[Kenwood] TS-850 ALC action above 21 MHz

Mon, 25 Feb 2002 09:56:28 -0600

ALC = Automatic Level Control

ALC is an indication of how much the radio has to turn down the gain in the
IF to maintain a predetermined level (100 watts in this case). The higher
the ALC reading the more the gain is being reduced in the IF strip to
maintain 100 watts without going over. Most radios are less efficient at
higher frequencies and need more drive to reach a certain level at where the
ALC starts working (turning it down). Thats why if you reduce the power
control you will start getting ALC reading. You won't get more power out,
just a reading showing it's cutting back.

In your case something is wrong. The 850 will maintain full scale ALC
reading (100W) on all bands with the carrier control from 9-12 o'clock.
Lower bands 9 and upper ~12.

Clif Holland, KA5IPF
AVVid
Authorized Kenwood and Icom Amateur Service
www.avvid.com
1-800-214-5779

----- Original Message -----
From: "Clark Savage Turner" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, February 25, 2002 9:37 AM
Subject: [Kenwood] TS-850 ALC action above 21 MHz

> The higher bands have been hot lately, so I've been going up there doing
> some CW.  I notice that I need to bring my carrier control way up at full
> power to get much ALC action.  In fact, on 15 meters, I need to scale back
> my power control (to just under 100 watts on my wattmeter, fwiw) in order
> to use the carrier control to bring the ALC into reasonable range on CW.
> I don't really mind, it all seems to work OK on that basis.  I recall
> this was "normal" on my several TS 440's, on the high bands the
> carrier had to be brought way up and even then ALC action was minimal.  I
> am curious, does anyone know why this happens and is it really normal?
>
> Clark
> WA3JPG
>
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