Using a Yaesu FL-2100B with my Flex 6400 via Ameritron ARB 704?

Barry Young

Thank you Pete for documenting the setup so well. The only thing I might add is an image for the tuner where it’s connected in the series of radio components . But you covered getting the FL2100B on the air. Maybe you can send your PDF to Flex to put in their document download library.

At full power 600W, no problems with overloading you AC and throwing a breaker??

Again, Nice Work!

Thanks!

Barry Young

Quick question..

if you are testing the amplifier with a dummy load, does it matter which band you are on? Obviously you should match the band the Flex 6400

Thanks!

Ronald Panetta

Band selected on exciter (Flex) must match band selected on amp. Dummy load must be rated for frequency in use, typically not an issue for HF and more a concern in VHF, UHF and microwave. Most dummy loads good for 160M to 10M.

If the amp is used and new to you, you should test on each band and check the SWR the Flex sees to the input of the amp (with amp in operate mode otherwise the Flex will be looking into the antenna). It should be within the specs published fir the amp. I have worked on some maps where the previous owner tweaked (aka messed up) some of the input coils resulting in high SWR to throw exciter. Think 11M band.

Depending on how thorough you want to be in your testing, you may want measure the amp output on each band and compare against manufacturer specs. Most will have max output on the lower bands and power iut will diminish somewhat on he higher bands (aka higher frequencies).

PeteP

Glad to be of 'some' help, I certainly don't know everything here...hi-hi

As I said not using a tuner as the SteppIR Urbanbeam tunes itself.

Note: What I've learned about tuners...If tuner at radio you're tuning the wire to the antenna. If tuner at the antenna then tuning what you want.

73 Barry

PeteP

Oops missed another question,

pushing 500 watts all day and no breakers tripped nor any other overload issues.

Talked to Chile today from here in Alaska using this setup.

Barry Young

Awesome Pete!

Thanks again for all your work on the...

Take care!

Barry Young

I want to confirm one more thing Pete, or anyone...

Do I need to connect the ARB 704 ALC to the ALC on the FL2100B??

I believe Pete mentioned he could not get it to work without the ALC connected from the ARB704 to the FL2100B??

Pete can you confirm as this is CRITICALi?

Thanks!

PeteP

I could not get amp to key up w/o use of the ALC. Plug it in and off it went, just fine so I'm leaving connected until I learn some other way.

Barry Young

Awesome Pete.

I noticed in the instruction manual that the FL2100B has to be grounded. My house has septic and well, it has been converted to city water, sewer and gas. But the utility company will not identify any piping from septic and well. And you have to pound a copper rod 8 feet into the ground. They have electronic devices that can detect the location and depth of any piping and other objects, but they are about $120 a day to rent...

The FL2100B I need to ground, correct?

Thanks

PeteP

The ground is the wingnut device center bottom. It takes extraneous current from chassis to ground. The voltages we're talking about, I'd find a way to ground it.

Not saying it's a great solution but, look at where your utilities enter the house and put a rod down away from them a couple feet from the house. Not a great solution but better than nothing.

Barry Young

Wow there is a huge debate about grounding in the ham community..

check out this thread I started on QRZ

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/fl-2100b-amplifier-grounding.752924/

Thanks.

John KB4DU

True. ARRL engineers tell us there is no such thing as a RF ground. A safety ground for the human touchable cabinet should be provided by the power wiring (usually green wire). I use the grounding lug for bonding the various pieces of equipment together right or wrong, depends on who is speaking. Lightning protection is a separate major topic.