Pat and all:

Well my approach at this point will be just to keep an eye on things, and 
check periodically for later output power drops.

If the RS35 does get flaky again, I am going to keep the Samlex switching 
supply in the home shack as a back-up.  No sense having it just sitting out 
in the RV in the dead of winter doing nothing.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Pat Byrne" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 8:43 PM
Subject: Re: Reduced TS590 Output Power Followup


>I have to join the concensus Tom; perhaps disconnecting and
> reconnecting the power leads to the Astron cleared a bit of corosion
> or something that was causing a voltage drop down the chain, but
> sounds now like you are back in business.  Part of me wants to get
> serious and check voltage and power outputs but the practical lazy
> side of me says leave sleeping dogs lie!!
> But you wound up on top.
> Happy New Year!!
> Pat, K9JAUAt 06:46 PM 12/29/2011, you wrote:
>>     Hi, all.
>>
>>Well, it has been a very interesting hour here, as I have tried to figure
>>out what was going on with the reduced power readings I was getting with 
>>my
>>TS590.
>>
>>First of all, I want to say a great big thanks to Steve Dresser (WA1RTB).
>>For whatever reason, I did not know that pressing the PF function button 
>>for
>>S meter readings when transmitting gives you the rig's output power.
>>Knowing this, and using this function has made a world of difference.
>>
>>Before I say anythihng more, let me re-state that all power readings were
>>taken with the rig's internal tuner off, the TX power control in the 
>>highest
>>possible position, and with my Tentech 238A manual antenna tuner in the
>>bypass position.
>>
>>My first series of tests this evening involved taking power readings at 
>>the
>>resonant frequency of one of my antennas.  My output power readings with
>>both the TW1 and the Rig's power meter varied anywhere from 68 to 80 
>>watts.
>>In all cases, I was using my Astron RS35 linear power supply.
>>
>>
>>
>>Then, I decided to switch power supplies.  I retrieved my Samlex 1235 
>>supply
>>from my RV, and tested things with that supply.  Again, for the tests, the
>>conditions were the same with this new supply.
>>
>>When I took power readings this time, the rig's meter gave me a solid and
>>consistent 100 watts.  The TW1 gave me readings that varied between 87 and
>>89 watts, but they were at least closer to being in the ballpark 
>>especially
>>when it is considered that the TW1 has about a 10% error margin.
>>
>>Then, I connected things back up to the Astron RS35 supply, and, for 
>>reasons
>>that I don't understand, I once again got consistent 100 watt readings 
>>from
>>the TS590 watt meter, and found the TW1 readings to vary from 81 to 89
>>watts.
>>
>>As a result, I am coming to two conclusions:
>>
>>1.  Either something is starting to get flaky with my 14-year-old RS35
>>supply;  or
>>
>>2.  When I did the tests with the Samlex supply, something might have 
>>gotten
>>re-set in the rig so that 100 watts now means 100 watts.
>>
>>Do any of these arguments make sense?
>>
>>Should I begin to get into the market for a new power supply?
>>
>>Just seeking some advice here.
>>
>>73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>