[ICOM] PW-1 Problems and a solution

[Ken Kinyon]

Hi Tony and all,
There is another aspect of this that I have noticed recently in postings to many
lists.
Granted transistors seem to be more susceptible to damage from high SWR than
vacuum tubes.
However there seems to a tendency on the part of hams to use the built in tuner
all the time even when the feed line SWR is low.
I never use the  tuner in the 756ProII or pw-1 if the SWR is less than 2:1.  In
my opinion the heat generated by the power wasted in the tuner circuits is more
damaging than slightly more than 1:1 SWR.  Perhaps I am a dinosaur and I am
prepared for the ensuing bombardment, but I believe more effort should be made
to keep the SWR at the end of the feed line at a reasonable effort and that
tuners should be used less.  And yes, I know that the tuner will narrow the band
width of the interference that the receiver is subjected to, but I don't believe
that most hams live in that sort of an RF environment.
73,
Ken W7TS
>-----Original Message-----
>From: icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net
>[mailto:icom-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Tony Visco
>Sent: Saturday, March 25, 2006 7:47 A
>To: 'ICOM Reflector'
>Subject: RE: [ICOM] PW-1 Problems and a solution
>
>
>
>Hello Fellow Hams,
>
>As usual, the learning process continues.  My PW-1 is on its way home from
>the Icom Headquarters after being repaired - Power Amp failure.
>
>His recommendation, use the PW-1 tuner only and not the exciter when the
>PW-1 is on.  Duh - go figure.  Makes sense to me, but I am a little
>disappointed that there absolutely no information in either manual to
>express this feature or caution for proper operation.  Some of you may
>consider this a common sense thing, but I bet there is a bunch of you out
>there that are doing the same thing.
>
>Anyway, that is my confession for today - I will always admit to my
>mistakes. Ham radio is still a fun hobby even if it costs a little for
>repairs.
>
>Tony W3EW
>
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