Very well explained video. Thank you! I am going to start referring this video to some of the new hams that call up and know absolutely nothing about radio let alone the amps they are trying to blow up.
As a suggestion: You did mention power handling capabilities of the antenna Dave. I have found the weakness in the antenna system can be the BALUN or UNUN that is not built to handle the increased power presented to it by the amplifier. These transformers are not all built the same as it regards power and heat. The torroids or beads or capacitors or wires in the BALUN can be heat soaked and the SWR will begin to "wander" upwards. So transformers are a critical component of the antenna system if you are using wire antennas (which often have a BALUN or UNUN) inline. BALUNS/UNUN's MUST exceed the power handling output of the amplifier just as you mentioned about the tuner. Keep an eye on your antenna tuner's SWR as you transmit and be aware of what the reflected power is while transmitting in "normal" conditions. Lastly, as you add more power to your signal, be aware of RF. Good grounding is very important as the power increases. 73 Art W1SWL
What a timely video! Just today, I installed an Acom 1200S amplifier to my ICOM7300. It was not quite as straight forward as I thought it would be. I used RG-58 coax to the amp for the RF signal. The transmit signal on the ICOM 7300 is labeled "Send". On the amp, it is called "Key In." The ALC on the amp is "Key Out." The I used LMR 400 to the new tuner, Palstar AT2KD. From the tuner, I use LMR 400 to a fan dipole. I tuned the tuner yesterday and recorded the tuner settings for the 80, 40 and 20 meter bands. There were a couple of problems. First, the tuner had a manufacturing defect in that the knob for the differential capacitor was not properly attached to control rod for the doble condenser capacitor. After some frustration trying to get a tune, I remove the cover, found and corrected the problem which required only tightening a couple of set screws. Then the first cable from the amp to the tuner had a coupler defect. I replaced the cable and everything then worked fine after that. I only need 11 watts of power on the ICOM 7300 for 500 watts out from the amp. Your video is about 4 hours to late for me but it is still timely! Walt AI7MY
Thanks for that, Dave! I've never run an amp of any kind, so this is all new to me. At some point in the future, could you look into running the increasingly popular, relatively primitive CW kit radios with the small amps sold for that purpose? (The amps are usually kits as well.) From my reading, I see that there are several issues involved, such as absence or presence of a VOX circuit (which of course would be absence in a CW rig), and I'm a bit lost with it all. Like a lot of hams these days I've gone full-time QRP from such a radio, and would love to be able to splice in one of these 15-to-75-odd watt amps when I'm not on the road, but the procedure is a bit daunting for those of us who already don't have experience with amps and more sophisticated rigs. Most of the little CW rigs we use lack the external connections you mention here. Thanks again for another clear video!
Great information as always Dave! Thanks! Just to clarify: Regardless of the watts my radio puts out, my maximum output is the max output of the amplifier? 100 watt radio + 200 watt amplifier = 200 watt max. output.?
When by passing the amp. while amp is on standby, most amplifiers can only stand 100 watts max. On transceivers that output 200 watts you could damage amplifiers on and on standby.
Tuning the tuner while the amp is off? Won't the swr change when the powers added and require an adjustment on the tuner for a flatter swr while transmitting with the tuner.
If you try to tune your antenna with an als-500 or als-600 you run a high risk of blowing the finals due to the impedances and currents flowing back through the PA stage of the amp. Sorry, a year late.
I tried to watch, I really did. The unsteady camera work bothered my gut. Not trying to be critical, just sharing some feedback for the future. I do appreciate your sharing knowledge.
Dave love your Videos! I have herd that MFJ is having trouble getting out- put transistor’s of quality that last! That is these transistors coming from China are not as good as the old Japanese transistors, we are all use too ! JohnBoyUtah KJ7TBR
Appreciate the info working a a galaxy dx base on 11 meter a imax 2000 getting it out with mfj manual tuner but no amp but just curious how if I was too. They call me temperance boy up here in toledo oh peace 527 54 echo on the muddy shores of lake Erie.
Very well explained video. Thank you! I am going to start referring this video to some of the new hams that call up and know absolutely nothing about radio let alone the amps they are trying to blow up.
As a suggestion: You did mention power handling capabilities of the antenna Dave. I have found the weakness in the antenna system can be the BALUN or UNUN that is not built to handle the increased power presented to it by the amplifier. These transformers are not all built the same as it regards power and heat. The torroids or beads or capacitors or wires in the BALUN can be heat soaked and the SWR will begin to "wander" upwards. So transformers are a critical component of the antenna system if you are using wire antennas (which often have a BALUN or UNUN) inline. BALUNS/UNUN's MUST exceed the power handling output of the amplifier just as you mentioned about the tuner. Keep an eye on your antenna tuner's SWR as you transmit and be aware of what the reflected power is while transmitting in "normal" conditions. Lastly, as you add more power to your signal, be aware of RF. Good grounding is very important as the power increases. 73 Art W1SWL
Thanks very much learning to use an amp never have, 45 years
Icom 7300, old heath kit amp sb-230
Dear Sir, thanks for the clear and complete explanation. World class. Thanks for On7dbr in Belgium.
