No - it'd be an abbreviation.  Punctuation and "prosigns" are sent as one sound pattern.  In books, at least in the ARRL books, such characters are shown with a line over them which I can't duplicate on this forum.  Old timers refer to these as "overscored"; i.e. a "left parenthesis" would be "KN Overscored" and a "right parenthesis" would be "KK Overscored".

Note that "KN overscored" would be the same as TP, or NG, or YE overscored.  They, whoever "they" are, settled on "KN" long ago.  

And, historical note, there didn't usta be different characters for the left and right parentheses.  That came about in the early 60s, I believe.  When I first learned Morse code in the mid-50s, the "KN overscored" served for both.  While you were copying, if you came to a parenthesis, it was automatically a "left"; the next one would be a "right", and you were waiting for it.  Same way with the quotation marks (AF overscored).  Since most typewriters don't differentiate between "open quote" and "close quote", there's no difference in the Morse character.  And since most CW operation was military, requiring legibility, the operators used typewriters.  Typically with blank key caps.  You had to be a very good typist!

Same question comes up from time to time on various CB forums.  You wouldn't believe some of the answers.

Be sure you separate the "N" from the "R" when you send it.  Otherwise, sent as one character, you have "Dah di di dah dit", which is the slash bar "/".

You may need to find somebody with a junk MLA2500 and see if he can give or sell you the switch.  It's an OEM part, and the OEM isn't around any more, AFAIK.

I always suggested that things like G4FON are great for LEARNING the code, but the only way to really build up your speed once you've learned the elements is to actually use it, either on the air or with a CPO and a couple folks at about your own level or a tad higher (for the challenge).  

Learn the basics by rote.  Improve by actually doing.

And as for the "hex alignment tool" - you might try Hogwarts School.  They specialize in hexes and that sort of thing, and might be able to help...;>)

Ask for a Mr. Harry Potter...

Not really a coarse adjustment, but a compromise.  Since 15 and 17 share the same input circuitry, as do 10 and 12, you have to figure the best compromise for your particular situation.  If you adjust it for a "perfect" 1:1 on 17 (or as low as it will go), it will be pretty far off on 15.

As far as "high" SWR, there's nothing at all wrong with 2:1 that a decently designed radio can't handle.

As far as the difference between 600 and 800 watts, it's less than 1.5 dB; not even noticeable.

 

Tom - you're talking about SWR into the amplifier, right?  Not the SWR of the antenna system AFTER the amplifier?

Not sure why all amplifiers with tuned imputs don't include a blurb on how to adjust the input coils in the operating manuals, but...  I asked Ameritron via email.  They didn't say why the manual didn't include it, but they stated the procedure in one sentence.  I'd already figured out my 811H (and my 1200) much earlier.

Allen's procedure is spot on and in agreement with Ameritron.

"Ham Fisted"

What other kind is there?  Welcome back!

73 de Pat K7KBN

If you were in the UK, I believe the call you'd have to use would be something like "G3/your call".  I've operated mobile CW for years (decades, actually), using "/M" without any questions from FCC or anyone.  Earlier than that I operated Maritime Mobile from USS Kitty Hawk, signing "K7KBN/MM" which, at least in the '60s, was the correct format for a Maritime Mobile station's call.

Plug the values into equation #1 on this website and calculate the power gains of different amplifiers for yourself.

http://www.colby.edu/chemistry/CH332/laboratory/dB.pdf

PEH - I think you're forgetting about the filament heat, which doesn't enter into the "efficiency" mix, but which you have to consider with a tube amplifier.

Very often in a CW contest, the "CQ" is dispensed with.  No problems there; no actual REQUIREMENT to use CQ.  "Test" is just the abbreviated form of "contest", and ofen sounds like "NST" because the T and the E are forced together to save time.  Again, no legal problems there.

So my sending "TEST (or NST) K7KBN" in a CW contest would be perfectly legal.  Someone answering in the heat of the contest would call me just using their own call.  No "K7KBN de K7PEH K", just "K7PEH".

Still legal.

I'd reply "K7PEH 5NN xxx", the xxx being a QSO serial number, my state, or whatever the contest rules require.  Then I'd stop sending.  You'd reply "TU 599 xxx".  I'd say "TU TEST K7KBN".

That's about it.  QSO complete, everything legal except for the requirement to identify on the last transmission, which is usually overlooked in contests.

Now, on phone during contests, it's usually "CQ CONTEST FROM K7KBN CONTEST".  "K7PEH". "K7PEH five nine xxx".  "Five nine xxx" "Thank you K7KBN contest".

Ah, but "PEP" is Peak ENVELOPE Power, which is exactly the same as key-down power output in CW. PEP does not require any particularly complex metering circuitry; certainly nothing that requires its own power supply.

"Peak" power, on the other hand, depends on the individual operators' voice characteristics.  A peak-reading meter DOES need circuitry to store and process the RF it samples and produce a conditioned meter reading.

Some mid-range meters, such as the dual-needle meters on some of MFJ's tuners, suggest they are "peak" reading.  However, in the "Peak" position, the meter movement is simply less damped, making it quicker to respond and driving the forward power needle impressively upscale.  Sometimes it's even within 5 or 10 percent of a "true Peak" meter in the same line.

I think PEP would be no problem on the Radio Shack meter.  It's PEAK readings that require the active circuitry and the power supply for it.

Or is this wrong?