I'am trying to get my first boatanchor on the air but need a dow key. Where do
I pick one up at? Is there any special kind I need. I have a Johnson Valiant.
Any advice would be great.KE6JYC. Frank

FrankAirburn wrote:
I'am trying to get my first boatanchor on the air but need a dow key. Where do
I pick one up at? Is there any special kind I need. I have a Johnson Valiant.
Any advice would be great.KE6JYC. Frank

It took a few weeks but I finally landed one (dow key relay) on ebay for
about $20 when I was looking for one. They are kinda pricey these days.
I'm not familiar with which type works with the Valiant...there are 6
volt, 12 volt and 110 volt ones as well as some more obscrure ones.
This should be in the manual???
If all else fails, make your own with a plain old radio shack relay of
the correct voltage.
Good luck.

Dow Key still manufactures coaxial relays, but the're pricey--around $100 as of
a couple of years ago. If you don't want to spend that much, check out places
that sell used electronics equipment, or post a want-to-buy notice on line. You
should be able to find a used one in good condition for about $30.

W3DEF

Frank -

A few years ago QST had a great article and PC board kit for electronic
switchover of older
boatanchor equipment.

IF I find the web site link -- I will pass it along.

Greg
w9gb

"FrankAirburn" wrote in message
...
I'am trying to get my first boatanchor on the air but need a dow key.
Where do
I pick one up at? Is there any special kind I need. I have a Johnson
Valiant.
Any advice would be great.

KE6JYC. Frank

Hi, Frank,

Welcome to the wonderful world of boatanchoring.

I have several Johnson radios, and have had several Valiants over the years.
They work very well, and you should enjoy it a lot.

There is a dowkey relay on eBay right now, currently at $29. This is about
right...probably will go for about $40.

You need one with external contacts, as you want to mute your receiver when
transmitting. You'll want one that is wired for 110vAC. This is the common
voltage for the older receivers, such as Hammarlund, Hallicrafters or
National. I'm assuming you'll be using an older boatanchor receiver as
well.

You don't actually have to have a changeover relay. All older receivers
have a standby/receive switch on them, and you can manually mute your
receiver when transmitting...a changeover relay is just more convenient,
however.

Here is the eBay URL;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...ategory=46 71

Good luck,

Larry, N0XB
Northfield, MN



"FrankAirburn" wrote in message
...
I'am trying to get my first boatanchor on the air but need a dow key.
Where do
I pick one up at? Is there any special kind I need. I have a Johnson
Valiant.
Any advice would be great.KE6JYC. Frank

Frank -

You may wish to look at the Radio Adventures kit .

It has been featured in QST and the ARRL Handbook

http://www.radioadv.com/ham_radio_eq...ries/BK175.htm

Greg
w9gb
--
DO NOT use Reply.
Only reply through ARRL forwarding service to W9GB


"FrankAirburn" wrote in message
...
I'am trying to get my first boatanchor on the air but need a dow key.
Where do
I pick one up at? Is there any special kind I need. I have a Johnson
Valiant.
Any advice would be great.KE6JYC. Frank