OK,, so I implemented the changes, changing the 20msec delay to 5msec, and the 10 msec delay to 5 msec
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Again, I don't have a working power amplifier stage right now, so can't test fully.? ?However
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a)? it seems to work fine in testing on 80 meter CW , watching the first "dit" it seems only slightly shortened at 25 wpm as expected.? ?
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b)? I set up the ancient SB-102 on the same frequency and it can just barely hear the DRIVER stages of the sBitx
Listening to the signal there, when I send "i" to start off a transmission.? ? (2 dots)?
The first dot is only a tiny bit shorter than the second -- they would be easily recognized as an "i" by human listeners.
This was done with external keyers, sending their output as "straight key" to the input.? ?Both keyers that I'm able to test here, continued to sound perfectly normal.? ?
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I still don't have real power, so I can't tell what would happen in the way of "clicks and thumps" but I found that with about 200 mSec of delay, I had fairly nice "breakin" conditions at about 25 wpm, able to hear between letters (which is about all I would want).? ?It has been YEARS since I had full break-in (heathkit hw -16) so I don't really remember operating with it.? ?Normally these days I just settle for semi-breakin (of course when using a linear that has no QSK, only a relay)? ??
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So this is MORE than the improvements I was going to try to accomplish during this vacation trip back to North Carolina -- mostly thanks to Mike!? ?Huge improvement so far.? ?When a new MOSFET arrives, I can try it with more power.? ? Guess I might have to replace both to try and keep similar bias currents, if I can't do that with the primitive tools I have here, just take the radio back home and repair.? ?I have a 2nd radio waiting for me back there to upgrade, anyway.
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Once again, I have submitted to the West Central Florida TECHCON (2025) conference a talk on the progress of the sBitx/now zBitx as well.
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73
Gordon KX4Z
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