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Aurora or 8600?

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Nick
Nick Member ✭✭
in Aurora

I currently have one of the first 6500s. It still works perfectly, but it is getting old and I'd like to put it on the shelf. I also have the Genius antenna tuner and an ACOM 700s solid state amplifier. I enjoy playing around with different antenna types and configurations (I live in an HOA house). I'm trying to decide between the new Aurora and a new 8600. The Aurora sounds like the next evolution in radios, but I understand that it is very sensitive to SWR and user mistakes. Given my interest in playing with the antenna half of the station, which would be the better upgrade for me? Would the Genius antenna tuner work with the Aurora and keep me somewhat protected from my experiments? Any comments appreciated.

Nick, W5XR

Answers

  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    Options

    Hi Nick,

    I’ll chime in with some info. The protection circuitry on the Aurora is very fast and also very sensitive to the actual reactance impedance of the load.

    In helping customers with Aurora radios and TG XL tuners here’s a couple of tips.

    First, tune power should be set to 3 (15 watts). This disables the protection circuitry while performing a tune cycle.

    Second, if the reactance is too low (the X of R & X measurements on antenna analyzer), the Aurora will fault, even with tune power at 3. A few customers were able to raise the reactance impedance by adding coax between the radio and TG XL, allowing it to work in n non-resonant antennas.

    I do have an 8600/PG XL and AU510 on the TG XL and I had issues tuning on a couple of bands where SWR was greater than 3:1 and reactance was less than 20 Ohms. I added 25 feet of RG213 between the Aurora and LP700 sensor and everything works fine now.

    Another thing to consider is since you own an amp that can follow the radio band and frequency info with a USB cable to back of the radio, the 8000 series radio may be a less expensive choice (not sure what the Acom 700 would get you on the resale market).

    73 Dave wo2x

  • Mark_WS7M
    Mark_WS7M Member ✭✭✭
    Options

    Nick,

    Also an HOA person here. Aurora has no issues with internal tuner tuning my 80m loop on 80 through 6m.

    I also have a TGXL but I have not tried to run Aurora through it.

    One reason I bought Aurora is I do plan to take it to POTA outings. Having more then 100w on a POTA at times can really help.

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