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| Reviews Summary for Array Solutions QSK-Master |
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Reviews: 9
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Average rating: 4.7/5
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MSRP: $375
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Description: The Array Solutions QSK-MASTER is a 160-6 meter 2500 watt external QSK switch. Internal strapping options include amplifier polarity keying sense, 120/240VAC powering, and turn-off time delay to ensure that the QSK-MASTER is compatible with any transceiver/amplifier combination. And the QSK-MASTER’s low current keying interface means that it can be directly keyed by your transceiver without requiring a separate external transceiver/amplifier interface. For maximum reliability the QSK-MASTER is relay-based, using a high-speed signal relay for transceiver and bias switching, and a Jennings high current/high speed vacuum relay for amplifier output switching. This means that the QSK MASTER is essentially lossless, so no optional fan is needed for high duty-cycle operation.
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More info: http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/qskmaster.htm#top%20of%20page
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write your own review of the Array Solutions QSK-Master.
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WD6DBM
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Rating: 2/5
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Oct 26, 2009 17:00
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No More Vacuum Relay and LOUD LOUD LOUD
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I bought this a month or so ago, based on the reputation of the Jennings Vacuum relay that is at the heart of it. However, when I received mine I discovered there is no longer a vacuum relay but a PC board relay in its place. The clacking sound this relay makes is extremely loud. Even with headphones I have to turn the sidetone level up on my K3 to twice the numeric value (whatever that is). The sound is extremely fatiguing and ruins the joy of QSK.
Another gripe is the goofy design that requires you to short the PTT relay on your amp so that it is drawing bias current all the time it is on and not in standby. Why didn't they install another relay, like Ameritron did, that pulls in the amp PTT when needed and then drops it out after a while? Unless your amp has low bias current (like my AL1200 in CW mode), it will be generating lots more heat, and wasting power. Array Solutions does provide a jack where you can mod your amp and it will switch the bias on and off with the QSK. But this just seems inelegant to me if you don't do the mod.
I have gone back to an Ameritron QSK-5 that--although it is not perfect--is quiet.
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NA8CW
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 17, 2009 00:11
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Quality Built-Excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased the QSK Master a month ago ,I use it
with my AL82 and AL80A amps,switching between them on my rigs,QSK Master was easy to hook up and works great, it only takes 1 or 2 dits for me to hear the QNI when operating a cw net.I will purchase a 2nd QSK Master soon,Its built like a Tank !customer service is excellent,most
highly recomended.Thanks Arry Solutions.
Paul
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MI0BPB
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 18, 2009 11:38
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Great product and service
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Installed along with a Tentec Omni 7 and an AL1200. Initially decided to connect up without the bias mode and this proved very successful. However decided to carry out the bias mod on the amp and having never worked at an amp before decided to ask a few questions of Array Solutions. These questions were answered very promptly (on a Saturday!) and I felt happy enough about finding the wire to cut. In the case of the case of my AL1200 it was a blue wire leading from the open relay to two zener diodes mounted on the centre divide. I then added a stereo socket to the rear of the amp, stuck a label on and fed it to the QSK master.
The unit works very well and I have no issues. Thanks again to Jay and Phil.
73 Andrew
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W3AEG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 15, 2009 12:37
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Impressed with its performance on CW and SSB.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Installed the QSK-MASTER with an ICOM 746Pro and an Ameritron 800H. Initially keyed the QSK MASTER with the transceiver's mechanical relay. As recommended by ArraySolutions recently connected to the transceiver's solid-state transmit enable output on an Accessory Socket (pin3) thus abandoning the relay. For my needs either hookup provides outstanding switching performance on CW and SSB! Don't believe there's an alternate RF switcher on the market with the fast switching and reliable power handling capabilities of the QSK MASTER.
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K1TM
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 7, 2009 10:50
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Great Product
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The QSK Master works as advertised. Jay and the folks at Array Solutions, were kind enough to sell me the board and relay less the box. I did not have the space for the box and I do not switch amps very often (my old Clipperton-L has been in the family 30 years, we purchased her new from Denny in the 70's). I have updated and stabilized it and can't see a need for switching to something else. The relay circuit had been altered several times over the years, but lacked QSK and an improved bias circuit was needed as well. The lul in the Sunspot cycle has had me reaching for the standby switch and throwing it into operate, and as a result I keep blasting the old relays in Full Breakin mode. It was time to finish the retro fit.
The QSK Master board fits easily into the HV compartment, when using modern capacitors for the power supply filtering, and the board sits on stand offs attached to the top cover and hangs internally upside down. RG-174/u makes the connections from the input relay to the input connector, vacuum relay NC connection, and cathode circuit. The vacuum relay mounts where the old Dentron relay attaches to the rear panel. Bias is switched using the extra contacts provided on the QSK Master board to my own circuit. I added an additional relay to re-use the standby switch as a disable for the key line.
I went with a relay based system as I commonly run into a 3:1 SWR and rely on the amplifiers matching network rather than a tuner to couple to the antenna. PIN diodes will eventually die from this type of abuse.
Selling me the board, saved me a ton of time and got me out of further parts chasing and etching a board. Thanks guys!
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K4HUD
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 15, 2009 17:40
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Makes operating a pleasure
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Time owned: months
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Best thing since sliced bread. Makes operating cw a pleasure. I have an old LK500ZA amp circa 1983. I added the qsk-master and modification kit from AG6K and turned a $500 dollar amp into a $3,000 amp. I e-mailed them with a question about a plug and they stand behind their product. You get what you pay for.
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W5KU
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 30, 2008 17:50
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Best QSK box I have ever seen or used.
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Easy to hook up. Easy to control the bias. Great QSK controller. I am now using the QSK Master on Henry 3KA, BTI, and an original Alpha 76. All modified to allow easy bias keying by QSK Master to keep the tubes cool. No moving parts in the amps anymore.
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K4ZNC
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 17, 2008 20:02
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First impression - GREAT
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The QSK Master is one of the best additions to my equipment in many years. I have an AL80B amp and have longed for QSK. I tried another well known unit that I just could not get to work with this amp. The QSK Master has solved that problem. A well built unit that worked the first time I powered it up. Customer service is excellent as I had some questions! Will provide an update after more use.
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KK3AN
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 13, 2008 07:38
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Fantastic!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Simply put - if you own a non-QSK amp like I do, the QSK Master from Array Solutions will bring your amp to life and make running QRO cw much more enjoyable. I received my QSK Master on the beginning day of the PA QSO Party - and in the time it took to build two coax jumpers and a shorted amp keyline plug, I had the unit in 100% operation. The QSK Master worked flawlessly throughout it's first weekend contest straight out of the box. The QSK Master even comes with it's own power cord wired to the unit - no wall wart to deal with! The QSK Master is a keeper - with solid metal construction & a 'no frills' way to put QSK into any amp.
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