On seeing the above posts relating to the Midi Out being disabled once loaded by Charlie Hall I thought it reasonable to find out if this was true - just in case I decided to purchase a second hand unit.
Taken from the Website.
Hi XXXX,
I cannot allow the MIDI out to be re-enabled even if it were possible as the chip has been epoxied. I don't want to get in a situation where we argue about it and you haven't even bought it yet. You will be much better off going for a different Q20 that I haven't programmed before, or waiting for the Hall & Collins unit.
Regards,
So I suppose the way forward is to suck it and see. Or look at the PCB for an Epoxied Chip.
I have just downloaded the Q20 Service manual. I have never opened a Q20 up - so at this time I don't know the physical difficulties in soldering in a standby battery whilst changing the main one.
At this point in time I am thinking that if you loose the patches - because the midi out is disabled (because the midi load / unload requires both in and out working for transfer) then no one can replace them.
Hope I am wrong