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Dear helpers:? ?Things have been too hectic here fully to respond to your assistance.? Clearly, to save LA-1K's relay when operating CW with the amplifier, one needs to use the QSK-2500.? I have read the associated manuals, reviews, and have drawn a preliminary diagram of what needs to be connected to what.
Questions remain.? ?I will find the time to articulate the questions in a manner calculated to ease the provision of answers.? Questions and answers may help others too.
73,? ?James? ? ?N8TT
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Dear Helpers:
Questions about the possible use of QSK-2500 with Palstar LA-1K and FT1000MP
?
FACTS:
The LA-1K amplifier has three “antenna” ports. The active exporting port is selected using keypad on the front of the amplifier or is automatically selected. My use is: Port #1 goes to a balanced matching device and then to a lower-HF antenna; Port #2 goes to a Bird 1 kW 50 ohm load; and Port #3 goes to a Palstar auto-matching device having three exporting ports.
The LA-1K has only one importing port for RF coming from the transceiver.
The LA-1K uses DIRECT scheme as a so-called band-select-cable is supplied by the transceiver.
Use of CW with an active Port 1or Port 2 is unexpected.
The present layout works well except for the undesirability of using CW with Port 3, because of the excessive use of the amplifier’s relay that would result,.
?
GOALS:
Having full use of the transceiver even if the amplifier is in STBY (standby) and is being used only to select an output port.
Providing the capability of using CW on an active Port 3, when desired, with a minimum of the cycling of the LA-1K’s relay AND without changing the transceiver in any way.
?
QUESTION:
If the goals can be achieved using the QSK-2500 device, what does one connect to the eight ports seen on the QSK-2500 (leaving aside the obvious DC power port)?
Thanks for assistance,? ? James? ? ?N8TT? ?September 12, 2021
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Hi James,
The QSK-2500 supports only one RF output port. The transceiver RF connects to the RF Xcvr jack on the back of the QSK-2500. The "desired antenna" is attached the RF Ant connector on the QSK-2500. During receive, the RF Ant jack switched to the RF Xcvr jack.
The input to the LA-1k connects to the RF Amp In jack.on the QSK-2500. The LA-1K output connects to the Amp Out of the QSK-2500. During transmit, the RF from the transceiver is switched to the Amp In connector and the LA-1K output is switched to the RF Ant connector.
To do what what I think that you would like and support all 3 ports requires going internal to the LA-1K. The QSK-2500 Amp Out and Ant connection must be inserted into the LA-1K RF output path 'prior' to the switch that selects 1 of the 3 RF output ports on the LA-1K. (i.e. The LA-1K RF output goes to the Amp Out & the Ant jack goes to the input of the port selector switch.) I would not recommend this modification in general, unless you really know what you are doing.
Let me know if you have more questions.
73
.... Bill K3HZP
DX Connection
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Dear Bill: Thanks for your response.
Regretfully, I did not make clear that I expected - at most - only to effect CW from/with the amplifier's Port 3 (when it is desired to operate CW using the amplifier).
When using SSB, I need selectively to use the amplifier with one of: Port 1, or Port 2 or Port 3.
Put another way: fully to use the capability of the LA-1K without causing excessive wear on the LA-1K's relay, I wish to be able to use SSB with Port 1, SSB with Port 2, and SSB or Cw when port 3 is selected.
I will make a table of the eight connections to and from a QSK-2500 using the port names seen on pictures of the QSK-2500. . . . Then I will ask about the expected results.
73 James N8TT
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
------ Original Message ------ From: "Bill K3HZP" <hzp_electronics@...> To: [email protected]Sent: 9/12/2021 7:41:57 PM Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP Hi James,
The QSK-2500 supports only one RF output port. The transceiver RF connects to the RF Xcvr jack on the back of the QSK-2500. The "desired antenna" is attached the RF Ant connector on the QSK-2500. During receive, the RF Ant jack switched to the RF Xcvr jack.
The input to the LA-1k connects to the RF Amp In jack.on the QSK-2500. The LA-1K output connects to the Amp Out of the QSK-2500. During transmit, the RF from the transceiver is switched to the Amp In connector and the LA-1K output is switched to the RF Ant connector.
