ICOM 718 low power output

[KE3LB]

I have a icom 718 served me well the past 7 yrs no problems but just recently I set it up on psk31 works great but now it seems that when I go back to voice  mode the power output  only peaks at about 60 watts always use to do 100 watts the setting is on high power in the menu could I have damaged something inside running psk31? Thanks for any help 73

[W8JX]

Were you running PSK at full power?

[N4CR]

How much power out on CW?

[M5AEO]

I think this may be an IC718 thing........I've never managed to get more than 80 watts out of mine!

[AD7VB]

Never been a problem here. Did you adjust the mic gain down when you were running PSK?
I've also found it works much better to turn on compresion when running voice on this radio.
Using a Icom HM-23 mic I run a mic gain setting of around 25.
Kick it over to the CW setting and see what kind of power you get into a dummy load.
If you do not have a peak reading watt meter you will never see 100 watts out on SSB.
My power reading on a LDG antenna tuner reads 100 watts on peaks while the radio power meter shows 60 to 70 out.

73,
Todd
AD7VB

[KE3LB]

Thanks for all the replys I run 100 watts on psk and turn the power on the signal link to keep it at 25 to 40 watts but the radio is set on high power but adjust the signallink tx dial to tune power down to 25 to 40 watts also comp off and alc to zero.Ok now in rtty into dummy load it reads 65 watts and the mfj 969 roller inductor tuner has a peak reading I know with the comp on and alc adjusted Iwas peaking 100 watts on the 20 meter band no problem but after using the rig on psk for about 4 months noticed im not getting my peaks of 100 watts on ssb also the power meter in the radio is reading 65 watts just like the mfj tuner meter and I have the menu set for high  power, if the power amplifer in the radio goes bad dont  you lose all power out  or just half not sure, if  I should  send it in for repairs  or just  use it on psk and pick up a ic7200 that I can use with my computer and have a computer controlled rig and have a take along rig thats good for outdoor use any opinions appreciated.

[VE3FMC]

Thanks for all the replys I run 100 watts on psk and turn the power on the signal link to keep it at 25 to 40 watts but the radio is set on high power but adjust the signallink tx dial to tune power down to 25 to 40 watts also comp off and alc to zero.Ok now in rtty into dummy load it reads 65 watts and the mfj 969 roller inductor tuner has a peak reading I know with the comp on and alc adjusted Iwas peaking 100 watts on the 20 meter band no problem but after using the rig on psk for about 4 months noticed im not getting my peaks of 100 watts on ssb also the power meter in the radio is reading 65 watts just like the mfj tuner meter and I have the menu set for high  power, if the power amplifer in the radio goes bad dont  you lose all power out  or just half not sure, if  I should  send it in for repairs  or just  use it on psk and pick up a ic7200 that I can use with my computer and have a computer controlled rig and have a take along rig thats good for outdoor use any opinions appreciated.

I had an Icom 718 and ran it on digital modes for two years and never had any issues with it on SSB. Same goes for an Icom 7000 and my current rig, FT-950.

Have you changed the mic gain setting? That would greatly effect your PEP output on SSB.

I really doubt running 25 watts PEP on PSK31 would damage the radio.

Rick VE3FMC

[W8JX]

I think finals are soft. Not sure why you would set power level to 100 watts and try to keep power output down by reducing audio input. I always use power control of rig to set output power. I am not sure if finals are less efficient when run this way causing them to run warmer than normal.  PSK is considered a 100% duty cycle mode and some rigs can get pretty warm.

[AC8KR]

Not sure why you would set power level to 100 watts and try to keep power output down by reducing audio input.

I'm curious about this, too, since I'm about to try PSK31 on my 718. I keep reading that running full power in the radio and adjusting the output in the software or on the SignaLink is the right way to do it but I haven't seen an explanation as to why. I want, obviously, things to work right and not cause any damage.

[AD7VB]

I think it's because the 718 uses the alc circuit to limit the power when you change it in the menu.
Things worked much better for me when I left the power at 100 percent and just adjusted the audio
to control power. Don't know how other radios work as the 718 is my first and only HF radio.

Todd
AD7VB

[KE3LB]

Well my 718 is still working  using ssb still get good reports overseas maybe the finals are getting soft but still transmiting fine for dxing, oh well i will have to wait and see I guess I know I was working it pretty much the past 4 months on psk cause it was a new mode for me was having a great time making qso s on psk collected 32 countries and 30 states on psk in the past 4 months so I will just wait and see what happens.Thanks for everyones help 73

[AC8KR]

Thanks, Todd. Makes sense. Looking forward to getting my SignaLink and having fun playing with this. And glad the OP's radio seems to be working okay.

[VE3FMC]

I think finals are soft. Not sure why you would set power level to 100 watts and try to keep power output down by reducing audio input. I always use power control of rig to set output power. I am not sure if finals are less efficient when run this way causing them to run warmer than normal.  PSK is considered a 100% duty cycle mode and some rigs can get pretty warm.

I have always set the power level at 100 watts on the three different rigs I have used to operate digital.

Then I adjust the TX gain on the SignaLink USB so the radio output is 5-25 watts. No ALC reading at all. Clean signal and my radio stays cool. When I used my Icom 7000 for digital modes I never had any issues with the radio heating up to the point where I would worry about it. Again I set the radio power level to 100 watts and used the TX gain to lower the output.

From what I have read from the many digital ops, they all say to control the output with the sound card and set the rig at 100 watts.

Either way, as long as you have a good clean signal then keep doing what you are doing.

But I still find it hard to fathom that operating digital modes for a month or so has softened the finals in that IC 718. Maybe the PS is acting up. At lower digital power the op might not notice any PS issues. When he tries to run 100 watts he has a problem.

I can not remember what the fuse holders are on the 718. If they are the blade type I would be checking those fuses. I had that problem with my IC 7000, took the fuses out, cleaned them and put them back in and the power came right back up to 100 watts. Highly recommended that those fuses be changed for normal fuse holders as others have had the same problem.

[W8JX]

I have always set the power level at 100 watts on the three different rigs I have used to operate digital.

Then I adjust the TX gain on the SignaLink USB so the radio output is 5-25 watts. No ALC reading at all. Clean signal and my radio stays cool. When I used my Icom 7000 for digital modes I never had any issues with the radio heating up to the point where I would worry about it. Again I set the radio power level to 100 watts and used the TX gain to lower the output.

From what I have read from the many digital ops, they all say to control the output with the sound card and set the rig at 100 watts.

This is not the proper way because your "clean signal" is in effect under modulated. You set proper AF drive level you can adjust power to any output you want from 5 watts to 100 and not need to readjust audio. If this is a popular practice this is the first i ever heard anyone doing it. It would be interesting to test signal developed both ways for cleanliness and modulation/loudness. I normally run 20 watts but when I need more or less I change power level control and not audio drive.  I set my audio levels and forget them.

[AK7V]

I also leave my rig's output power at 100% and reduce my TX audio level to change RF output.  Never had any problems.  Don't have to worry about ALC and don't have to change my output power knob when I go back to CW.