What a timely video!
Just today, I installed an Acom 1200S amplifier to my ICOM7300. It was not quite as straight forward as I thought it would be. I used RG-58 coax to the amp for the RF signal. The transmit signal on the ICOM 7300 is labeled "Send". On the amp, it is called "Key In." The ALC on the amp is "Key Out." The I used LMR 400 to the new tuner, Palstar AT2KD. From the tuner, I use LMR 400 to a fan dipole. I tuned the tuner yesterday and recorded the tuner settings for the 80, 40 and 20 meter bands.
There were a couple of problems. First, the tuner had a manufacturing defect in that the knob for the differential capacitor was not properly attached to control rod for the doble condenser capacitor. After some frustration trying to get a tune, I remove the cover, found and corrected the problem which required only tightening a couple of set screws. Then the first cable from the amp to the tuner had a coupler defect. I replaced the cable and everything then worked fine after that. I only need 11 watts of power on the ICOM 7300 for 500 watts out from the amp.
Your video is about 4 hours to late for me but it is still timely!
Walt AI7MY
Never heard of RG-52
@@davep6977 My Mistake; RG-58. Correction made.
@@davep6977 My Mistake: RG-58. Correction made.
only 11 watts to generate 500 out, wow. Good amp $$
I've always been curious, thanks, goes to show you, they're is always something somebody doesn't know! Thank you
Thanks for that, Dave! I've never run an amp of any kind, so this is all new to me. At some point in the future, could you look into running the increasingly popular, relatively primitive CW kit radios with the small amps sold for that purpose? (The amps are usually kits as well.) From my reading, I see that there are several issues involved, such as absence or presence of a VOX circuit (which of course would be absence in a CW rig), and I'm a bit lost with it all.
Like a lot of hams these days I've gone full-time QRP from such a radio, and would love to be able to splice in one of these 15-to-75-odd watt amps when I'm not on the road, but the procedure is a bit daunting for those of us who already don't have experience with amps and more sophisticated rigs. Most of the little CW rigs we use lack the external connections you mention here.
Thanks again for another clear video!
Yeah, Parteon sounds like Party On!
Does ICOM have an amplifier?? They have had one that has been coming for several years...
My RM Italy KL 503 HD amp does not have ALC and TX connections to the radio, it just have a TX and a ANT SO239 ports, am I missing something?
Great information as always Dave! Thanks! Just to clarify: Regardless of the watts my radio puts out, my maximum output is the max output of the amplifier? 100 watt radio + 200 watt amplifier = 200 watt max. output.?
yes
What about radios that only have one so239 ?
When by passing the amp. while amp is on standby, most amplifiers can only stand 100 watts max. On transceivers that output 200 watts you could damage amplifiers on and on standby.
Don't forget about 9913 coax.
Appreciate the video. 73, AC3HT
Tuning the tuner while the amp is off? Won't the swr change when the powers added and require an adjustment on the tuner for a flatter swr while transmitting with the tuner.
If you try to tune your antenna with an als-500 or als-600 you run a high risk of blowing the finals due to the impedances and currents flowing back through the PA stage of the amp. Sorry, a year late.
Dave hi
Where in this mix shld the watt meter be placed?
Between the amp and tuner OR between the amp and antenna. You want to see what SWR the amp is seeing and what power its putting out.
@@joshjosh6526 Thanku
I tried to watch, I really did. The unsteady camera work bothered my gut. Not trying to be critical, just sharing some feedback for the future. I do appreciate your sharing knowledge.
Dave love your Videos! I have herd that MFJ is having trouble getting out- put transistor’s of quality that last! That is these transistors coming from China are not as good as the old Japanese transistors, we are all use too ! JohnBoyUtah KJ7TBR
How is the flight training coming...
Paul K1YOU
The jerking around the camera is very distracting. Go back to using a tripod and editing the video when you move to another set up. PLEASE!
Noticed your camera is really shaky. Haven’t seen that in your older videos. Maybe go back to using a tripod? It’s distracting.
Also that light above you that reflects in the white board is a little distracting (looks like a single bulb in a keyless fixture)
Need to spell Patreon properly 🙂
Thank you. N0QFT
Appreciate the info working a a galaxy dx base on 11 meter a imax 2000 getting it out with mfj manual tuner but no amp but just curious how if I was too. They call me temperance boy up here in toledo oh peace 527 54 echo on the muddy shores of lake Erie.
Nice overview! de KB3ND
Thanks!