Re: [Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-09 Thread AE7AP 
I have an AH-4 that I have been considering interfacing with my K3s.  This
website has lots of good information regarding the signalling to/from it:

https://www.hamoperator.com/Hamoperator/AH-4_General_Information.html

I have used my AH-4 pretty hard for 8-years (with an IC-7000).  It seems to
tune practically anything & never misses a beat - I really like it.

73,
Rob - AE7AP





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Re: [Elecraft] Icom Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-09 Thread Michael Walker 
It is all automatic.  AM, RTTY or CW.  Any constant carrier mode.  It will
also tune on SSB voice if you wish, but that isn't the best.  The processor
does a frequency analysis and tunes accordingly.

It is well outlined here on SGC's web site.

http://www.sgcworld.com/SideAd06.html and
http://www.sgcworld.com/generalsmartFAQ.html

These are not hobby grade tuners like ham ones we use (Icom, Kenwood, Yaesu
or even LDG).  These are commercial and military grade tuners.

I have used 4 of them on and off over the years when I need a tuner.
However, today, I only use resonant antennas and eliminate the need for a
tuner.

I have 1 SGC259 as a spare in case I need it for an emergency.  It is on my
2nd antenna port on my flex radio at my remote base.
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1509

http://www.sgcworld.com/239ProductPage.html

There is an SGC user group you can join.  Most of the Marine guys use them
as well.

Mike va3mw


On Sun, Apr 9, 2017 at 10:11 AM, Jim Allen  wrote:

> How does the SGC tuner know whether you are sending a signal to tune or to
> radiate?
>
> Why must it be AM?
>
> 73 Jim Allen W6OGC
>
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
> On Apr 9, 2017, at 06:16, Michael Walker  wrote:
>
> You may want to also look at the SGC Tuners.  Far superior to the Icom.
> You can just send it an low power AM signal and it will tune.
>
> I have used them in cars and many temporary installations and they 'just
> work'.
>
> http://www.sgcworld.com/
>
> Mike
>
> On Sat, Apr 8, 2017 at 8:36 PM, Jim Allen  wrote:
>
>> > I am looking at remote antenna tuners. I have seen several controllers
>> for the ICOM AH-4 tuner. My questions are about operation with a K3s.
>> > 1.Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the
>> AH-4 via the K3s Tune button?
>> > 2.All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean
>> 0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
>> > 3.When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF
>> or the momentary be terminated immediately?
>> > 4.Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage
>> the AH-4?
>> > I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some
>> months, and then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work
>> at all. That makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4
>> gets excellent reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM
>> rig control.
>> I have used an AH-4 for many years, with a 706MKIIG and with various
>> other manufacturer's radios, including now a K2.  Other than the limitation
>> to ~125 watts, these are excellent.  I only run 5 watts so it is not an
>> issue.  I do not recall a situation where the AH-4 would not give a useable
>> match, provided I provided it a plausible antenna.  I use a separate
>> SWR/watt meter that shows it working.
>>
>> The momentary switch  is push on, release off, no time specified.
>> Pushing the button signals the AH-4 to run through its paces for a match.
>> Most often, it is very quick.  Occasionally, when you have gone from, say,
>> 15M to 80M, it might take a little longer, but never more than several
>> seconds.  If no match can be found, it just stops.  Either way, you stop
>> the power. I wouldn't let it just run like that, but have never heard of
>> damage because of it.  You need to reduce power with non-Icom rigs that
>> don't do it automatically.
>>
>> You might join the Icom tuner Yahoo group, if you can stand Yahoo.  Lots
>> of user experience there.
>>
>> I've never seen a store bought controller for the AH-4.  Where have you
>> seen them?
>> 73 Jim Allen W6OGC
>>
>> Sent from my iPad
>> __
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>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to va...@portcredit.net
>>
>
>
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Re: [Elecraft] Icom Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-09 Thread Michael Walker 
You may want to also look at the SGC Tuners.  Far superior to the Icom.
You can just send it an low power AM signal and it will tune.

