On Jul 16, 2006, at 10:40 PM, Bernard Gaffney wrote:
Does the K2 use Positive or Negative keying voltage
when keying CW via external keyer? Just curious, as
the WinKey Keyer (non-HV USB version) is only capable
of keying positive voltages up to 50VDC, and is not
compatible with XMTR's that use negative keying
voltages.
Solid state rigs are nearly all universally positive-keying, so the
WinKey should work just fine.
Negative keying voltages are present in older tube-type rigs that
used grid-block keying. Typical negative voltages are -100 v or so,
and the current required is usually 1 mA or so. Other type-type rigs
are cathode-keyed, and with positive voltages of several hundred
volts (or more!) and current requirements of tens or hundreds of mA.
(I always thought cathode-keying was dangerously unsafe, since
potentially lethal voltages were present across the key)
So, if tubes aren't involved, the WinKey should work fine with most
any rig.
Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901
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