Hi Tom,

You may have already decided what to do based on the responses you've
already received, so if this is old hat you can ignore it.

I think you'll be all right with one power supply as long as you don't
accidentally hit the transmit switch on both rigs simultaneously.  You may
also be able to use your second rig as a receiver if you can find a jack on
the back of the 746 that will let you route the 746's receive signal to
another source.  I have an Icom 751A, and it has a jack like that.  The
original intent of the jack was to connect a transverter, so the switching
circuitry is already in place to prevent RF from getting into the second
receiver.  Your son should be able to find the right connection if one
exists.  If it doesn't, you may be able to wire up one of the spare jacks
so it connects to the receiver path on the TR relay (or electronic switch)
inside the 746.

Several years ago, I used my 751A along with an R71 in this configuration,
and I never had any trouble with damaging the front end of the $71.

Steve

On Monday 12/23/02 19:53 Tom Behler wrote:
>Hi, all.
>
>This may be a stupid question, so when you read it, just be nice, and try to
>answer it as best as you can.  Remember:  It is the Christmas season!  HI!
>HI!  HI!
>
>Anyway, here's the deal:
>
>My son, who is also a ham, is helping me re-design my basement ham shack
>here at the house.  I want to have the capability of running two HF rigs
>simultaneously for either contesting, or emergency net work.  My main rig is
>an Icom 746.  It draws about 18 amps on full power, and is most likely the
>rig I would be transmitting with.  The other rig is an Icom 718, which draws
>about 3 amps on receive, and is the rig I would listen to other frequencies
>with.  I would like to run both rigs off the same power supply, which is an
>Astron RS35 supply, and the same antenna system if possible.  My antenna
>system consists of four HF antennas (used for different bands, of course),
>and a six-position antenna switch that I use to switch antennas as needed.
>
>Can I do this safely?  Can I transmit with the 746, and not cause damage to
>the 718 with this set-up?  Can I have the rigs located next to each other,
>or should I separate them by a considerable distance?  If so, how much?
>
>By the way, I should add that both rigs will be connected to a common RF
>ground.
>
>Any suggestions here would be appreciated.  I hope this isn't too stupid of
>a question, but I have never had two HF rigs to work with before, and I want
>to be safe, rather than sorry.
>
>Thanks much, and merry Christmas.
>
>Best 73 from Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