[ICOM] IC-703 and PSK-31

[Patrick A. Thompson Sr.]

As I understand it, the reason to reduce power is to operate the rig at 
a power level that is highly linear.  Distortion increases at higher 
power levels so most people run about a third of the radios full power 
level, or about 30-40 watts or less for a 100 watt rig. The lower power 
does help preserve the finals.

I'd be tempted to operate the 703 into a dummy load and set up the 706 
to listen with your favorite PSK program set to show IMD.  You would 
need two computers to try this. You might be able to run 10 watts but 
I'd suspect there is a "sweet" spot at some lower power that gives a 
better trade off between power and IMD.

If you choose to try this I'm sure a lot of people would like to know 
the results.

An alternative would be to find a cooperative station when signals are 
good and vary the power while the remote station watches your IMD.

Best of luck!
Pat
wa4tuk

John Hart wrote:
> I just bought an IC-703 Plus and can not find any reference to power 
> levels when running PSK-31 or any other of the digital modes.  I do back 
> down my power when operating PSK-31 on my IC-706MK2G do I have to reduce 
> power on the IC-703?  The duty cycle is high with the digital modes but 
> I would like to think that the finals in the IC-703 running at only 10 
> watts should be able to handle the load.  What do you guys think?
> 
> John, K3KWO
> 
> 
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