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[AMPS] Alpha 86 PIN Modification?

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Subject: [AMPS] Alpha 86 PIN Modification?
From: kc5vdj@yahoo.com (Jim Bryant)
Date: Wed, 02 Jan 2002 01:12:27 -0600
2 wrote:

> diodes are the only game in town -- however, PIN diodes are undoubtedly 
> more delicate and less forgiving than vacuum relays.  For example, a RJ1A 
> will typically arc over at about 5x more voltage than a PIN diode.  When 
> a PIN diode arcs, it's history/bye-bye/adios.  When a vacuum relay arcs, 
> seldom fatal.  

Would it be possible to use PIN diodes as an INITIAL switching device, used 
only for the duration it takes for a relay to close, 
then released from the circuit as the relay closes?

I would think this would still provide the greatest speed, while at the same 
time reducing the chances of blowing the PIN diodes due 
to the very narrow time slice in which they are active.  While the chance is 
still present for the diodes to short, the odds of them 
not blowing are much better.  I would think that this approach might even prove 
useful enough to allow the use of slower relays.

This could be used in conjunction with some form of PIN "hang-time" timer, for 
those who enjoy abusing relays with full break-in 
QSK, at an albeit higher risk of PIN blowout.  This would keep the relay from 
closing prior to the hangtime timeout, thus preventing 
a premature death for the relay due to constantly opening and closing.

I know this one guy, just bought an amplifier before a CW contest, I will swear 
that he went through 10% of his amplifier relay's 
mechanical life in that one contest, I lay odds his transceiver's T/R relay 
dies before too long...  Full break-in.

Of course, if you use this idea, please credit KC5VDJ [yours truely]...

jim
-- 
          ET has one helluva sense of humor!
     He's always anal-probing right-wing schizos!
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