Hi Steve!
Yes, I have wondered about this timing and SWR trip point between the 1306
and the 998. I am going to add this to the list of things to try to fix
this problem. And, what a neat switch you made so that you do not have to
get up and flip switches every time you tune! Failing everything else, I
will circle back with you about your gismo : )
73,
Richard KK6MRH
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steve Forst
Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2016 12:10 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Ameritron ALS-1306 Not Going into Bypass Mode During Tuning
Richard,
I understand you and think we are both on the same page. Perhaps the
amp's SWR protection is just too quick and trips before the tuner relay can
unlatch. Something else to add to your list of questions when you contact
Ameritron.
Perhaps lowering the tuner's SWR limit below the default 2.0 would let
the tuner do it's thing before the amp has a chance to react. I think
the next lower setting is 1.5. You would always be tuning to keep
your SWR below 1.5 now instead of 2.0, but maybe the amp would be happy.
I understand the distance problem between the amp and your operating
position. With a couple of RCA cables and the appropriate switch, you
could put a switch in the keying line that is right at your operating
position. You could flip the switch to break the key line and do a
tune, then flip the switch back, assuming you can't get the tuner's
bypass to work the way you want. I have such a switch in line with my
AL-80B so I don't have to reach for the amp each time I tune.
73, Steve KW3A
On 1/16/2016 2:44 PM, Richard B. McDonald wrote:
> Hi Steve!
>
> It is entirely possible that I am misunderstand this. Let me explain
> it this way:
>
> My "amp enable in/out" RCA jacks (two of them) run between the 998 and
> the 1306. The 998 is interfaced correctly to the TS-2000 with its
> respective cable. The 1306 is also properly interfaced with the
> TS-2000 with its respective cable.
>
> Indeed, keying (PTT) works. Pressing the TS-2000's "tune" [AT] button
> does indeed correctly cause the TS-2000 into low power, CW mode during
> tuning, and then return it to its prior state once tuning has completed.
>
> All the above works fine while the 1306 is in "standby" mode.
>
> However, if the 1306 is in "operate" mode, it is supposed to go into
> "bypass" (not "standby") mode during the tuning process, and then
> return to its "operate" mode once tuning has completed. This is not
> happening. As a result, even though the TS-2000 has properly dropped
> to low power and CW mode, that ~5 watts of low power going to the 1306
> yields ~70 watts coming through to the 998. The 998 therefore squawks
> "QRP", stops tuning, and ends up with a high SWR. Since there is now
> a high SWR, the 1306 now sees it and goes into an "error condition" (high
SWR).
>
> Simply put, the 998 is supposed to 1) drop the TS-2000 into low power
> and CW mode *and* 2) put the 1306 into bypass mode during tuning. "1"
> is happening. "2" is not.
>
> I hope I am explaining better here what's happening.
>
> 73,
> Richard KK6MRH
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Steve Forst
> Sent: Saturday, January 16, 2016 8:09 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Ameritron ALS-1306 Not Going into Bypass Mode During
> Tuning
>
> Richard,
>
> Not exactly. It is a properly connected and recognized interface
> between radio and tuner that causes the radio to drop power and break
> the key line ( RCA amp enable jacks) when you tune with the tune
> button on the radio.
>
> 73, Steve KW3A.
>
>
>
> On 1/16/2016 10:48 AM, Richard B. McDonald wrote:
>> Hi John,
>>
>> Of course, I agree with this. That said, reducing the radio's
>> (TS-2000) power and placing the amp (1306) into "bypass" (not
>> "standby") is precisely what the MFJ-998 is supposed to do when using
>> its "Amp Enable In/Out" RCA jacks. And, yet, it is not working.
>> Indeed, it is this automation functionality of both the 998 and 1306
>> for which I have spent a fair amount of money over and beyond what I
>> would have paid for equipment that does not have such functionality.
>> And, this sort of automation provides an excellent backup if I make a
> mistake flipping switches, or forget altogether to do so.
>> What's more, in my shack the 1306 is not within hands reach, so it is
>> that much more inconvenient. Hence, I am keen on getting this
>> equipment to perform as advertised.
>>
>> 73,
>> Richard KK6MRH
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of John Miller
>> Sent: Friday, January 15, 2016 6:13 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Ameritron ALS-1306 Not Going into Bypass Mode During
>> Tuning
>>
>> Any time I ever had an amplifier, I always tuned in the standby
>> position, never with the amp ready to operate. I never had a solid
>> state one but assume that's still an option, there is no reason to
>> tune with high power, none at all.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Tom Behler
>> Sent: Friday, January 15, 2016 7:26 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Ameritron ALS-1306 Not Going into Bypass Mode During
>> Tuning
>>
>> To clarify my last post on the issue, I never tune with my ALS600
>> amplifier in the operate mode.
>>
>> I always tune with the amp in stand-by mode, just to be safe, and
>> then, once the antenna is tuned, I put the amp in the operate mode.
>>
>> Sorry for any confusion I might have created with my original reply.
>>
>> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Tom Behler
>> Sent: Friday, January 15, 2016 7:12 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: Ameritron ALS-1306 Not Going into Bypass Mode During
>> Tuning
>>
>> Richard:
>>
>> It is probably because you are auto-tuning at a low output power
>> level, which doesn't make the amp bypass mode a necessity.
>>
>> Perhaps I'm wrong, so I hope others will weigh in as well.
>>
>> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Richard B. McDonald
>> Sent: Friday, January 15, 2016 6:47 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Ameritron ALS-1306 Not Going into Bypass Mode During Tuning
>>
>> Hi!
>>
>>
>>
>> With my Kenwood TS-2000, I use both an Ameritron ALS-1306 amp and an
>> MFJ-998 antenna tuner. Both the 1306 and the 998 are connected to
>> the
>> TS-2000 with their respective interface cables. I also have the
>> 998's "Amp Enable In/OUT" RCA cables connected to the 1306.
>>
>>
>>
>> However, when I press the "Tune" (AT) button on the TS-2000, the 1306
>> does not go into bypass mode during the tuning process. I cannot
>> figure out why this is happening : ( I would appreciate any insights
> anyone has on this.
>>
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>> Richard KK6MRH
>>
>
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