[VHFcontesting] Transverter interfacing with FT290RII

[Mark Spencer]

Interesting..

Apparently I'm not the only one working thru these issues.  With my Icom radios I like to intercept the PTT line from the microphone, route the PTT line thru a sequencer, then key the radio, amp, etc via the sequencer.   It seems safer that way but yes sending CW with this scheme is a bit more complicated than using SSB.  I should probably add a foot switch for CW and need to ponder how to tie that into the the PTT scheme.

I also have a FT290 put aside for future use as an IF radio in my rover so this topic is of interest to me.

73
Mark S
VE7AFZ

mark at alignedsolutions.com
604 762 4099

> On Feb 14, 2018, at 7:02 AM, Sean Waite <waisean at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> That might be where being able to flip a switch would come in handy. If I'm
> reading the documentation right, the DEMI transverters prefer you don't use
> full- or semi-break in with CW anyway, so you'd want it to just stay on
> until you're done transmitting. That's a good point though, especially with
> a portable setup.
> 
> Sean WA1TE
> 
>> On Wed, Feb 14, 2018 at 8:33 AM Zack Widup <w9sz.zack at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I have been using mine in a similar manner, but I thought someone might
>> offer a better way to do it.
>> 
>> I don't use the FT290RII as an IF rig too often. But as I have it wired,
>> when working CW I have to hold down the mic button with one hand while
>> sending CW with the other hand. It's a bit unwieldy.
>> 
>> 73, Zack W9SZ
>> 
>> 
>>> On Tue, Feb 13, 2018 at 11:23 PM, Sean Waite <waisean at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Thanks for the responses! I got a few good ideas here. I'm not entirely
>>> certain why it never occurred to me to pull the Push To Talk signal off
>> of
>>> the thing you push...to talk. Way easier than trying to tap the board.
>>> 
>>> I have some reading and building to do. Hopefully I'll be up on 7 bands
>>> (Dare I say...hopefully 8? If I can pull together the scratch for 13cm)
>> by
>>> June.
>>> 
>>> Either way, looking forward to getting this all working smoothly.
>>> 
>>> 73,
>>> Sean WA1TE
>>> 
>>>> On Tue, Feb 13, 2018 at 11:52 AM Michael Kana <aa9il at sbcglobal.net>
>>> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> Hi Sean
>>>> I use an FT290mk2 with a sequencer. I use the 4th relay to close the
>> PTT
>>>> and key line and plug the key and mic into a “control box” where the
>>>> sequencer relay is in line. I have the key and mic cables run to the
>>> radio.
>>>> I flip a switch to sequence and when the fourth relay closes, the key
>> and
>>>> PTT lines are closed so I can then key or transmit.
>>>> When done, flip the switch off, and the key and PTT lines are
>>>> disconnected. I will never Key the radio until the sequencer is
>> switched
>>>> unless I intentionally bypass this scheme and plug into the radio
>> direct.
>>>> 73 Mike
>>>> 
>>>> Warning!  This is transmitted over a non secure medium
>>>> 
>>>>> On Feb 13, 2018, at 10:38 AM, Sean Waite <waisean at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> I've got one of the old FT290RII 2m all modes that I'm using as t