Thanks for letting me know that's normal operation for the s-meter to raise when the RF gain is turned down. I never turned down my gain on my FT-620B, and I just got this radio in a yard sale for $100, so I think I did ok...

Thanks for the replies. I have cleaned the contacts, and rapped on relays (while monitoring a strong signal) no luck. I have found another anomaly-when RF gain is turned down S meter needle moves up to S9! Well seems it's more than a simple fix. Guess I will have to live with it, don't bug me too much, but will have to lie about the signal reports
Tnx again...

My RX audio is fine in all modes, just no needle movement...

Just picked up a TS-140S, everything seems to be working fine other than no RX needle movement in any mode, or band. The meter movement itself seems fine as it works in TX showing power, and in ALC. Any ideas? Tnx Robert W7XLR.

Did so, thanks! One more question. After staying up late and reading to much here (I like amp. circuits and power suppys) somebody made mention (may have been you) that it's better to run a amp. at full output rather than under-driving it the way I'm doing because there is more of a strain on it this way. Any comment, after reading so much last night I know your the One to ask (smile).

Thanks again! Well the next time you talk to Lou WB6NMT tell him I'm extremly happy with mine! I expect to keep it a very long time. I purchased it with pre-amp. out and intermitant. Was easy to fix just replaced pre-amp transistor and re-soldered the wire connectors from board to switches. Looks very well designed and neat. Mine still has original pencil test markings on transistors and according to them 120W should be super easy (smile). Got to get a hold of a 6M range Watt meter and do some checks and set my drive to a safe level for max. output. I'm underdriving to be safe until then.
73

Thank you, this is great information! I'm not ready yet, but would guess CW would be about the same or could I raise it a little because of the shorter duty cycle?
Tnx!

here is a link to the 2M version of the Amp. they are very similar http://www.qsl.net/va3rr/lunar80p/lunar80P.html

It's a class AB amp., from what I read it can be used for AM they do say any mode-just want to be sure!

I have a Lunar 6M amp (6M10-120P) it only has the standard FM/SSB delay switch. There is no mention of AM operation in the manual. It's a 10W max. drive on FM I run it at about 7-8W. Can I use it on AM? I really want to do 6M AM and my radio only does 10W max. on AM and my friend can't hear me well at that power level. I don't remember ever seing a AM only 6M amp. anyplace. It works very well and I don't want to fry it playing around on AM if it's not designed for it. Thanks for your advice.
W7XLR
DM26

Well I love 6M SSB, you only need a small loop antenna. I use a Par Loop, and with 20-100W you can work all over! Now is the season it's opening more all the time. There are many months where it's not open at all only silence unless you have a beam up high. You can still have some good old QSO's sometimes rather than just a callsign exchange, but not always. If you can get a combo HF/6M radio that would be great. Somebody else can advise you I have not compared prices for a long time. I use a Ranger RCI-5054 and it works great, but used to have a Yaesue FT-620B would go back to it anytime, got the newer one for FM and don't use it anyway now that I have tried it. What I like best living in apt/town house is the antenna is so small looks like a FM stereo antenna. I painted mine sky blue can't even see it. I have worked a good part of the states and Canada with it and 20 to 100W's! Good luck. any questions just e-mail me.

I would go with SSB for sure! When it's fully open "FM only" works great but more often than not the opening's cut out before the higher FM frequency's. Most operators are on SSB anyway, but I would rather have FM than nothing on 6M! I have talked all over USA on 20W from the house and to mobils running the same but most run about 100W. You don't need much power on SSB when it's open! Now is the time it's opening more all the time.

Thank's sounds like a great idea! Old Chevy van can do what I want, nice and strong. I have a Par loop on a Fiberglass mast that goes up to 30+ feet on the tire rack on back door, and sits perfect when down over roof, but need a beam up, so that will have to go through center so it won't over hang. Nice idea will have to take a trip to home depot and see what they got!

I want to run a mast through center of van roof to 6M beam. Need some ideas for weather seal and locking in place. Would love to hear from anybody who has done similar. Or even DC powered rotation-although I plan on "Armstrong" method.
Tnx
W7XLR
DM26

Found the answer in the arrl 2000 handbook page 28.8 fig 28.11
Thanks.

My 6M station is on 2nd floor. I run a 6M radio and amp. off 2 deep-cycle batteries. I have a Par loop just above me. Everything works fine. I could run a ground wire almost directly down 12' or so to a rod or the service enterance ground lug. I rent and this would require me to make a hole (do have tree to hide wire from view) Would it be worth it? Would it reduce any static on RX, or TVI? The only real TVI I know of is from the computer speakers both upstairs and downstairs, but I'm in a town house and worry about others. So should I ground or not?
Tnx
W7XLR
DM26