Obviously one of those instances when those with sight don't notice what we
notice!
When the amp shuts down, it emits a high pitch note for a couple of seconds,
and there is a noticeable "click" from a relay.
When switched from operate to standby, or the reverse, the relay has a
definite sound according to which direction it moves to.
Only when I was setting it up did I use a light detector, as I did with the
KAT500. But in regular use this isn't necessary.
73
David W Wood
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Butch Bussen
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2015 3:01 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Blind friendly solid state amps
I have a sighted friend who has one, and he says it is silent, no relays
or anything, so I think it would be difficult for a blind person to run.
He says his will shut down and if he isn't watching the lights, he
doesn't know. There are also things that need to be set up in a menu.
Just some thoughts.
73
Butch
WA0VJR
Node 3148
Wallace, ks.
On Wed, 9 Dec 2015, David W Wood wrote:
> Richard
>
> The Elecraft line covers 160 through 6 metres, including the sixty metre
> band.
> It also "memorizes" settings.
>
> 73
>
> David W Wood
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Richard B. McDonald
> Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2015 4:57 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Blind friendly solid state amps
>
> 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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