Frank:
I have a PDF of the MFJ 998 auto-tuner manual that is reasonably accessible.
I can send it to you if you provide me with your personal e-mail address.
Also, as I think someone has mentioned before, there is an audio version of
the manual on the Active elements.org web site. It can be found in the
manuals section:
http://active-elements.org/recordings/manuals/
Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Frank Ventura
Sent: Friday, December 11, 2015 9:40 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Blind friendly solid state amps
Thank you very much. That is very good information. Is there any accessible=
documentation or tutorials for the MFJ 998 to help set it up and get it wo=
rking?
Thanks
Frank
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]] =
On Behalf Of Steve Forst
Sent: Wednesday, December 9, 2015 9:41 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Blind friendly solid state amps
Frank,
First, on a question you had posted on a similar thread: The MFJ autotuner=
s will interface with your TS-2000. I have one here and have used it with =
my MFJ-998, before using it with the 480, and later with=20
the 590. The interface cable is about 20 bucks and plugs into the=20
little 6 pin molex connector on the back of the radio, next to the 2 meter=
antenna jack.
Others have used the LDG tuners (without interface) with no problems.=20
Jim's experience notwithstanding.
You would need some sort of external tuner if you want to run an amp=20
and your antennas are not resonant. If I remember right, you are=20
running some sort of vertical. I don't know what bands it covers or what y=
our swr is on the bands you want to operate.
Here is the deal with SS amps: The final transistors are easily=20
destroyed so the amps have a number of protection circuits in them.=20 If
it sees a high swr (usually over 2:1), too much reflected power, too muc= h
drive from the transceiver, wrong band selected, wrong antenna selected,=
over heat, or some other internal problems, the amp will go=20
into standby before any damage is done. You would just flip a switch=20
and be back in operation, but you also need to address the problem that cau=
sed the fault.
If the problem is high swr, the only options are to operate where your ante=
nna has a low swr, or use an external tuner.
The MFJ-998 being discussed is rated at legal limit. There are auto=20
tuners made by MFJ and LDG that are rated at less power. Would handle=20
the 600 watt amp and cost less then the 998.
Don't forget, if you add an amp, everything downstream from the amp needs t=
o be able to handle the extra power: tuner, watt meter, coax, balun, antenn=
a, etc.
Good luck, 73, Steve KW3A
On 12/9/2015 4:36 AM, Frank Ventura wrote:
> Steve, thank you for the feedback. So if I understand it correctly I
> shou=
ld=3D
> get an automatic tuner up and running and then think about adding=20
> the amp =3D after that?
> Frank
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators=20
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] =3D On Behalf Of Steve Forst
> Sent: Tuesday, December 8, 2015 7:12 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Blind friendly solid state amps
>
> Frank,
>
> A number of folks on this list have the Ameritron 600 watt SS amp,=20
> either t=3D he Al-600 with linear supply, or the ALS-600 with the
> switch=
ing=3D20
> supply. I think those that have them are happy. It is probably the=3D=
20
> best bang for the buck you will find in a SS amp.
>
> The 1300 watt version is twice the power, and also twice the
> price.=3D20=
=20
> Several thousand dollar units from Expert, Yeasu, and Icom
>
> Another one to consider is the 500 watt SS amp from Elecraft. More=3D2=
0
> money than the Ameritron, but maybe more reliable and more features.
>
> Rumor a few months ago is that the next incarnation of the AL-600
> will=20 incl=3D ude 6 meters and auto bandswitching.
>
> Any SS amp wants to see a SWR less than about 2:1. You will probably=3D=
20
> need an external tuner rated for the power you plan to run. The=3D20
> auto tuner in your rig won't help here. Of course, you can run=20
> resonant an=3D tennas for all bands of interest and avoid the extra
> cost=
=20
> of the external t=3D uner.
>
> 73, Steve KW3A
>
> On 12/8/2015 6:46 PM, Frank Ventura wrote:
>> Hi all, I am considering getting an amp for 10 to 75m SSB. I
>> would=3D20=
=20
>> like a s=3D3D maller solid state amp. Does anyone have any=20
>> recommendations =3D
> as to what may=3D3D
>> be easiest to use for someone who is totally blind. I have had=20
>> one=3D20 recomme=3D3D ndation of an Ameritron 600 but would like to
>> hear=
=20
>> other opini=3D
> ons.
>> Thanks
>> Frank
>>
>
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