The sweep tubes in my FL2500 amplifier can't take very much abuse.  So I do 
my tune-up by cranking the speed of the internal keyer all the way up, then 
start sending dits.  This gives me a 50% duty cycle, and a better indication 
of maximum possible peak power.  Because the 2500 doesn't have a tuned input 
circuit, it will always look like a 1.5:1 or 2:1 SWR to the FT950, so part 
of my procedure, before final adjustments, is to let the 950 tune itself up 
into the input of the amplifier on the frequency of interest.  I also do 
most of this tune-up into a Heathkit Cantenna dummy load, so I may not be on 
my antenna until the last 10 seconds or so.
73,


Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Wheaton, MD
http://lras.home.sprynet.com
-----Original Message----- 
From: Tom Behler
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 2:00 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Tuning the 811H

Michael:

I perform basically the same steps as you do to tune my AL811H, with the
only exception being somewhat different input power levels during the tuning
process.

The steps I use were given to me by our friend Kevin (K7RX), as he elmered
me when I was getting things set up out in Colorado five years ago.

In addition, I have my plate, load, and band switch controls on the AL811 H
labeled in Braille, like you do.

Here are the steps:

1.  Make sure the auto tuner in the rig is off.

2.  Obtain the lowest SWR to your antenna with your manual tuner.

3.  Set the band switch on the 811H to the band of choice.

4.  Preset the plate and load controls on the 811H to the suggested settings
for the band using the tuning chart.

5.  For right now, set the power on the rig to about 30 watts.

6.  Press and hold the forward power button on the TW1 until you hear the
chirp that sounds like the one when you hold in the SWR button when you are
adjusting the tuner.

7.  Key the rig and adjust the plate control on the 811H for highest pitch.

8.  Now adjust the load control on the 811H for highest pitch.

9.  Repeat steps 7 and 8 in order until no higher pitch can be achieved and
then do a final check of the plate control for highest pitch.

10.  Unkey the rig and bring the power level up to 65 to 70 watts.

11.  At this level of drive, key the rig and repeat steps 7, 8 and 9 until
no higher pitch can be achieved, again always making a final check of the
plate control.

12.  If you want to adjust the ALC, key the rig and turn the pot on the back
of the amp until you just hear a very small reduction in pitch.  This will
be the perfect setting, at least on that band.  Although at the drive level
you are using, ALC isn't super critical.

Note:  After a while when you have the feeling for the final settings of the
plate and load, you will probably skip the low drive adjustment and simply
move on to the normal drive power.  I endeavor to keep my tuning sessions
with the amp to approximately fifteen seconds or so just to protect the
tubes.  You can unkey, let them rest for a few seconds and then resume the
tuning procedure.




Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Michael Ryan
Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 12:58 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Tuning the 811H

Hi Tom:=20

Can you list your steps in tuning your 811H?=20 I'd like to compare notes.
Do you have braille markers placed around the = load and plate controls as I
do?
After I've got my FT-102 setup for amp operation, with the amp in = standby,
I preset the band, load and plate controls to the desired band.=20=

I then put the amp into operate and with the amp keyed,   I adjust the =
plate and load with 10W of drive to get the peak pitch with the TW-1.
I go back to standby, increase my 102's drive to about 80W and then =
activate the amp again, while keying, tweak the plate and load and = lastly
the plate again to get an even higher pitch.=20 Of course I follow the 5
second on and 10 second off rule. =20 I get my XYL every now and then to
look at my grid and plate settings = and I'm just under 200  for the grid,
500 for the plate and with 80W of = drive, I'm getting 725W CW. I then
reduce my drive to 50W and get 600W = Cw. On SSB I get 813 with that same
50W of drive.

73:=20
Mike VO1AX=20