Are any of you guys planning to get the Alpha tuner if and when it comes
out?  I thought about it but I only use a tuner on 75M, and not all that
often.  It wouldn't make a whole lot of sense to invest in such a high-buck
tuner for one infrequently used band.  It should really be a class act
though.
The other thing is that if I get the SPE 2KFA as I think I will, it has a
builtin tuner which I could use on 75M.  The 2KFA also has a 6 port antenna
switch.  That makes the amp very versatile.

73
Soon to be N7MIT



Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Dave Basden
Sent: Wednesday, December 17, 2014 9:05 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Antenna Tuners

Hi Steve,

Not a problem!  I'm pretty sure of the answers.  It would have been 
nice if, like the transceiver, the tuner remembered which antenna was 
in use on which band.  As for using Antenna 2 when the tuner is 
turned off, there really isn't any reason not to leave it on.  I 
think it may allow you to choose the antenna while the tuner is on 
and in bypass mode.

73,

Dave, W7OQ

At 03:27 PM 12/17/2014, you wrote:
>Dave,
>
>I'm sorry, but don't know the answers to these questions.   I did
>initial set up on mine back in 2008 and haven't played around with it
since.
>
>I only use a single antenna out from the tuner.  This goes to a Alpha
>Delta 4 position switch mounted under the top of the desk.   From the
>switch, out to 3 antennas and a dummy load,  so I never switch antennas
>   on the tuner.
>
>73, Steve KW3A
>
>On 12/17/2014 6:04 PM, Dave Basden wrote:
> > 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
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
> >
> >