To do what what I think that you would like and support all 3 ports requires going internal to the LA-1K. The QSK-2500 Amp Out and Ant connection must be inserted into the LA-1K RF output path 'prior' to the switch that selects 1 of the 3 RF output ports on the LA-1K. (i.e. The LA-1K RF output goes to the Amp Out & the Ant jack goes to the input of the port selector switch.) I would not recommend this modification in general, unless you really know what you are doing.
Let me know if you have more questions.
73
.... Bill K3HZP
DX Connection
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James,
Thanks for the clarification. I think I understand better now. You want to operate CW on port 1 only with the QSK-2500. You do not require the QSK-2500 on ports 2 and 3. Unfortunately, there is a little problem if you leave the QSK-2500 on the input circuit to the LA-1K. The receive antenna selected on ports 1, 2, and 3 would always be the antenna on port 1. The LA-1K would transmit on ports 1, 2, or 3, but the receive antenna would always be the port 1 antenna because the QSK-2500 would connect this antenna to the transceiver during receive.
The best that I can recommend is to add an antenna selector switch external to the LA-1K. Then everything will work fine and the QSK-2500 will be in the circuit all the time. Just connect the QSK-2500 to port 1 and connect the external antenna switch to the RF Ant jack of the QSK-2500. The QSK-2500 would be used in all modes with as it was designed to be.
Regardless of using or not using the QSK-2500, operating the LA-1K in direct mode will increase the life of your LA-1K T/R relay. The Normal mode "always" results in hot switching the LA-1K T/R relay at the start of each transmission, i.e. CW, SSB, digital, etc., because the LA-1K must detect RF to do the band selection. Afterward, the LA-1K hot switches its T/R relay.
GL & 73
.... Bill K3HZP
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Show quoted text
---------- Original Message ---------- From: "James " <JCM@...> To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2021 01:57:39 +0000 Dear Bill: Thanks for your response. Regretfully, I did not make clear that I expected - at most - only to effect CW from/with the amplifier's Port 3 (when it is desired to operate CW using the amplifier). When using SSB, I need selectively to use the amplifier with one of: Port 1, or Port 2 or Port 3. Put another way: fully to use the capability of the LA-1K without causing excessive wear on the LA-1K's relay, I wish to be able to use SSB with Port 1, SSB with Port 2, and SSB or Cw when port 3 is selected. I will make a table of the eight connections to and from a QSK-2500 using the port names seen on pictures of the QSK-2500. . . . Then I will ask about the expected results. 73 James N8TT ------ Original Message ------ From: "Bill K3HZP" <hzp_electronics@...> To: [email protected]Sent: 9/12/2021 7:41:57 PM Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP Hi James,
The QSK-2500 supports only one RF output port. The transceiver RF connects to the RF Xcvr jack on the back of the QSK-2500. The "desired antenna" is attached the RF Ant connector on the QSK-2500. During receive, the RF Ant jack switched to the RF Xcvr jack.
The input to the LA-1k connects to the RF Amp In jack.on the QSK-2500. The LA-1K output connects to the Amp Out of the QSK-2500. During transmit, the RF from the transceiver is switched to the Amp In connector and the LA-1K output is switched to the RF Ant connector.
To do what what I think that you would like and support all 3 ports requires going internal to the LA-1K. The QSK-2500 Amp Out and Ant connection must be inserted into the LA-1K RF output path 'prior' to the switch that selects 1 of the 3 RF output ports on the LA-1K. (i.e. The LA-1K RF output goes to the Amp Out & the Ant jack goes to the input of the port selector switch.) I would not recommend this modification in general, unless you really know what you are doing.
Let me know if you have more questions.
73
.... Bill K3HZP
DX Connection
____________________________________________________________
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Dear Bill K3HZP and other helpers: I have learned from you. Operating CW using the LA-1K is just not viable.
One hopes that the wonderful people at Palstar will eventually have an enhanced version - forget 50 MHz and have more even filtering of HF using the same filter board AND provide option of full break-in system prior to splitting to the three output ports.
