Just for the record I'm not familiar with the FT-902DM or the Kenwood prescribed methods. However here is the method I've preferred to use through the years. It's simple and effective.

1) Set the transmitter to its' highest operating band (10M).
2) Tune up at full power into into a dummy load.
3) While watching plate current dip also monitor power output. (VSWR Bridge in forward position works well).
4) A properly neutralized transmitter will yield maximum power output at plate current dip.
    If this isn't the case, make small adjustments to the neutralizing capacitor until this is realized.

Note: Always use caution as there are high voltages involved.

73 es GL
de:  Leigh, VE1GA

There was also the not very well known Heathkit HW-18.  This was an SSB xcvr. Rock bound as I recall, otherwise it resembled the HW12 / HW22 / HW32 series.

To really enjoy CW, one needs a good key otherwise it will never be fun. After pounding brass for 49 years, using and trying many hand keys, its no contest for this operator.  The Junker DBGM (as well as the DRP) beats them all. But, you'll never know this unless you've experienced one yourself.  You can view the Junker here:

< http://www.mtechnologies.com/junker/ >

Leigh, VE1GA

... DGN:  Don't you just have have to love those over zealous "auto-correct" features to brighten your day!  Looks like it might be time to upgrade my reading glasses by another diopter before I get caught again!   TU de VE1GA

Manufacturers data frequently refers to the "N" Connector as being "weatherproof".  But as William Shatner (Weird or What) is often heard saying, "If you believe that, you'd be wrong".  There is indeed a rubber casket inside the male "N" connector which provides a limited degree degree of waterproofing. This is by no means a complete waterproofing. I've always believed describing this connector as waterproof is a misnomer.  Water can and will migrate into this connector and the attached coaxial cable. 

Always weatherproof your antenna connectors, including the "N" connectors. Professional installers know this and have their preferred methods. One I've experienced and which has been a proven survivor is this:

1.  an initial wrap with vinyl tape ( such as 3M Scotch 33 )
     followed by:
2.  a wrap with friction tape (such as 3M Scotch Temflex 1755 )
     followed by:
3.  a wrap with a self amalgamating tape (such as 3M Scotch 130c)
     followed by:
4.  a final wrap with vinyl tape ( Such as 3M Scotch 33 or 88 )

There are undoubtedly other methods which may work well. My experience has been limited to the rugged Maritime climate of Atlantic Canada. Desert climates could prove somewhat different. The "N" connector by itself is certainly NOT WATERPROOF in this environment.

73,
Leigh - VE1GA








'

They look very much like Eddystone receivers. A Google search might well lead to further recognition and a model number.

73,
Leigh - VE1GA

Joe,

There are a number of possibilities here and its' going to be difficult to diagnose from a distance. Obviously a cross needle SWR meter negates the forward full scale set requirement and will thus facilitate tuning. However from a diagnostic stand point, a combination tuner with built in SWR metering is not the best.

As it stands right now, you could indeed have a defective FT-101, a defective tuner, a defective SWR meter or a faulty antenna. 

We need to isolate where the problem lies. If this were my rig I'd start by putting it on the bench, feed it into a known good dummy load to confirm the rig itself. A stand alone SWR bridge could be used between the rig and the dummy load.  The only issue here is that as the dummy load is essentially a constant impedance across a wide frequency spectrum it is possible that the transmitter might be producing RF output on something other than the frequency and band indicated. The dummy load wouldn't know this and the SWR bridge wouldn't be able to tell, whereas an antenna would be sensitive to such a condition. This kind of a condition can happen but it isn't a first suspect and would require a bit of test equipment to confirm. If the transceiver looks OK in the above configuration you could then follow this by then placing the dummy load at the output of the tuner itself and check the result.

Probably the best course of action is to follow Henry Ford's advise that goes something like "nothing is particularly difficult if you first break it down into small segments at a time". First the transceiver, then the tuner (possibly a substitute tuner), then a good antenna inspection. Beyond this hopefully there might be a local Elmer who could assist further.

GL es 73,

Leigh

Lyman ...

Sorry to hear of you job loss. Hopefully another door will soon open for you.

To help answer your query, I purchased an IC-718 about 10 years ago. My thought was to use it as an update for my old FRG-7 SWL receiver and also have transmit capability. My primary rig was and still is an IC-751A.

When I purchased the 718 they did not come with the DSP unit as they do now. It was an option. I never did add the DSP unit but I did add a narrow CW filter.

