User manual RAMSEY CW7

[. . . ] · · · · · · · · · Works great on any transmitter Built-in sidetone oscillator with pitch control Front panel volume and speed controls Clear, concise assembly instructions carefully guide you to a finished kit that works the FIRST time!Informative manual answers questions on theory, hook-ups and uses - enhances resale value too!Ideal companion to Ramsey QRP Transmitters Manual includes ideas on making your own keyer paddle!Runs on standard 9 volt battery Add our case and knob set for a finished `Pro' look. [. . . ] You can use and change the possible functions of the audio output, J3 and the SPDT section CW7 · 15 of the power switch without affecting the basic terms of the Ramsey Kit Warranty or the market value of your CW7. Auxiliary Jack (J3) This jack does nothing unless you MAKE it do something!Here are some of the typical ham shack functions to which it may be applied: Wired in parallel with J1 for: · connection to 2nd transmitter or transceiver · input of auxiliary CW straight key · input of computer CW keying interface Wired to speaker output connections for: · external speaker · connection to external audio amplifier input Wired to S1 for: · controlling another DC low-voltage hamshack accessory in either on or off mode for the keyer itself. There is no need to do anything with J3 until you decide how it will help you the most. Sidetone Audio Output (2 holes near Q3) The sidetone may be fed to a small speaker within the CW7 enclosure, to auxiliary jack J3, through other wiring, or can be simply ignored or not used. That's right: use it IF you need it, and don't use it if your transceiver already generates a preferable sidetone. The CW7 sidetone is a convenience option designed to help beginners enjoy this unit as an upgraded "code practice oscillator" and to provide sidetone monitoring for Ramsey QRP transmitters. If you don't need it with your transceiver, don't use it - and you will not hurt our feelings!Extra SPDT pole on POWER ON-OFF SWITCH For this switch, a couple of extra PC-board solder pads are provided for the power-on ("in") position. In addition, the solder connections on the top side of this switch are all accessible and usable. If you want to turn some other station accessory on or off when you switch on your CW7 keyer, this switching convenience is available to you. One practical function is for its second pole to key your transmitter for tune-up when the keyer power is in the off position. CW7 · 16 "MESSAGE MEMORY" FOR YOUR CW7 KEYER While there are obviously no built-in memory functions in the CW7, today's hams do well to recall that "memory keyers" were designed out of necessity by late 1970's contest enthusiasts, preceding inexpensive personal computers by several years. There are hundreds of programs, for every operating system, every programming language and every imaginable computer, which let you send pre-programmed CW texts of ANY length with one keystroke. So, today, you can wire the keying outputs of your CW7 for enjoyable hands-on CW sending, and leaving automated CW texts up to a computer. TRANSMITTER CONNECTIONS Transistor Q1 is the high-speed electronic switch which permits the CW7's circuitry to control an outside device- your transmitter or transceiver. As such, it is the interface between CW7 logic circuitry and your real-world application. The CW7 easily and safely controls the low-level DC CW keying inputs of a wide variety of contemporary amateur radio transceivers as well as most kit and homebuilt QRP CW transmitters. HOWEVER, it is up to you to know and understand the CW keying requirements of your own transmitter or transceiver. Many perfectly-serviceable transmitters from the 1950' through the 1970's present grid or cathode voltages on the keying line from 60 to 150 volts DC. If you have any doubt about or are experiencing problems in keying a ham transmitter or transceiver with the CW7 keyer, the easiest, cheapest and quickest solution is to set up your CW7 to key a small SPST relay, either 5VDC or 12VDC easily available from the selection at Radio Shack stores. Of course, you can consider the use of higher-power switching transistors, but that must remain part of the exploration and fun of ham radio, not an essential detail of this instruction manual. The best "rule" in connecting solid-state keyers to ham gear is "Know both your transmitter and your keyer, or wire in a modern, efficient relay!" If you damage Q1 with a questionable hookup, it is easy and inexpensive to replace. [. . . ] If you need help, please read through your manual carefully, all information required to properly build and test your kit is contained within the pages!DEFECTIVE PARTS: It's always easy to blame a part for a problem in your kit, Before you conclude that a part may be bad, thoroughly check your work. Today's semiconductors and passive components have reached incredibly high reliability levels, and it's sad to say that our human construction skills have not!All our kit parts carry the Ramsey Electronics Warranty that they are free from defects for a full ninety (90) days from the date of purchase. [. . . ]