Thanks again, James N8TT
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
------ Original Message ------ From: "Bill K3HZP" <hzp_electronics@...> To: [email protected]Sent: 9/13/2021 10:56:52 AM Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP James,
Thanks for the clarification. I think I understand better now. You want to operate CW on port 1 only with the QSK-2500. You do not require the QSK-2500 on ports 2 and 3. Unfortunately, there is a little problem if you leave the QSK-2500 on the input circuit to the LA-1K. The receive antenna selected on ports 1, 2, and 3 would always be the antenna on port 1. The LA-1K would transmit on ports 1, 2, or 3, but the receive antenna would always be the port 1 antenna because the QSK-2500 would connect this antenna to the transceiver during receive.
The best that I can recommend is to add an antenna selector switch external to the LA-1K. Then everything will work fine and the QSK-2500 will be in the circuit all the time. Just connect the QSK-2500 to port 1 and connect the external antenna switch to the RF Ant jack of the QSK-2500. The QSK-2500 would be used in all modes with as it was designed to be.
Regardless of using or not using the QSK-2500, operating the LA-1K in direct mode will increase the life of your LA-1K T/R relay. The Normal mode "always" results in hot switching the LA-1K T/R relay at the start of each transmission, i.e. CW, SSB, digital, etc., because the LA-1K must detect RF to do the band selection. Afterward, the LA-1K hot switches its T/R relay.
GL & 73
.... Bill K3HZP
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "James " <JCM@...>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2021 01:57:39 +0000
Dear Bill: Thanks for your response.
Regretfully, I did not make clear that I expected - at most - only to
effect CW from/with the amplifier's Port 3 (when it is desired to
operate CW using the amplifier).
When using SSB, I need selectively to use the amplifier with one of:
Port 1, or Port 2 or Port 3.
Put another way: fully to use the capability of the LA-1K without
causing excessive wear on the LA-1K's relay, I wish to be able to use
SSB with Port 1, SSB with Port 2, and SSB or Cw when port 3 is selected.
I will make a table of the eight connections to and from a QSK-2500
using the port names seen on pictures of the QSK-2500. . . . Then I
will ask about the expected results.
73 James N8TT
------ Original Message ------
From: "Bill K3HZP" <hzp_electronics@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: 9/12/2021 7:41:57 PM
Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP
Hi James,
The QSK-2500 supports only one RF output port. The transceiver RF connects to the RF Xcvr jack on the back of the QSK-2500. The "desired antenna" is attached the RF Ant connector on the QSK-2500. During receive, the RF Ant jack switched to the RF Xcvr jack.
The input to the LA-1k connects to the RF Amp In jack.on the QSK-2500. The LA-1K output connects to the Amp Out of the QSK-2500. During transmit, the RF from the transceiver is switched to the Amp In connector and the LA-1K output is switched to the RF Ant connector.
To do what what I think that you would like and support all 3 ports requires going internal to the LA-1K. The QSK-2500 Amp Out and Ant connection must be inserted into the LA-1K RF output path 'prior' to the switch that selects 1 of the 3 RF output ports on the LA-1K. (i.e. The LA-1K RF output goes to the Amp Out & the Ant jack goes to the input of the port selector switch.) I would not recommend this modification in general, unless you really know what you are doing.
Let me know if you have more questions.
73
.... Bill K3HZP
DX Connection
____________________________________________________________
Sponsored by
She Refused to Mask Up, Now State Senator Can't Work
Six Capitol Insurrection Officers Recommended For Discipline
Trapped in Rubble, Woman Finally Heard 'I Got You'
|
James . . .
Just to clarify your statement for others who may not have read
your previous posts:
Operating CW with the LA-1K is completely viable, but not quite
the way you want to operate it.
Furthermore, with the QSK-2500 accessory, the LA-1K becomes a
full break-in amp.
But I do agree with your hopes that Palstar will further refine
the LA-1K.
73,
Kent? K9ZTV
On 11/8/2021 7:55 AM, James wrote:
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Show quoted text
...
Operating CW using the LA-1K is just not viable.
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Hi James,
I must disagree with your statement that "operating CW with the LA-1K is not viable". On the contrary, the LA-1K (in Direct Mode) operates safely and quite conservatively in full QSK mode using the QSK-2500. Many hams are currently proving this by operating CW with this combination..
