Hi Steve KW3A and All!
I am interested in the WaveNode WN-2 discussed below. Frankly, I have never
heard of it. In particular, the WN-2's accessibility features (speech,
tones, etc) seem nice. I wonder if you could say a bit about 1) what sorts
of audible speech and tone information you are able to get out of it, 2) how
accessible the software for it is and 3) how it differs from the vaunted yet
extinct TW-1? As to the software, I use JAWS without Braille; so that is
really what I mean as far as its accessibility.
73,
Richard KK6MRH
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steve Forst
Sent: Tuesday, December 08, 2015 12:13 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Ameritron AL-80B operation
Mike,
I do use the TW-1 for tune up, but find it to read low for power
readings. I have a Wavenode WN-2 computer controlled swr/watt
meter. It compares favorably with the analog meters in the shack
(amps, and tuners), while the TW-1 always reads low.
The amp is rated at 1KW SSB, 800 CW, and 500 RTTY, but I never push it
to the limit. I had to replace the original tube about a year and
ahalf ago, with one from RF Parts. Seems like a bit more output
than the original. Can see more than a KW on most bands, but I don't
like the smell of smoke.
I usually tune at 75 watts drive and then advance the load, then reduce
drive to get output I want. I was running 65 watts drive over the
weekend to get just under 700 out on 160 CW.
Any difference in drive between CW and SSB is going to be influenced by
stuff like microphone, mic gain, compression, etc. The manual
suggests setting up for a max key down output of 800 watts, and voice
peaks will be hitting the 1 K level. Assuming you want to run everything to
the max.
I'm not sure I would drive it with 100 watts under any circumstances.
For my setup, even 85 seems a bit much. If you are going to keep drive
set at 100 watts, use of ALC might be a good idea.
Mine has the grid protection board installed. I've only had it trip a
couple of times. Usually at the start of a tune, if the controls
weren't set to the proper initial settings.
73, Steve KW3A
.
On 12/8/2015 2:10 PM, Michael Ryan wrote:
> Hi Steve (KW3A)
>
> You run an AL-80B right? Do you use a TW-1 for readings?
> What's the headroom like on that amp? How much drive does it take to get
rated outputs in both CW and SSB?
> According to the Manual, the typical drive for rated output is 85W but the
max drive permissible is 100 plus watts.
> Do you get these numbers?
>
> TNX and 73:
> Mike DE VO1AX
>
> Sent from BlueMail
>
|
