Imported Ham Radios (WAS - Re: [Icom] Relays)

[George, W5YR]

Andy, from what I have read from postings about the infamous relay
question, Icom America takes the position that any of the amplifiers that
they sell will work fine with most if not all of their transceivers.

I guess that they do not feel obliged to design their radios to work with
competing and/or older equipment.

Also, the problem is, I believe, more complex that just the current
capacity of relay contacts. For QSK or even reasonably rapid T/R switching
precautions have to be taken to protect the amplifier from hot switching.
Adding an outboard relay with its added switching time can upset the other
timing elements in the system.

Evidently, many if not most of the "new crop" of amps, especially the top
line models, have been designed for direct interfacing with "most" current
amateur transceivers. Such is only good business as well as good
engineering, since trying to sell an amp that will not readily work with
current radios in favor is an exercise leading to bankruptcy.

I recall that when I built an SB-220 in about 1971 to use with my SB-401
Heathkit transmitter, there was no problem at all in making the two operate
together properly. But, I really doubt that I do that now with the PRO as
the exciter!  <:}

72/73/oo, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas         
Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe   
Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 56th year and it just keeps getting better!
QRP-L 1373 NETXQRP 6 SOC 262 COG 8 FPQRP 404 TEN-X 11771
Icom IC-756PRO #02121  Kachina #91900556  IC-765 #02437

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awallacejr@charter.net wrote:
> 
> Just as a matter of curiosity, just what does a relay to use, say, an 756
> Pro with an Ameritron amp cost to buy or build? And just maybe, are Icom and
> Yaesu trying to encourage you to use one of their amps? I run an Icom 4KL
> with a 756 pro--works just fine with no relays--like having a 1000 watt
> transceiver--totally transparent.
> 
> Andy  K5VM