[1000mp] Mark V ALC Reading

[John Rippey]

Today I talked with a technician at Yaesu about the ALC reading I get with 
my Mark V on CW. It turns out that when the Mark V is properly matched to 
an antenna and is operating at full power (200 watts) the ALC reading 
almost exactly matches the red bar on the ALC/Comp meter. However, reducing 
power makes the ALC reading rise beyond the red bar and below 100 watts it 
will go off scale--like hitting the pin on an analog meter. I didn't like 
what I was seeing at less than 100 watts output, but the technician said 
this is normal--that's what the ALC is supposed to do. He said it will not 
harm the transmitter to have such a reading BUT it may result in 
distortion. In the case of CW, this would show up as a raspy tone.

So it looks like the Mark V is happiest when its final is operating at 
between 100-200 watts and things begin to falter when output power is 
significantly reduced. I'm not complaining. I also own a Ten-Tec Argonaut V.

Comments, anyone?

73,
John, W3ULS