Dave,
I'm sorry, but don't know the answers to these questions. I did
initial set up on mine back in 2008 and haven't played around with it since.
I only use a single antenna out from the tuner. This goes to a Alpha
Delta 4 position switch mounted under the top of the desk. From the
switch, out to 3 antennas and a dummy load, so I never switch antennas
on the tuner.
73, Steve KW3A
On 12/17/2014 6:04 PM, Dave Basden wrote:
> Hi Steve,
>
> I just downloaded and listened to the 998 manual. Am I correct in
> assuming the 998 does not remember which of the two antennas was in
> use on each frequency band? It also seems that one cannot use
> Antenna 2 when bypassing the tuner. I'm looking forward to getting
> the tuner on line after Xmas.
>
> 73,
>
> Dave, W7OQ
>
> At 03:08 PM 12/15/2014, you wrote:
>> Good luck Dave. I doubt I will smell anything burning from this distance.
>>
>> You may already know this, but you will need to provide 12 volts to the
>> tuner. While there is 12 vdc available on the 6 pin molex connector
>> on the back of the radio, there isn't enough current to run this tuner.
>> Smaller tuners can take the power from the radio, but not the 998.
>> I think it needs a full amp. I power mine from the station's supply,
>> but you can use a different supply, proper size wall wart, or whatever.
>>
>> In the box with the tuner you will get a power cable with the plug at
>> one end to go to the tuner and bare wires on the other end to connect to
>> the 12 vdc.
>>
>> If I remember right, the tuner is default set up for Kenwood, so no
>> jumper change needed inside. Also, when all is set up right, be sure
>> the tuner is always turned on first, before the radio. This way the
>> radio will recognize the tuner.
>>
>> If you haven't listened to this already, there is a audio version of
>> the manual on the active elements website.
>>
>> http://active-elements.org/
>>
>> 73, good luck, Steve KW3A
>>
>>
>>
>> On 12/15/2014 5:15 PM, Dave Basden wrote:
>>> Hi Steve,
>>>
>>> Well, I ordered the MFJ998 this morning along with the Kenwood
>>> cable. I'll cross my fingers that it was put together correctly.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>>
>>> Dave, W7OQ
>>>
>>> At 05:27 AM 12/9/2014, you wrote:
>>>> Hi Dave,
>>>>
>>>> I am using the notorious MFJ-998. Had mine six and a half years with no
>>>> issues or problems. Even back then, there were reports of QC
>>>> problems, so I did something I would usually never do. I bought a demo
>>>> unit from a dealer. I figured if it was going to fail, it would have
>>>> failed in use at the dealers. It came with a very steep discount on
>>>> price, but also had the full factory warranty. I took a gamble and
>>>> for once in my life it paid off.
>>>>
>>>> With the optional cable, it interfaces to the 6 pin molex on the radio.
>>>> Hitting the tune button on the radio puts the radio into a low power
>>>> CW carrier, tunes the tuner, then returns the radio to original
>> mode/power.
>>>>
>>>> Recently,with the Hex, and 30 meter GP, I only need it on 160-40 meters.
>>>> The tuner won't load my dipole above 1.880, but no problem since
>>>> all the action is lower. Probably need some antenna adjustment.
>>>>
>>>> It's rated at 1.5 kw, but I've only put 1 k into it. I think some on
>>>> the list may be using the MFJ-993 (300 watts) and the MFJ-994 (600
>>>> watts) with similar interface to the radio.
>>>>
>>>> The LDG 1000 is nice, but is limited to 1kw on SSB and 750 watts CW.
>>>> It does cover 6 meters (the MFJ doesn't), but doesn't interface with the
>>>> radio. You could set a pf key to do TX Tune: hit the pf key,the
>>>> radio goes to cw low power, then hit the tune on the tuner to do the
>>>> tune, then hit the pf key again to exit TX tune and revert to original
>>>> mode/power.
>>>>
>>>> There is also a work around to disable the internal tuner with a
>>>> resistor in the molex jack so you wouldn't have to use the pf key.
>>>>
>>>> If you've been a very good boy, maybe Santa would bring you a Palstar
>>>> Auto. Instead of relays like the MFJ and LDG, the Palstar uses motors
>>>> to turn real variable caps and a roller inductor. It's around $1,500
>>>> and has menus and a display. Not sure how accessible it is. I don't
>>>> really remember if I needed any sighted help getting the MFJ-998 up and
>>>> working, but I've been on my own for the last 5 years and haven't
>>>> needed to monkey with it.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hope this long winded discourse was of some help.
>>>> You still have a few weeks to get your chimney swept out. You don't
>>>> want soot on your new toy.
>>>> 73, Steve KW3A
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On 12/9/2014 12:27 AM, Dave Basden wrote:
>>>>> Hi Steve,
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm thinking of asking Santa for an automatic tuner. I see that the MFJ
>>>>> 998 interfaces with Kenwood rigs, but the reviews on the MFJ 998 on Eham
>>>>> suggest a real quality control problem. What are you using and how easy
>>>>> is it to use with the TS-590?
>>>>>
>>>>> 73,
>>>>>
>>>>> Dave, W7OQ
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
>
>
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