Steve, you suggested that I do what Ameritron tells me to do, and I
absolutely agree with you 100%. That is why the first thing I did is look
carefully at the ALS-600 manual, and when that didn't give me an answer, I
called Ameritron, which is not easy to do because their phone number is not
very available. The fellow at Ameritron that I talked to danced around my
questions, and I had to shake the tree pretty hard to get a straight answer
out of him; finally, he told me that the ALC is not necessary at all and
neither was the relay buffer, but he also told me that I should stick with
Ameritron/MFJ products and they sold an excellent relay buffer. In terms of
the ALC, he said since the TS-590 only put out 100 watts, I couldn't
overdrive the ALS-600 so the ALC wasn't necessary to connect up to the
amplifier. The way he danced around the buffer question, it wasn't clear,
except he seemed to be saying I didn't need it, but they would like to sell
me the one they have available. 

The people working with these companies may be great engineers and
technicians, but most of them are terrible customer service people! <Smile>

Ron, K8HSY
 


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steve Forst
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2014 12:43 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Connecting the TS-590 to the ALS-600 amp

As for ALC or no ALC, you should probably do what Ameritron says to do. 
  Everybody has some anecdotal story about their uncle who used it or didn't
and this happened or didn't happen.

I have a SS amp from THP and  ALC is pretty much mandatory, not just
suggested.


Another option is the Ameritron RB-704 buffer.   With the optional plug 
and play cable for the 590, around $70 total.    This also allows ALC 
connection if desired.

I'm sure you will do well, no matter which one you choose, but SS amps 
are different than  what you used in the old days, so  you may want to 
use ALC if recommended by  Ameritron  for this amp.

73, Steve KW3A


On 9/11/2014 1:22 PM, Dr. Ronald E. Milliman wrote:
> 		Okay, guys I went up on eBay and after considerable
> searching around trying different key words and phrases, I finally found
the
> cable/connectors I need to hook-up my TS-590 with my ALS-600 amp. However,
I
> have some choices, and I am asking for your recommendation. Here are my
> choices:
>
> 1.	Purchase the cable with the 7 pin Din connector on one end that goes
> into my TS-590 with a RCA phone jack on the other for switching the keying
> relays only but without the ALC line
>
> 2.	Purchase the cable with the 7 pin Din connector on one end that goes
> into my TS-590 with two RCA phone jacks on the other end for switching the
> keying relays and also to allow me to connect up the ALC line
>
> 3.	Purchase the cable with the 7 pin Din connector on one end that goes
> into my TS-590 with a RCA phone jack on the other for switching the keying
> relays only but without the ALC line, but also with the Amplifier Relay
> Buffer Keying Interface as described below.
>
> What do you suggest? The cost of just the cables without the Amplifier
Relay
> Buffer Keying Interface are $15. If I include the Amplifier Relay Buffer
> Keying Interface, the cost is $55 which includes both the cable and the
> Amplifier Relay Buffer Keying Interface. The money is not an issue. It is
my
> view that connecting the ALC line is not necessary and can be more of a
> problem than a solution. I also believe that I probably do not need the
> Amplifier Relay Buffer Keying Interface, but there is no downside for
having
> it. What do you knowledgeable ladies and gentlemen suggest?
>
>
> Amplifier Relay Buffer Keying Interface and 7 Pin Kenwood HF TS-590
>
> We use the highest quality 7 pin Din connector... Don't risk damage t your
> radio's connector jack, use our professional series cable and connector.
> High Quality relay box to interface between your Kenwood TS590 transceiver
> and will key any amplifier. Many newer radios can only provide for a small
> amount of current on the external amplifier keyig output.
>
> Our box will draw 0.3 MA from your radio and will key any amplifier. A
very
> handy accessory. Get one before you damage your radio's amplifier keying
> output!
> RCA jacks in and out. Needs 9 - 15 VDC at only 40 ma!
>
>
>