QSO with Micro PA50+ Amplifier ICOM 705

[@jayd8935]

Thank you for showing that test, very interesting. Please keep making videos too :) 73 from a newly subscribed VK3 (QTH maidenhead QF22le) (For chipmonks, it might be easier for you to short press the RIT button just under the multi-knob then twiddling the multiknob to dial them in, long press for XIT if you're the chipmonk in a net)

[@HamRadioRocks]

Thank you for watching and commenting! There is so much to this radio I still need to learn. 73!

[@chuckp3739]

Great rig and amp, have fun.

[@HamRadioRocks]

It sure is! 🙂 73

[@istvanszabo8698]

Will there be a version covers 6m?

[@Tokyo1991.JL1AJE]

How are your longer term usage reports on SSB audio quality? Are you using it stock or have you adjusted the Mosfet gate drive? I Have one but as I'm still going through the convoluted process of getting licensed in Japan it is getting modded (BNC conversion) and tweaked rather than put on the air.

[@HamRadioRocks]

I have not used it much since this video. I will post another video and try to get some sound recordings from someone or record from an online SDR. I am using it stock. How much more power can it drive modified?

[@Tokyo1991.JL1AJE]

@@HamRadioRocks apologies for the slow reply. As regards the drive, people are adjusting it to improve performance (reduce spurious/harmonics, improve audio clarity) which results in a small loss in output power. You have to remember that there is very little real world difference between say 50W and 40W. As an aside, the/my rule of thumb when considering more power is 4x. If you have a 10W device aim for 40W or more in your PA. If you had a 50W rig and assuming you are appropriately licensed you'd aim for 200W. The idea being that investing in a PA that does not give you a 4x improvement is not very cost effective when considering the performance gain.

[@pnwgeek]

My PA 50+ does not work on 30m or 15m. Says "BYP" in the upper right. Is running 2.8.5. Anyone else experience this or have a fix?

[@pnwgeek]

I figured it out. There is a multi-click option that is missing from every manual I can find, that is for "30/15m Open/Close". This comes up after 8 clicks. Do the 8 clicks until it says "open". Then power the amp off and back on. This seems to enable/disable 30m and 15m operation. Same as for the 7 click menu option for "17m/15m SWR On/Off". No mention in the manuals, but turns the SWR meter on and off for 17 and 15m (no power cycle needed).