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Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few question that seem to pop up often and their answers. If
you have a question, feel free to email me at
bruce@k7dyy.com . I will answer your
question as soon as possible. Thanks
Q. I see that you can choose 6 frequencies from the front panel. Does
it have an input for a VFO?
A. No it doesn't. Most AM'ers operate on
two or three different frequencies. The Senior provides selections for up to
6, which should do in most cases. The frequency control elements are
inexpensive, approximately $5 each and are readily available on your choice
of frequency in about a week. By comparison, crystals take about 3 weeks to
order and cost $17 and up! These modules will provide the accuracy and
reliability that you expect from the Senior transmitter.
Q. The Senior is neat but I still want to buy a Junior. How do I order
one?
A. Sorry. The Junior is no longer being made.
Q. What about the SWR protection.
A. Well it's pretty easy. If your
antenna presents more than a 1.8:1 SWR, the Senior provides fold back
protection that will reduce power and protect itself from damage. The Senior
protects itself from most of the "oopses" that occur in a ham shack.
 Q. How do I adjust my percentage of modulation? I don't see a control for
that.
A. Modulation is controlled by the amount of audio that you feed a
Senior. If you install the K7DYY audio processor board in the base of your
D-104, the output control on the base of the microphone provides a
convenient way to adjust your audio level. If you use outboard audio
equipment, an output control is usually provided. Also, a peak limiter is
designed into the Senior to keep you from exceeding 100% modulation.
Q. How soon will you ship my order?
A. Those orders placed before the end
of next week (10-09-2007) will be shipped by Christmas.
Q. Can I use my audio equipment that I normally use?
A. If you are
referring to normal audio processing equipment and regular dynamic or
condenser or ribbon microphones, the answer is probably yes. As long as your
equipment meets the Senior's input requirements and most equipment does. The
Senior requires line level (-10dbm) unbalanced audio. Most of the time you
would want to isolate the balanced output of your equipment with a
transformer but that's just good practice anyway.
Q. How do you switch from receive to transmit? Does it have PTT?
A.
T/R switching is built into the Senior. A relay switches the antenna from
your receiver and also provides muting contacts to mute your receiving
equipment. Jacks are located on the rear panel. A PTT connection is provided
in the microphone plug on the front panel as well as a toggle switch that
will also switch your equipment into transmit, should you not have a
microphone with PTT.
Q. What kind of AC power does the Senior 300 watt transmitter need?
A. It
uses regular 120 VAC. It does not require 240 VAC as do most high powered
transmitters in this class. It will draw approximately 5 amps when
transmitting. Remember Class D is extremely efficient and if you are looking
to heat the shack, like most 300 watt transmitters would, forget
it. Put on you Long Johns, your parka and gloves and slide up next to a DYY
Senior this winter!
Q. Why not put the microphone preamplifier inside the Senior?
A. That's a
good question! Being that there is a lot of high power (square wave)
circuitry in that little box, the environment is not a good place to house
low level circuitry like a microphone preamp. Not only that, some of the
most popular ham microphones, like the venerable D-104, is best served with
as short a lead as possible between the element and the first audio stage,
as in the K7DYY Audio Processor mounted in the D-104 base. That means that
the coiled cord now carries line level audio, nearly immune to RF and noise!
Click here to email
me with your question
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