A vague question as we do not know how much power you want to be able to put out.

Any amp will work with the FT-450. All of the newer amps simply require a keying cable from radio to amp. Older amps like the SB-200 require a relay between the rig and amp as the amp has a higher voltage on the keying relay. Unless it has been modified with the Harbach soft key.

I have an Ameritron AL-80A in line with a FT-950. Single 3-500Z tube. With 60 watts drive the amp has an output of about 700 watts on 80 meters (which along with 40 Meters is about the only two bands I use the amp on)

It will cruise along at 700 watts all day long, never get warm. The tube will last a long time if you do not abuse it. Nice desk top amp. You can buy used ones, or look for a newer AL-80A. For the amount you spend, even on a new one that amp is a good value.

If you have to store HF rigs I will do you a favor and store them on my shack desk.  They will survive there!

Leave the coax hooked up to the loops and when you want to operate open the balcony door and run the coax inside to the rig. If it is a sliding door which most apartments have, in the winter you can put some weather stripping along the edge of the door which would add some cushion and maybe come close to getting the sliding door shut all the way for heating purposes.

IMO you would be better off buying a K1EL Winkeyer USB and using that with your software to send CW with the radio in the CW mode. I have that setup and it works great. Rarely use it but it does work well.

I have mine setup to operate with DM780 which contains provisions for the Winkeyer in the software.

So you have worked at R&L in the past, well you must if you know that anyone calling them on the phone is just looking for a price.

Or could it be that they have a credit card in hand and are placing an order for $2000-3000 of equipment? Or they are calling about a warranty issue?

Basic rules of retailing involve dealing with the person who you are talking to first, whether it be on the phone or in person. I have worked part time in the golf retail business and I can tell you this, I did not hang up on a customer when someone walked into the store. How would you like to the person on the phone and have a sales person say to you... "Sorry sir, I have to hang up now because a customer just came into the store. Have a nice day, good bye"

You may think that is ok, I would not be too impressed.

My only complaint with R&L is they fail to answer email inquiries. But the item I ordered from them last year was shipped the next day, to a totally different address than the one I billed from. No hassles at all. Item arrived the day after it was shipped.

Buy the house, then you know who your neighbor will be. 

Let us know how it works out Randy. At least you realize that antenna may have some issues but at least you have an antenna.

Rick VE3FMC

Seriously, all of this discussion for the 2 meter band? 

Start studying Barrett, the test is a piece of cake to pass.

Are the lines there constantly? Meaning if there is no propagation do you still see those lines in the waterfall?

If so then it is local QRN. I tuned to 28.120 at 11:10 UTC and I see two thin lines on the waterfall here.

One is located just below the 500 marker and the other is almost at 2200. I suspect that is local QRN of some sort but it would not likely be strong enough to interfere with a signal. Thin lines, they are not as wide as the marker.

Do you have the power meter on the tuner set for Peak or Average? Page 1 in the manual describes the procedure to change that setting.

73, Rick

John the FT-950 has RTTY so yes I could use that to tune the amp. I use FM, and I have the tuning down pat on the amp so I can tune it very quickly.

As I mentioned in my other post I have made an Amp Loading Chart with the plate/load settings on it. Makes for easy tuning. Plus I do not use the amp much except on 80 M. So I don't do much tuning with amp.

Rick

Although I can't help you as I am from Ontario I will say this. That is a beautiful area you live in down there. I was in Pigeon Forge from March 25 to the 28th. With the mountains down there if there are repeater sites on them then the range must be fantastic.

I did not visit the TenTec factory. I should have done that while my wife shopped!

Good luck finding a mentor.
73, Rick VE3FMC

Works great when you are home. (does not work in Canada, different laws)

 Most thieves, at least the smart ones wait until you are not home to break in.

Hi Rick

First congrats on buying a fine amp. I have the older brother, the AL-80A.

I do not have the ALC line connected. I do not drive the amp with more than 70 watts, and the maximum I can drive it with is 100 watts. So I just didn't bother with the ALC connection.

One hint I will give you and this makes future operation of your amp much easier.

Load the amp into a dummy load on every band. Once you get it loaded on a band write down the plate and load settings. Do this on every band you plan on running the amp on.

Now you have a loading chart which allows you to set the plate and load settings before keying the amp. Then you just have to do a quick touch up on the plate and load settings and you are good to go. This saves a lot of key down time on the amp when changing bands.

I start off with about 40 watts drive on FM on my FT-950, then increase the output on the radio to tweak the plate and load settings on the amp. Once it is loaded up I then back the rig power off so I get the power out of the amp that I want to run.

The reason I use FM is because I do not have any CW key or paddle connected to the rig.

Have fun, use the amp wisely and you will get many years of use from that 3-500Z tube.
Rick VE3FMC