So my trusty TS140S finally was giving me problems during NAQP - it would
suddenly go "BLAAP!" when keyed - lights (on the rig) going out and no
power. It would come back to life in just a second (sometimes longer...)
but eventually it just stayed dead.
I took it to the shop (being member #13 of the Quarter Century Appliance
Operators I rely on the kindness of others...) and they "fixed" it. I got
it back in about 10 days - the sheet says they "Discovered unit
erratic power on. Repaired pinched wire from P.A. module. Repaired
intermittant on/off switch. Replaced burned out meter lamp." But today
while warming up for the ARRL DX contest I discover it STILL does what it
did. "BLAAP!" and it's dead. I'll be taking it back to the shop...
But that's not why I'm writing...
I have a loaner rig from a friend. An Icom IC-751A. I hooked up the
cable for TR (a parallel cable) that had been working fine (except for the
"BLAAP!" problem) on the TS140. When I hit the F9 key to test whether it
works, all it sends is 6 dits. When I hit the F1 key, it sends a bunch of
random dits.
I switched to a serial cable (untested - I just built it, but I
think it's OK - remember I'm QCAO) and when I turn on the rig, without
hitting any keys, it is sending a never ending series of dahs... When I
hook up the MorseMachine keyer, it also sends a series of dashes without
hitting the paddles...
So. Any suggestions? Does this have something to do with positive and
negative keyed rigs? Should I build a different style cable? Should I
spend the weekend watching basketball on TV?
Any help would be appreciated!
advTHANKSance!
73 Jack, WA0RJY, aka K7ED in contests and when calling VK0IR QRP
*****************************************************************
Jack Fleming, WA0RJY oolon@eskimo.com
ex-K7SS/PTI ex-CN2JF ex-CN0A ex-CT1/WA0RJY ex-HS0/WA0RJY ex-HS0AC
Trustee of Paladin Contest Club Callsign - K7ED
Seattle, WA http://www.eskimo.com/~oolon/ DON'T PANIC!
*****************************************************************
|