Flex6600 SO2R with 2 amplifiers - SPE 1.3K(on ANT1) and Kenwood TL-922(on ANT2)

NR4O

I am trying to setup SO2R with a Flex6600 and 2 amplifiers.  SPE 1.3K connected to ANT1 and Kenwood TL-922 to ANT2.  I have a USB CAT cable connected between the SPE 1.3K and Flex per the manual.  I've set the source in the CAT setup to TX Antenna/ANT1.  I've got 2 slices on SSDR slice A with ANT1 assigned for RX and TX, slice B with ANT2 assigned for RX and TX. 

I've gone through all the setup procedure for the SPE 1.3K drive settings on each band and all that works fine. 

I am now trying to set the drive power for the TL-922 and the SO2R_TX2 profile using the TX Band Setting menu.  I can select the appropriate RCA_TX2 connector to key TL-922.  But, I am unable to set the power level to an appropriate power level for the band that Slice A happens to be on.  That band reverts to follow the power level that the SPE 1.3K is telling the flex should be the max power.  This is significantly different from the drive needed for the TL-922. 

I was expecting to be able to set the SO2R_TX2 profile completely independently from the SO2R_TX1 profile.  But, it appears that the USB CAT cable data is a global setting applying to both TX profiles. 

How is the CAT cable tracking supposed to work in a SO2R configuration?

Aren't the two SO2R_TX(1 & 2) profiles supposed to be independent of each other? 

I'm sure someone out there is operating 2 different amplifiers, one being a SPE 1.3K and can point me in the right direction for a working configuration.

I've tried to look at other posts related to the SPE 1.3K and SO2R, but didn't find one that answered the question. 

Thanks,
Eric - NR4O

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Hi Eric. I use two OM amplifiers in a SO2R set up like you are trying to do. Are you sure you use two separate panadaptes and not two slices with one panadapter? I make one global profile and call it e g SO2R 20A1 40A2. Then I define a TX1 profile and a TX2 profile. I start at slice A with TX A choosen and save again TX1 profile. Then I press TX2 button and save TX2 profile. To check I press the "pwr/speed" button on the Maestro and switch from slice A to B to confirm that TX 1 profile is switched to TX2. Latter can be done on SSDR as well if you do not use a Maestro. This process I have used on the 6700 and it seems to be doing it on the 6600 as well.

NR4O

Thanks for the reply Kari. Yes, I’m sure I have two panadapters set up. It appears the issue is related to the CAT communication between the SPE amp and the Flex. This is a special function of the USB CAT cable feature. The Flex SW obviously applies the amplifier feedback globally to the transmitter. If I shutoff the digital power control feedback from the SPE amp, I am able to set independent TX power profiles for ANT1/TX1 and ANT2/TX2 in the transmit band panel. So, I am able to get both amps to work. I’m just exposed to the potential of overdriving the SPE amplifier input when switching from low power to high power operations. I’ll have to set up separate profiles and be sure I load the amp configuration when running high power. Just not as convenient as I thought it would be.

Kari Gustafsson SM0HRP

Ok I see.I did not know the SPE amps had this feature. It calls for some intelligent work around that I not see at the moment.