avoiding hot switching of the amp's QSK relay, 
although all the above mentioned transceivers are probably fast enough in 
their own right.



> 5. Any facilities you would like your PA to have, to support QSK better?
>


Yes reliable PIN diode switching, which seems to be an oxymoron. Still no 
substitute for a fast relay in such an application. However in theory the 
life of a QSK relay could be used in two  48 hour contests!! They are still 
expensive.



> 6. From the viewpoint of a CW DXer rather than a contester, would any of 
> your answers be different?
>



Yes the DXer needs QSK 100% of the time, he shouldn't get out of bed 
without it imo.


73


Clive



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