I don't know if it is out yet, but the ALS-600 is being upgraded to
the ALS606 which covers 6 meters. You probably still need to install
the 10 and 12 meter module as there is some concern that CB'er's
might buy it for 11 meters.
73,
Dave, W7OQ
At 08:56 AM 12/9/2015, you wrote:
>Hi All!
>
>I have been watching this thread with great interest. Soon, I also want to
>get a blind friendly SS amp. However, unlike the AL 600, I would really
>like an amp that covered 6M - 160M. I love the AL 600's wattage (600w) and
>"set and forget" features; so I'd want that functionality also. Does anyone
>know of such an amp? FYI, I have a Kenwood TS-2000 with a LDG KT-100 auto
>external antenna tuner (which is interfaced with the TS-2000).
>
>73,
>Richard KK6MRH
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>On Behalf Of Steve Forst
>Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2015 6:41 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 autotuners
>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
>the 590. The interface cable is about 20 bucks and plugs into the
>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.
>Jim's experience notwithstanding.
>
>You would need some sort of external tuner if you want to run an amp
>and your antennas are not resonant. If I remember right, you are
>running some sort of vertical. I don't know what bands it covers or what
>your swr is on the bands you want to operate.
>
>Here is the deal with SS amps: The final transistors are easily
>destroyed so the amps have a number of protection circuits in them.
>If it sees a high swr (usually over 2:1), too much reflected power, too much
>drive from the transceiver, wrong band selected, wrong antenna selected,
>over heat, or some other internal problems, the amp will go
>into standby before any damage is done. You would just flip a switch
>and be back in operation, but you also need to address the problem that
>caused the fault.
>
>If the problem is high swr, the only options are to operate where your
>antenna has a low swr, or use an external tuner.
>
>The MFJ-998 being discussed is rated at legal limit. There are auto
>tuners made by MFJ and LDG that are rated at less power. Would handle
>the 600 watt amp and cost less then the 998.
>
>Don't forget, if you add an amp, everything downstream from the amp needs to
>be able to handle the extra power: tuner, watt meter, coax, balun, antenna,
>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
>should=
> > get an automatic tuner up and running and then think about adding
> > the amp = after that?
> > Frank
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: For blind ham radio operators
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]] = 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,
> > either t= he Al-600 with linear supply, or the ALS-600 with the
>switching=20
> > supply. I think those that have them are happy. It is probably the=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.=20
> > Several thousand dollar units from Expert, Yeasu, and Icom
> >
> > Another one to consider is the 500 watt SS amp from Elecraft. More=20
> > 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
> > incl= ude 6 meters and auto bandswitching.
> >
> > Any SS amp wants to see a SWR less than about 2:1. You will probably=20
> > need an external tuner rated for the power you plan to run. The=20
> > auto tuner in your rig won't help here. Of course, you can run
> > resonant an= tennas for all bands of interest and avoid the extra cost
> > of the external t= 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=20
> >> like a s=3D maller solid state amp. Does anyone have any
> >> recommendations =
> > as to what may=3D
> >> be easiest to use for someone who is totally blind. I have had
> >> one=20 recomme=3D ndation of an Ameritron 600 but would like to hear
> >> other opini=
> > ons.
> >> Thanks
> >> Frank
> >>
> >
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