[VHFcontesting] Transverter interfacing with FT290RII

[Terry - W8ZN]

I've preached that for years!!! Running high power makes it almost a 
must!!

The only exception is when using a logging program like N1MM where you 
can program a delay or when you type in your CQ message or reply 
messages, leave a few spaces in the beginning to delay the output until 
the relays catch up!!

I think Marshall, K5QE has done some presentations on this but you 
really need to have a breakout box that your mic and key/paddles plug in 
to before connecting to the radio that interrupts the connections until 
you are ready to transmit. Some radios can't disable semi-breakin which 
is the kiss - o - death for remote LNA's!!!

Terry Price, W8ZN
Directive Systems and Engineering

On 2018-02-14 11:34 am, Keith Morehouse wrote:
> ...using a foot switch to key everything, either with or without a
> sequencer, is the way to go IMO, although it can 'get lost' in a Rover
> environment.  I prefer foot switching everything, whether I be on SSB 
> or
> CW.  Leaves the hands free for other things and can prevent unhappiness
> from relays sequencing when they shouldn't.
> 
> Mash the pedal, then talk or send CW.  Gives everything a chance to 
> cycle
> to where it's supposed to be.  Having a quick reaction sequencer that 
> keys
> the radio last pretty much guarantees RF only when you want it.
> 
> -W9RM
> 
> 
> Keith J Morehouse
> Managing Partner
> Calmesa Partners G.P.
> Olathe, CO
> 
> On Wed, Feb 14, 2018 at 9:08 AM, Mark Spencer 
> <mark at alignedsolutions.com>
> wrote:
> 
>> 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
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