To this day, the 718 is probably my most utilized rig. It's a real workhorse. Of course its' no FT-2000 but it will put you back on the air in good style and I would not be surprised to learn that long after you've gotten a new job, acquired a high end rig, etc., that you'll not want to part with the 718.

There are a number of reviews of the 718 here on eHam that might be of assistance in your determination.

73, Leigh

Joe ... Microphone gain and SWR are not related. In SSB the microphone gain will affect power output and I think that may be where your confusion lies. I'd suggest you place your transceiver in the CW mode and use a telegraph key to generate an RF carrier. If possible run the transceiver at a reduced power output to spare the finals and power supply excessive dissipation. You'll only need enough RF output to get a full scale deflection in the forward position on the SWR meter. 25 watts would likely do it. Thereafter, place your SWR meter in the reverse position and adjust your tuner for minimum SWR. BTW, the telegraph key only needs to be in the key down position while you set the SWR meter for full sale in the forward position and then again while you're actually adjusting the tuner to minimum SWR. Try to limit the key down time the minimum necessary. With the FT-101 sweep tubes, a 10 to 15 second key down should be reasonable. Allow about that same time interval cool down before keying up
again.     

FYI: In SSB mode there will be no RF output from the transceiver until there is audio into the microphone. It would be very difficult to maintain a constant level of voice audio such that the RF output would remain as a steady carrier. A steady carrier is what you will need to actually set the SWR meter to full scale in forward position as well as to read the SWR in the meter's reverse position. That's why I suggest you use the CW mode and a hand key. This isn't the only method that you could use, but it has always been my preferred method and one that I feel gives the operator the most control in protecting the transmitter.

"All you need to find true North is a stick and the sun shining.  Stick the stick in the ground
wait until the sun is directly overhead and the shadow of the stick will point to true North".

Seems to me that if the sun is directly overhead the stick would not cast a shadow. What did I miss?

Leigh, VE1GA

Check the K4EAA web page at < http://www.k4eaa.com/parts.htm > He is producing some VFO Plugs and extender cables using modified tube extenders. Perhaps he might be able to supply your needs or suggest a supply source.

This issue about the IC-718 AF control is not new. What was described, appears to be the "norm" for this rig. At full CCW of the AF control there is no audio. As the AF control is advanced audio suddenly appears but at this point it can already be too loud in some situations.

My 7 year old IC-718 has been like this since day one. However, I generally use an external speaker and found that with this, the starting audio level was acceptable for most occasions. A possible work around would be to add an L-pad in the speaker lead or a fixed value attenuator. This could then put listening volume levels from next to nothing to beyond room filling level within the range of the AF control pot.

FWIW, the IC-718 does have AGC. Unfortunately, the AGC is not user adjustable on this rig. It is factory set according to mode selection. There are several internet mod sites that document a way to adjust the AGC level.

73,
Leigh

Spectrogram can be found at the following URL:

http://www.n0ss.net/index_k2.html  

Just scroll down the page and you should see the link.

Although I have an IC-718 I've not experienced this condition. It is possible that the CPU data has been corrupted, perhaps by a static build up. That being the case, a CPU reset might clear things up. The procedure is detailed on page 15 of the Instruction Manual. It reads as follows:

1. Make sure the transceiver power is OFF
2. While pushing and holding the [UP}and [DN],push
   [PWR] for 1 sec. to turn power ON.
   * The internal CPU is reset.
   * The transceiver displays its initial VFO frequencies when resetting is complete.
3. All quick/initial set mode settings are returned
   to default values.

This might be a place to start before digging further into the rig.

If this were my station and I wanted to tune the 20M dipole I'd forget about the autotuner. My set up would look like this: [XCVR]-->[VSWR Bridge]-->[Antenna].
Connected this way, set the XCVR to a low power level ie: 10 to 25 watts such as will be sufficient to give full scale deflection in the FWD position on the VSWR Bridge. Switch the VSWR Bridge to the REV (aka: Reflected) position and read the actual VSWR. Take measurements at 50 to 100 KHz intervals above and below your desired operating frequency. This will show if the antenna is too long or too short. You can then shorten or lengthen the dipole ends as required to achieve minimum VSWR at your desired operating frequency. Once you have accomplished this, your antenna is tuned. If you wish, the autotuner could then be inserted into the system. It won't have much of anything to do as your antenna is already properly tuned but it can be helpful to reduce VSWR at frequencies far removed from the antenna resonant point.