Getting MEFFA to work with CW

Mark Griffin · January 2022

Guys,

I have been reading chapter 5 of the PGXL manual. It says to set the amplifier to MEFFA and hit tune and adjust power to get the output power that you want. Well, when I hit the Tune Button I only get 10 watts out. And from what I can see, there is no way to adjust the tune output any higher. It say to put the radio in Tune. OK, so I must not understand the Tune Function. To me Tune is hitting the Tune Button. To me, it's better to have the MEFFA function off and I can adjust the input power to the amplifier to get full power output. I wish that someone would do a video that would show the average person how to get MEFFA to work. The Manual is great for having instructions, but there is no step by step help or pictures to show someone how to get this to work. I like my amplifier. But the MEFFA function to me, is worthless.

Mark Griffin, KB3Z

Larry _ NY8T · January 2022

The Tune Button Power Level is adjustable with the slider under the RF Power slider.

Mark Griffin · January 2022

Larry,

Thanks for the picture. So I would have to use SmartSDR to do this? I have the 6400M and didn't know whether there was a way to do this in the menu selections.

Mark KB3Z

Adde Tjernberg · January 2022

Mark,

No you do not need SmartSDR. You can do it from the front on you M also. Setting is under the TX MENU. You access it by pressing the MIC/SPEED knob just above the B-VFO.

73

Mark Griffin · January 2022

Thanks Adde!

Mark Griffin · January 2022

Ok,

I increased the tune using MEFFA and increased my output to 1,440 watts. And that was in CW Mode. But I do notice that when I use my paddle, the power output is about 670 watts. Is this normal? It seems that if I don't use the MEFFA and have my input at 43 or 44 watts, that I get about 1,440 watts output even when using my CW Paddle.

Mark Griffin, KB3Z

Larry _ NY8T · January 2022

Tune is a CW tone for tuning, if your rf power slider is set the same as the tune slider and you have done the MEFFA mutiple key up process with tune to get you amp power output adjusted where you want then it, should be the same with your paddle. You can just as easily use your paddle to adjust your drive for the amp output you want.

Mark Griffin · January 2022

I have been asked by Tech Support for the IDD #'s.

Yet, there is no IDD on my PGXL front screen, or on the PGXL App.

I am running Version 3.6.23

Am I missing something?

Mark Griffin, KB3Z

Larry _ NY8T · January 2022

All I can think of is VDD voltage.

Mark Griffin · January 2022

Larry,

I mentioned to Tech Support that I did not show IDD. He didn't make any further comments about that. It is mentioned in the PGXL Manual. And the manual may not be up to date, and perhaps the Firmware version plays a factor in that.

Thanks!

Mark Griffin, KB3Z

David Decoons, wo2x · January 2022

VDD = DC voltage for LDMOS

ID is the DC current and is read on the bar graph.

Note - I have found the PG XL metering can be a little “sluggish” and it is best to use a good quality peak reading wattmeter such as the meters from Telepost or Power Master 2 and such.

Dave wo2x

Mark Griffin · January 2022

Dave,

My wattmeter is the LP-100A. I haven't updated the firmware in a while, but it has been very reliable.

Mark

Getting MEFFA to work with CW

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