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How to key full output power for adjustments?

VE7ATJ_Don
VE7ATJ_Don Member ✭✭✭✭
in SmartSDR for Windows

Hi guys... sorry if this is a 'newbie' question, but I've checked the SmartSDR manual and a quick search of the forum and I can't find a definitive simple answer.

I have an older ICOM linear amp (IC-2KL) which needs full power output from the Flex (6500) in order to adjust the ALC level into the amp. (Yea, I know, newer amps don't need the ALC, but as I say, it's an old one I've inherited)

How do I 'key' the Flex to produce 80 to 100W output so I can adjust the amp's ALC control? I thought of AM or FM, but that only puts out about 25W -- not enough to drive the amp. DIGU/L + MOX button seems to need some sort of modulation. Same with CW mode.

I don't have a straight key, so the best I could maybe do is slow down the keyer to 10wpm and produce dashes, but that's less than ideal.

Am I missing something?

Thanks.

Answers

  • VE7ATJ_Don
    VE7ATJ_Don Member ✭✭✭✭

    Hmmm... I think I may have just solved my own question....

    If I up the TUNE power slider and press the TUNE button, that should do the trick, right?

  • John KB4DU
    John KB4DU Member ✭✭✭✭

    Set the tune power to 80 watts or whatever in the radio settings menu. Then the tune button will produce the desired power

  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    HI Don, that is what the Tune button is for. You can adjust it from 0 to 100 %. It is mode independent, so you don't have to change modes to use it.

    image.png

    I don't think that the amp needs ALC, it is the mechanism designed to adjust RF output from the rig. Older rigs need ALC to keep them from overshooting and damaging the amp or splattering. Since the Flex operates with virtually no overshoot and can control itself very precisely using the RF Power slider, you don't really need ALC. I don't think it will hurt anything, but be sure that your primary method for limiting RF to the amp is the RF Power control. In other words, don't crank up the power and rely on the ALC to pull it back.

  • VE7ATJ_Don
    VE7ATJ_Don Member ✭✭✭✭

    Thanks guys... much appreciated. The user manual for the amp says it won't work without ALC, so I've got it connected and turned on in the TX Band settings. First try, the amp is kicking into 'protected mode' immediately, so I'll keep playing :-)

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