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 >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>> >>> >>> > > >