[ICOM] Most rugged HF transceivers - TS480HX

[WD8ARZ]

Have been using the TS-480HX 24/7 as a HFN Pilot ALE digital station for
about four years with zero issues. Have recently interfaced RMS Winmor to
work with the ALE scanning system. There are reports from time to time from
users of the SAT version with the tuner having problems, failures and having
the rig sent back for service .... not frequent, not a high rate, but when
problems are reported by users of the TS-480 series, the tuner in my mind
has been one of the more significant items reported.

I would suggest considering the HX version for the two fan cooling capacity
and duty cycle performance. This will help with those long winded Qso's, AM
transmitting operation, and high duty cycle digital modes. Lets dont forget
operation in hot summer time mobile installations where the air flow might
not be the best (such as installed under a seat?). Operate at 100 watts
rather than 200 watts and the efficiency and cooling factor will be even
better.

One of the best high duty cycle ham rigs on the market.

To deal with the need to scan channel in digital modes, I like the computer
interfacing to the LDG AT-200PC as the memory antenna tuning selection can
be selected first by software before transmitting. This way the radio and
tuner relays are not cycling during the time when RF is applied to the tuner
after the first tune up is done and stored in memory. Programs can now tell
the tuner what frequency is going to be transmitted on next and choose that
memory combination before putting out rf. LDG AT-200PC available through
W4RT.
http://www.w4rt.com/LDG/AT-200PC.htm Great price too.

The AT-220PRO is the same auto tuner but no computer interface. Both models
needs to have each frequency you will transmit on trained once, and get
added to the memory of  the unit for that frequency. PC controlled version
means no RF on the relay contacts in the atu as the relay selection process
takes place before transmitting. However, once the PRO is configured, the
exposure time to relay contact operation during RF is very minimal. LDG
AT-200PRO http://www.ldgelectronics.com/c/252/products/1/3/1

Either tuner will operate with out computer control, and both can be placed
closer or at the antenna if proper enclosure is provided.

One of the antenna's I use on the base is a Carolina 10-160 Windom antenna.
Great match with the LDG Tuners, minimal operation required of the tuner
once matched. As a long antenna, it has plenty of lobes and can surprise you
during various band conditions. While many antennas will sometimes beat out
this antenna under some band conditions, the Windom will intern beat out
those same other antennas under other band conditions. For shortwave it is
great as it self tunes as you change frequencies (design of antenna), and
will give a stronger signal with out using a tuner below about 8 mHz or
so... especially when compared to a long wire. On the long wire tune in a
signal say on 80 meters with and with out a tuner. It will tend to be better
with the tuner. Try the same with a Windom. Little if any receive difference
with or with out the tuner in most cases (that has been my experience at
several different qth locations). http://www.radioworks.com/ccw160.html

Many HF rigs use relays for bandpass filter switching, and other tasks.
Unfortunately when changing bands, these relays cycle to the configuration
needed for each band range. When using software to scan the bands, these
relays are being cycled with each band change request from the software.
Some HF rigs allow using a dual VFO mode that the Software can use to scan
in such a way that the band relays are not cycled. Software uses a bandpass
relay selection that allows receiver performance during scanning, but
switches in the relays for band activity and transmitting. This approach
saves relay wear and tear. The TS-480 Series are such radios.

List of Radios for Digital Modes and ALE:
http://hflink.com/hardware/

Several HFN MarsAle Pilot Stations like myself have RMS Winmor linked to our
scanning MarsAle stations cover most all HF ham bands. Once an ALE link is
made, RMS Winmor can be accessed. This scanning and the requirements of ALE
require more of a hf rig than many other digital modes. Turn around time is
important in ALE, and there is a need for an interface that supports that
timing. Hardware PTT is unbeatable with it comes to PTT switching and
keeping the operating system audio off the air. The TS-480 series of radios
already have an excellent digital mode interface connector built in to it.
However to provide further isolation and help protect the internal
components from RFI induced damage, and to keep computer generated audio
from the computer out of the radio transmission, I prefer to use the
RIGblaster Data Jack Plug and Play USB interface with my TS-480HX.
http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/tnc/4746.html

Note: The TS-480 series has an excellent digital interface built in, and
doesnt have to use an external interface to perform digital modes. However
the isolation and additional protection of an external interface helps
reduce hum, feedback loops, and possible RFI damage to components inside the
radio.

73 from Bill - WD8ARZ
http://hflink.net/


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John" <af5cc at fidmail.com>
To: "ICOM Reflector" <icom at mailman.qth.net>; <icomradio at yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 14, 2012 2:40 PM
Subject: [ICOM] Most rugged HF transceivers


>I am interested in what people would consider the most rugged Icom HF or
> HF/VHF transceivers (new or used).  By rugged I mean able to withstand the
> most abuse (environmental, not operator induced).  This would include 
> being
> slapped at times, hit with thrown object, and everything else that might
> occur in a chaotic enviroment.  So, which rigs would withstand this
> environment with the least chance of being damaged?  A low price point
> would also be good in case it was damaged, one would not be out a lot of
> money.
>
> John AF5CC