reset utton or the paddle. "Repeat" has no effect
when recording.
COMBINE C/D SWITCH: Set this switch to "com-
ine". Tap the "C" utton. The "C" message will play
out, including any space, followed y the "D" mes-
sage. If repeat is also set, the sequence will e
"CDCD" etc. This switch operates in record also, al-
lowing one continuous message (approx. 50 charac-
ters) to e recorded.
EDITING: If you make a mistake while recording, tap
the same message utton again and resend the
message. Or, if you make a mistake near the end,
you can save the earlier part y selecting "play" and
starting memory readout. Just efore reaching the
mistake, flip the switch to "record" and complete
sending the message.
RESET: Tapping the reset utton stops any recording
or playing on progress. Tapping or sending with the
paddle while playing also resets the memory and in-
stantly returns the keyer to paddle control. Sending
with the paddle is very useful to add to the end of a
message or to terminate a recorded message early
& fill in the
4. CONN CTION TO TRANSMITT R
Your MK-1 will directly key all popular ham gear,
made since 1963, with the exception of some Ten-
Tec gear, and, early models at least, of the FT-301D.
(See Section 9: "Late note" for 301 and Ten-Tec).
Please do not write and ask if the MK-1 will key
your rig. There is no danger of destroying anything
except with old, high power, cathode keyed rigs,
which may possi ly need a relay. Determine this
yourself. Keyer output transistor ratings are: ±300
volts maximum, including any spikes, -15 ma maxi-
mum for negative (grid- lock) key lines. +200 ma
maximum for positive (cathode-keyed) key lines.
These are voltages measured at the KEY. (Note:
Plate current and voltage is typically much higher
than values at the key. This should cause no con-
cern). If in dou t a out an older, or unusual rig,
measure the voltage across the key line; then con-
nect a milliameter across the key line and measure
the key current.
Both voltage and current should e within the
range a ove. Also, one side of the key line must e
grounded to the chassis. If these conditions are not
met, you will have to o tain a relay. Connect one
end of the relay to the MK-1 keyed output, and the
other end to a power source equal to the relay volt-
age rating, e.g. 12V or 6V. A reed relay is recom-
mended for high speeds. AGAIN IT IS STRESSED
THAT OVER 99% OF RIGS IN USE DO NOT REQUIRE A
RELAY, and can utilize the enefit of silent operation
of the MK-1 output transistors.
CONNECTION: Connect the grounded end of the
MK-1 phono jack on the rear panel to the grounded
end of your transmitter key line, and the inside lead
of the phono jack to the "hot" key line. If you re-
verse this connection, the MK-1 chassis will e
"hot", and this may lead to RF pickup, and intermit-
tent operation.
5. BATT RY OP RATION
The rear-panel miniature phone jack accepts +9 to
+14 VDC as from attery. No power is drawn from
the attery (13 V or less) unless AC power is inter-
rupted, or the MK-1 is Turned "off". When AC
power is interrupted, the MK-1 instantly transfers
to any attery connected to the rear panel. Current
drain is typically 40 to 60 ma. at 9 volts, or 75–95
ma. at 12 volts. (Low monitor volume.)
A 9 V common "transistor radio" attery is not re-
commended for continuous attery operation,
since this type of attery will run down severely in a
few hours. However, this type of attery is sufficient
to prevent loss of recorded messages caused y oc-
casional AC power dropouts; e.g. as might occur in
Field Day or other porta le AC operation. For CON-
TINUOUS attery operation, a larger, 12 volts,
power pack, such as eight 1.5 V "C" atteries in ser-
ies, is recommended.
Where 220 VAC is the only power source, o tain an
inexpensive 9–12 V attery eliminator locally. This is
the easiest way to power the MK-1 from 220 VAC.
6. M MORY PROGRAMMING TIPS
Some of the many ways to use the memory are:
REPEATED CONTINUOUS CQ: Program one memory
to send "CQ CQ ... DE (your call - once or twice)".
With proper choice of num er of CQ's, and "fine-
adjustment" with length of spaces, you can make
the CQ completely fill the memory, with no exces-
sive space at the end. Play out using the repeat
switch to send the CQ as long as desired. End the
CQ y sending "K" with the paddle.
CQ WITH AUTOMATIC PAUSE: Similar to a ove, ex-
cept add "K" at the end of the recorded message,
and leave a several-second listening space at the
end. During this pause in the recorded message,
