[OKDXA] Linear Amp

[Roger Simpson]

Starting last November I started experiencing erratic behavior on my 
trusty ICOM 756Pro3. It would be OK 99% of the time put sometimes after 
turning the rig on from a cold condition there would be no audio even 
though the display, S meter, memory selection, etc seemed to be working 
OK. I didn't think I could fix this and/or send it to ICOM because by 
the time anyone would try to fix the problem it would be gone.

So I decided to setup my old TS450 (vintage mid 1990s) as a backup rig 
so in case the Pro3 gets sick during the Iran or Navassa operation I 
could still stay on the air. I augmented this with a Ameritron 811H 
linear and a MFJ 989D antenna tuner which I bought new from DX 
Engineering a couple of months ago.

This TS450 / Ameritron 811H / MFJ 989D setup was working FB for a few 
weeks around Christmas. However, the requirement to tune up the AL 811H 
and the 989C on a per band basis was just too much -- considering that 
my main setup IC 765Pro3 / PW1 does an instant QSY from and band/mode to 
any other. For example, for a DXpedition I program memories ahead of 
time on the Pro3. If I want to see what's happening on his QRG for say 
20 meters SSB I select memory 21 [20 SSB] and there I am:  right freq, 
right mode, right antenna, and antenna tuner settings in PW1 [which were 
preset based upon this 100Khz segment of the band] are setup.

So I bought an Ameritron ALS-1306 which is a no-tune solid state linear. 
Later I picked up a used Pro2 with is 99.99% the "same" as a Pro3. I 
picked up the Pro2 for $1200. The Pro2 is more or less "new" even though 
it was first sold in 2003. I find it interesting that the Pro2 was 
originally purchased by a guy in FL from Texas Towers in Plano. My Pro3 
also came from Texas Towers. That was back in the "old days" when TX 
Towers was an ICOM dealer.

So after all of this gyration over here I have a backup station with: 
ICOM 756Pro2 transciever / Ameritron ALS-1306 linear / MFJ989-D tuner.

The Ameritron AL-811H is in the original box over here taking up space. 
I'd like to see that 811H have a nice home. My idea is to give this 
linear away to a new DXer who could put it to good use. The 811H is 
"brand new" except for having been checked out over here and using it 
for maybe a half dozen QSOs. I "installed" 10 meter mod {i.e. cut the 
green wire} on the 811H.

Reply to this thread if you know someone who would put this linear to 
good use. Maybe someone that needs a little boost to work Navassa as an 
ATNO.

Or send me an email at       {     rksimpson1     AT      cox.net   }

=============

BTW, I finally found what the erratic problem was with my ICOM 756Pro3. 
It was a "slightly" flaky connection in the headphone jack on my SP-23 
external speaker that would OCCASIONALLY not make decent contact when 
the my headset was unplugged so the audio signal would not get to the 
speaker.


73        Roger            K5RKS    Oklahoma City OK