The only restriction is that only one LA-1K antenna port can be used. If use of multiple antennas is desired, a manual or automatic antenna switch would need to be added at the output of the QSK-2500. I do not see how a simple antenna switch makes CW operation "not viable".
GL & 73
.... Bill K3HZP
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
---------- Original Message ---------- From: "James " <JCM@...> To: [email protected]Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP Date: Mon, 08 Nov 2021 13:55:16 +0000 Dear Bill K3HZP and other helpers: I have learned from you. Operating CW using the LA-1K is just not viable. One hopes that the wonderful people at Palstar will eventually have an enhanced version - forget 50 MHz and have more even filtering of HF using the same filter board AND provide option of full break-in system prior to splitting to the three output ports. Thanks again, James N8TT ------ Original Message ------ From: "Bill K3HZP" <hzp_electronics@...> To: [email protected]Sent: 9/13/2021 10:56:52 AM Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP James,
Thanks for the clarification. I think I understand better now. You want to operate CW on port 1 only with the QSK-2500. You do not require the QSK-2500 on ports 2 and 3. Unfortunately, there is a little problem if you leave the QSK-2500 on the input circuit to the LA-1K. The receive antenna selected on ports 1, 2, and 3 would always be the antenna on port 1. The LA-1K would transmit on ports 1, 2, or 3, but the receive antenna would always be the port 1 antenna because the QSK-2500 would connect this antenna to the transceiver during receive.
The best that I can recommend is to add an antenna selector switch external to the LA-1K. Then everything will work fine and the QSK-2500 will be in the circuit all the time. Just connect the QSK-2500 to port 1 and connect the external antenna switch to the RF Ant jack of the QSK-2500. The QSK-2500 would be used in all modes with as it was designed to be.
Regardless of using or not using the QSK-2500, operating the LA-1K in direct mode will increase the life of your LA-1K T/R relay. The Normal mode "always" results in hot switching the LA-1K T/R relay at the start of each transmission, i.e. CW, SSB, digital, etc., because the LA-1K must detect RF to do the band selection. Afterward, the LA-1K hot switches its T/R relay.
GL & 73
.... Bill K3HZP
---------- Original Message ----------
From: "James " <JCM@...>
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP
Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2021 01:57:39 +0000
Dear Bill: Thanks for your response.
Regretfully, I did not make clear that I expected - at most - only to
effect CW from/with the amplifier's Port 3 (when it is desired to
operate CW using the amplifier).
When using SSB, I need selectively to use the amplifier with one of:
Port 1, or Port 2 or Port 3.
Put another way: fully to use the capability of the LA-1K without
causing excessive wear on the LA-1K's relay, I wish to be able to use
SSB with Port 1, SSB with Port 2, and SSB or Cw when port 3 is selected.
I will make a table of the eight connections to and from a QSK-2500
using the port names seen on pictures of the QSK-2500. . . . Then I
will ask about the expected results.
73 James N8TT
------ Original Message ------
From: "Bill K3HZP" <hzp_electronics@...>
To: [email protected]
Sent: 9/12/2021 7:41:57 PM
Subject: Re: [la1k] LA-1K and QSK-2500 and FT1000MP
Hi James,
The QSK-2500 supports only one RF output port. The transceiver RF connects to the RF Xcvr jack on the back of the QSK-2500. The "desired antenna" is attached the RF Ant connector on the QSK-2500. During receive, the RF Ant jack switched to the RF Xcvr jack.
The input to the LA-1k connects to the RF Amp In jack.on the QSK-2500. The LA-1K output connects to the Amp Out of the QSK-2500. During transmit, the RF from the transceiver is switched to the Amp In connector and the LA-1K output is switched to the RF Ant connector.
To do what what I think that you would like and support all 3 ports requires going internal to the LA-1K. The QSK-2500 Amp Out and Ant connection must be inserted into the LA-1K RF output path 'prior' to the switch that selects 1 of the 3 RF output ports on the LA-1K. (i.e. The LA-1K RF output goes to the Amp Out & the Ant jack goes to the input of the port selector switch.) I would not recommend this modification in general, unless you really know what you are doing.
Let me know if you have more questions.
73
.... Bill K3HZP
DX Connection
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Bill K3HZP