Steve:
After initial testing, things seem to be working well.
Of course, I'd like to learn more about each piece of equipment by reading
the manuals in depth, but, at the same time, it's time to get the new gear
on the air.
I'm going to try to be around for our week-end nets.
Or, perhaps, I'll try to set up a time and frequency to test things with
some list members.
Will keep everyone posted.
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steve Forst
Sent: Thursday, March 12, 2015 2:52 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Oh, those nagging quality control concerns
Tom,
For what it's worth, the interface cable for radio/tuner I have is the
same, and it was purchased 7 years ago. I guess that's how they do things.
Hope everything is working well despite the glitches. Hope to hear you
in the Michigan QSO party in a few weeks.
73, Steve KW3A
On 3/12/2015 2:40 PM, Tom Behler wrote:
> Hi, everyone.
>
>
>
> As most of you know, I recently purchased an MFJ 998 auto-tuner, and
> an Ameritron ALS600 solid-state amplifier as new additions to my
> station here at the home QTH.
>
>
>
> I have been in the process of re-configuring my station setup, getting
> the equipment installed, and testing the equipment to be sure it is
> totally up and running. I now think I'm just about ready to put
> everything on the air in a sustained way, but wanted to report on a
> few nagging quality-control concerns that I've experienced over the past
few days.
>
>
>
> First, I ordered an MFJ 5114K Kenwood interface cable to connect
> between my TS590, and the MFJ 998 auto-tuner. One thing I immediately
> noticed when I took the cable out of the package was that the molex
> connector that plugs into the TS590 was not securely fastened to the
> interface cable. The wires were all connected, but the shrink tubing
> on the cable was not close enough to the connector to insure sufficient
strain release for the connections.
> Fortunately, I had some shrink tubing here, and was able to firm up
> the connection, and secure it further with electrical tape. I guess
> that's cheaper than sending the cable back to HRO for a replacement,
> although I don't think this is something I should have had to do.
>
>
>
> Secondly, I ran into an interesting problem with my new ALS600. I
> purchased and installed the 10 and 12-meter modification for the
> amplifier, and to install it, I had to remove the amplifier cover.
> This should have been a simple process, right? Well, installing the
> mod was actually quite simple, but where I ran into problems was when
> I tried to put the cover back onto the amplifier. There are 22 screws
> that are used to fasten the cover to the amplifier, and all went well,
> until I got to the four screws on the very bottom right-hand side of
> the amplifier case. The screws simply would not re-fasten to the
> chassis. It turns out that there are little pop rivets that are
> fastened to the holes on the chassis, and these serve as nuts for
> securing the screws. Those nuts had fallen out when I initially loosened
the screws, and I have been unable to fit them back into the chassis holes.
> Of course, the cover is still very securely fastened to the amplifier
> unit via the 18 remaining screws, but it simply seems to me that,
> after paying
> $1349 for the amplifier, this kind of problem should not happen. I
> called Ameritron Technical support, and they assured me that this will
> not affect the safe operation of the amplifier, so I am not going to
> pay the money to send the amp back to them for a warranty repair.
>
>
>
> I guess this all goes to show you that they simply don't make things
> like they used to.
>
>
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>
>
>
>
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