Dave,
You are one patient dude. Good luck with your new toy.
73, Steve KW3A
On 12/17/2014 2:06 PM, Dave Basden wrote:
> Hi Steve,
>
> The tuner arrived yesterday and is under the tree awaiting Xmas. I
> do remember reading that the tuner needs 12BDC, but it had slipped
> my very slippery mind. I'll hook it to my supply for the rig as you
> did. I'll also get the manual and red it before Xmas morning.
> Thanks for the advice.
>
> 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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