I have used them in cars and many temporary installations and they 'just
work'.

http://www.sgcworld.com/

Mike

On Sat, Apr 8, 2017 at 8:36 PM, Jim Allen  wrote:

> > I am looking at remote antenna tuners. I have seen several controllers
> for the ICOM AH-4 tuner. My questions are about operation with a K3s.
> > 1.Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the
> AH-4 via the K3s Tune button?
> > 2.All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean
> 0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
> > 3.When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF
> or the momentary be terminated immediately?
> > 4.Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage
> the AH-4?
> > I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some
> months, and then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work
> at all. That makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4
> gets excellent reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM
> rig control.
> I have used an AH-4 for many years, with a 706MKIIG and with various other
> manufacturer's radios, including now a K2.  Other than the limitation to
> ~125 watts, these are excellent.  I only run 5 watts so it is not an
> issue.  I do not recall a situation where the AH-4 would not give a useable
> match, provided I provided it a plausible antenna.  I use a separate
> SWR/watt meter that shows it working.
>
> The momentary switch  is push on, release off, no time specified.  Pushing
> the button signals the AH-4 to run through its paces for a match.  Most
> often, it is very quick.  Occasionally, when you have gone from, say, 15M
> to 80M, it might take a little longer, but never more than several
> seconds.  If no match can be found, it just stops.  Either way, you stop
> the power. I wouldn't let it just run like that, but have never heard of
> damage because of it.  You need to reduce power with non-Icom rigs that
> don't do it automatically.
>
> You might join the Icom tuner Yahoo group, if you can stand Yahoo.  Lots
> of user experience there.
>
> I've never seen a store bought controller for the AH-4.  Where have you
> seen them?
> 73 Jim Allen W6OGC
>
> Sent from my iPad
> __
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> Message delivered to va...@portcredit.net
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Re: [Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-08 Thread Barry 
Yes, that is correct. Just feed it some RF and if the SWR is above 
1.5:1, if memory serves, it starts to find a solution that yields a low 
SWR.


73,
Barry
K3NDM

-- Original Message --
From: "Harry Yingst via Elecraft" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net>
To: "John Pierce" <ja-pie...@verizon.net>; "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" 
<elecraft@mailman.qth.net>

Sent: 4/8/2017 7:30:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner


I used to run the SGC-230 tuner at the base of my antenna.

As I recall it has a auto mode that does not require a tuning circuit






  From: John Pierce <ja-pie...@verizon.net>
 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Sent: Saturday, April 8, 2017 5:24 PM
 Subject: [Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner

I am looking at remote antenna tuners.  I have seen several controllers 
for

the ICOM AH-4 tuner.  My questions are about operation with a K3s.
1.Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the 
AH-4

via the K3s Tune button?
2.All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean
0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
3.When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF 
or

the momentary be terminated immediately?
4.Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage 
the

AH-4?

I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some 
months,
and then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work at 
all.

That makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4 gets
excellent reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM rig
control.

John, AD2F


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Re: [Elecraft] Icom Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-08 Thread Jim Allen 
> I am looking at remote antenna tuners. I have seen several controllers for 
> the ICOM AH-4 tuner. My questions are about operation with a K3s.
> 1.Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the AH-4 via 
> the K3s Tune button?
> 2.All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean 
> 0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
> 3.When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF or 
> the momentary be terminated immediately?
> 4.Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage the 
> AH-4?
> I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some months, and 
> then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work at all. That 
> makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4 gets excellent 
> reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM rig control.
I have used an AH-4 for many years, with a 706MKIIG and with various other 
manufacturer's radios, including now a K2.  Other than the limitation to ~125 
watts, these are excellent.  I only run 5 watts so it is not an issue.  I do 
not recall a situation where the AH-4 would not give a useable match, provided 
I provided it a plausible antenna.  I use a separate SWR/watt meter that shows 
it working.

