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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