I ended up ordering a cable for connecting my TS-590 and ALS-600 from a
fellow up in Michigan, K8TJ, Tim English, in Swartz Creek; on eBay, he goes
by the name of the CW-man. I purchased the cable with both the keying relay
and ALC hook-ups; though, I don't plan on using the ALC line. When I talked
to the fellow at Ameritron, he said the ALC was not necessary because I
could not overdrive the ALS-600 with the TS-590. Even still, since the price
for a cable with the ALC line and without it was about the same, I felt it
was better to have it in case I decide to try hooking it up to see how well
it worked. I am working more CW than SSB; so, I'll have to see how well it
works on CW. 

Thanks for all of your ideas, and suggestions. Even I felt I knew which way
I wanted/needed to go, I always like to get second opinions from you guys.
Often you bring up something I hadn't thought of, and with this gear,
especially the solid state stuff, you can't make mistakes! <lol>

Ron, K8HSY
 


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Michael Ryan
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2014 12:49 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: re TS-590 amp keying cable

Ron:=20

I'd get the cable only with the ALC connection. You may find you will = use
it and you may not but the option is there.=20 I would suspect though that
with a solid state amp, the ALC might be a = better protection option as
you'll be able to limit your drive to the = amp, keeping things at a safe
power levels with out the worry of =
overdriving.=20
Now if your a CW op, you might want to consider a high speed amp relay =
buffer that permits QSK CW and I'm not sure that the ALS line of amps =
do.=20
My self, I have the ALC in use with my FT-102 because of the 200W output =
of my rig and it keeps the drive to 65W, the most my amp can safely = handle
for tune up purposes.=20 I then reduce my drive to about 40/45W and get 500
or so CW and just = over 600W peaks on SSB. =20

HTH and 73:=20
Mike VO1AX=20