Increasing the number of antenna ports in Power Genius

Bill -VA3WTB

You cooked your PGXL amp?

W2PP

No sorry my antenna Genius. Apologies still ticked about it.

Russ K5OA

So the antenna genius put all antennas to ground if communication lost or power lost to this unit, that is the 12 volts?

W2PP

That’s correct

KF4HR

PG has only two antenna ports which is rather disappointing for an amplifier in this price range.  Due to a high cost, I do not plan to buy an Antenna Genius and look for other options,... Can someone offer some practical solutions?

Sure.  When it becomes available, add the 8x2 4o3A Antenna Switcher: http://www.4o3a.com/products/antenna-switchers/6x2-antenna-switcher/

W2PP

Did you see my post above? Mine fried itself....AG..... I’ve ordered the DXE switch which is bulletproof.

KF4HR

Peter - were you using the 8x2 Antenna Switcher (replacement for the 6x2)?  I didn't realize it had been released yet. 

David - yes, I realize the PG-XL only has the ability to transmit on one band at a time.  What I'm curious about is, if the IN/OUT A connections are  selected for amplification, do the IN/OUT B connections provide a pass-thru?  If so, a 2nd slice could take advantage of the B antenna connection.  

David Decoons, wo2x

With proper filtering/antenna separation you can receive on B while TX’ing QRO on A. Dave wo2x

W2PP

Isolation wasn’t the issue. The 8x2 had a LAN connection and RFI caused it to drop comm during transmission and fried the A port despite ferrite beads

Patrick

I had PG amp on order, but no matter how I did it, I could not justify the extra cost to achieve what needs I have. So canceled. Even with a free tuner there were extra cost. I am interested in efficiency of operation. My station is a lot like the cockpit of a modern jet. In order to keep my objective realistic, my solution was the Expert 2K-FA. Built in tuner and six port antenna switch. I know what your going to say, what about that extra power on rtty, or FT8? Not enough difference to make a difference in non contest conditions. I don’t do contests. Don’t need continuous 1.5k. The 2K was less expensive and included a very good tuner and six very versatile ports. So in a nut shell cost and a tuner (vapor ware at this point) was the straw that broke the camels back. I am sure ithe PG will be a very good amp, but I could not justify the extra cost.

Bill -VA3WTB

They will sell a tone of them to stations that demand highest performance no holds bared. For the average guy, that is a lot of amp.

Patrick

Hi Bill, could you define “they” as it would help me understand your post. Thanks... Pat

Alan C

I'm guessing he meant "a ton" - not tone. 'They' meaning FlexRadio?

KF4HR

Peter were you able to find a DXE Switch that functioned the same way as the AG Switch? (2x8)

KF4HR

" So in a nut shell cost and a tuner (vapor ware at this point) was the straw that broke the camels back. I am sure ithe PG will be a very good amp, but I could not justify the extra cost....I am sure ithe PG will be a very good amp, but I could not justify the extra cost."

I was on the fence between the 2K-FA and PG-XL as well.  As for price, prior to the PG-XL being introduced I seem to remember the 2K-FA costing approximately $6k or about $1k less than the PG-XL but now there's only a $304 dollar difference, which is trivial considering the price of these amplifiers.

Not having an ATU built into the PG-XL wasn't a concern for me because I own a legal limit+ auto tuner and a self-tuning SteppIR yagi but I do wish the PG-XL had 6 built-in output ports, although external switching options are available.

The biggest drawback I see to the PG-XL (and why I'm occasionally tempted to cancel my PG-XL and order a 2K-FA), is not knowing how long the PG-XL wait time will be.