The momentary switch  is push on, release off, no time specified.  Pushing the 
button signals the AH-4 to run through its paces for a match.  Most often, it 
is very quick.  Occasionally, when you have gone from, say, 15M to 80M, it 
might take a little longer, but never more than several seconds.  If no match 
can be found, it just stops.  Either way, you stop the power. I wouldn't let it 
just run like that, but have never heard of damage because of it.  You need to 
reduce power with non-Icom rigs that don't do it automatically.

You might join the Icom tuner Yahoo group, if you can stand Yahoo.  Lots of 
user experience there.

I've never seen a store bought controller for the AH-4.  Where have you seen 
them?
73 Jim Allen W6OGC 

Sent from my iPad
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Re: [Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-08 Thread Harry Yingst via Elecraft 
I used to run the SGC-230 tuner at the base of my antenna.

As I recall it has a auto mode that does not require a tuning circuit






  From: John Pierce <ja-pie...@verizon.net>
 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 
 Sent: Saturday, April 8, 2017 5:24 PM
 Subject: [Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner
   
I am looking at remote antenna tuners.  I have seen several controllers for
the ICOM AH-4 tuner.  My questions are about operation with a K3s.
1.    Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the AH-4
via the K3s Tune button?
2.    All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean
0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
3.    When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF or
the momentary be terminated immediately?
4.    Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage the
AH-4?

I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some months,
and then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work at all.
That makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4 gets
excellent reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM rig
control.

John, AD2F

   
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Re: [Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-08 Thread Bill Johnson 
John, I have used both MFJ 993 and 998 successfully.  I have 12v for them and 
send one coax to them.   I don't rely on anything but sending 10 watts via K3, 
etc., to the tuner and await the OK SWR to reflect on my W2 wattmeter.  I 
currently only have the 998 in service.  I prefer the 993 as it takes less 
power to tune.  I am going to sell my 993 as it handles only 300 watts.  I send 
out 500 so cannot use it.  Hope this helps.

73,
Bill
K9YEQ

-Original Message-
From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John 
Pierce
Sent: Saturday, April 8, 2017 4:22 PM
To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner

I am looking at remote antenna tuners.  I have seen several controllers for the 
ICOM AH-4 tuner.  My questions are about operation with a K3s.
1.  Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the AH-4
via the K3s Tune button?
2.  All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean
0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
3.  When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF or
the momentary be terminated immediately?
4.  Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage the
AH-4?

I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some months, and 
then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work at all.
That makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4 gets excellent 
reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM rig control.

John, AD2F
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[Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-08 Thread John Pierce 
I am looking at remote antenna tuners.  I have seen several controllers for
the ICOM AH-4 tuner.  My questions are about operation with a K3s.
1.  Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the AH-4
via the K3s Tune button?
2.  All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean
0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
3.  When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF or
the momentary be terminated immediately?
4.  Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage the
AH-4?

I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some months,
and then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work at all.
That makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4 gets
excellent reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM rig
control.

John, AD2F
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[Elecraft] ICOM Remote Antenna Tuner

2017-04-08 Thread John Pierce 
I am looking at remote antenna tuners.  I have seen several controllers for
the ICOM AH-4 tuner.  My questions are about operation with a K3s.
1.  Is there a limit to the time that 10w of RF can be sent to the AH-4
via the K3s Tune button?
2.  All circuits specify a momentary switch, but does momentary mean
0.1sec, 1.0sec or 5seconds? Does the time matter?
3.  When the complete signal returns from the AH-4 should the Tune RF or
the momentary be terminated immediately?
4.  Is there a combination of momentary or Tune RF that will damage the
AH-4?

I have an AH-4 which worked with a home built controller for some months,
and then became operationally intermittent and final fails to work at all.
That makes me gun-shy, about buying another even though the AH-4 gets
excellent reviews on eHam, almost all of which are based on an ICOM rig
control.

John, AD2F
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