IMHO, the real reason for a foot switch is timing. When running high rates in a phone contest, you can't set the VOX delay and hang time well enough to drop the PTT soon enough without chopping up in the middle of speaking (or yelling, as it were).
With a foot switch, I can key, do the exchange, and drop the PTT exactly as fast as I need to without relay switching, cut outs, etc.. If I tried to do it via VOX, the hangtime at the end would be wasting time as well, not to mention making copy more difficult on the other end, and shortening the life of amplifier relays, etc.. I think this is the case regardless of VOX implementation, the K3 has nice VOX and all, but I still much prefer a foot switch for SSB contesting. For casual SSB ragchewing, VOX is just fine though. -Jeff N6GQ On Fri, Mar 21, 2008 at 4:52 PM, Jim Cox <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > If the vox is set properly you dont have the problem of noises keying it. > Set it so only your voice will key when an inch or so from the mic. Most > people have it so sensitive that a voice in the next room will key the vox, > so it does pick up kids in the next room. > Jim K4JAF > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Jim Wiley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Elecraft Reflector" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Friday, March 21, 2008 6:30 PM > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT: foot switch - why? > > > > Well. I can think of a few reasons: > > > > Keeps the family dog from becoming a radio personality when the mail > > carrier or some other delivery person comes up to the door > > > > > > I like the positive control - a foot switch lets me make sure the PTT is > > closed when I want the transmitter on, and open when I want the > > transmitter to be off// > > > > > > VOX sometimes activates, or fails to activate, at inopportune times - and > > you have to keep fiddling with it > > > > > > A foot switch is a lot easier to use, in my opinion, than a microphone > > mounted switch or "press bar" > > > > I could probably think of a few others, but I'll let others take over now. > > > > 73 > > > > > > _ Jim, KL7CC > > > > Registered Fuddy-Duddy > > > > > > > > > > > > DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL wrote: > >> > >> Which begs the question...why do folks use a foot switch from home if > >> they are the only one in the room? I use vox. > >> > >> > >> > > _______________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
