There are different models of "Astron 35M" which
accounts for the difference in price. There is a switching
mode and an analog model (uses a transformer),
and also a rackmount model...pretty sure that one is a switch
mode PS.

Some guys say that switching power supplies create
electrical noise in receivers and are not as rugged as analog models.
Switching power supplies are much smaller and lighter, and a bit cheaper.
I have used two switching PS's with HF rigs for over a decade
and had no problems whatsoever.

I have the Astron SS-30M (30 Amps peak with meters)
and a Samlex SEC-1223. (23 Amps peak, no meters)
FWIW, I rarely, if ever look at the meters on the Astron PS.
In fact it's under the desk, but still hooked up and in use.
73, Ken  AD6KA

They are looking for terrorists and other gov. threats.
They don't care about the rest. %99.999999999999999999999+++++
of it is white noise.
It runs through super computers using voice recognition
software and looking for "key words" and patterns.

Hey, they gotta do what they gotta do.

There was a program about the NSA on The History Channel
here.(Not one of those crazy conspiracy shows)
One ex FBI employee said (paraphrasing here) that if
they had been using the capabilities and methods used
now back in 2000, they probably would have prevented 9/11.

But of course an ex employee would say something like
that. Not an impartial source.

"You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it."
                ---Scott McNealy, CEO Sun Microsystems 1-26-99

Every phone call, cell or landline, every email,
every radio conversation or electronic data tranfer anywhere,
is or can be, monitored and scanned by the NSA.
If you think otherwise, you are fooling yourself.
73, Ken  AD6KA

Hi Frank:

Glad that your project was successful and painless.
Now you know how to do it. Going forward you can
do it on other HF rigs or help others do it.
Even little DIY projects like this are rewarding,IMO.


I know a couple guys with IC-751A's. They are terrific
radios...and, I think, an underrated radio in the community.
Yeah, a little long in the tooth, but so what?

You done good in picking it up. I would highly recommend
that you refrain from doing any mods on it.
(I know, you didn't say you were going to, but I thought I'd
throw that out there anyway.)
It works great, has the Piexx Mods for CAT control,
very good performer. You scored, buddy!
73, Ken  AD6KA

I would at least get the parts and *try* to make
the cables. It's really not that hard if you have a
controlled temp soldering iron. It's those cheesy
soldering irons that get wayyy too hot that cause
a lot of unwanted problems, like melted plastic.
And every ham should know how to solder and own
a decent soldering iron.

+1 on the advice to print out W8JI's article about tuning
amps. Then put it in a report folder or three ring binder
with your other ham related info and documents.

Anyway...congrats on your new amp and I hope
you get a lot of good use and enjoyment out of it!

GL ES 73, Ken  AD6KA

Allen said what I was going to say but typed faster! 

I'll just add that I wouldn't buy a brand new amp
that doesn't cover 160m. Don't think I'm alone on that.

73, Ken AD6KA

There are no IMD specifications for FCC certification.
73,Ken  AD6KA

You're joking, right?
You didn't notice that the frequency
in use was outside the ham bands?


As opposed to having a ham radio license and a $300 radio?
Like a nicer radio gives you more privileges?
Jeesh!

Here's a IC-751A Service Manual download,
should be of some help:
www.radiomanual.info/schemi/IC751A_serv.pdf

I've replaced meter lamps on two Kenwood
HF rigs but not any Icoms. Probably a similar
process. Look up which screws to loosen/remove
to tilt down the front panel to access the lamp/s.
Typically a "grain of wheat" type bulb running off
the 12v rail, but you can measure the exact voltage.
Radio Shack stocks a couple different 12v "grain of wheat"
type bulbs. Or, use an LED....don't forget the resistor.
Here's a resistor calculator for the LED:
http://led.linear1.org/1led.wiz

LED's are nice replacements as they last forever
and, if you like, you can choose a spiffy color like
bright blue. Or not. Some LEDs have a kinda narrow
angle of light projection. I have read that if you lightly
buff them with some fine steel wool it will improve this,
but I have good results without doing it.

GL with your project!
73, Ken  AD6KA

I don't know where you live, but be VERY
familiar with the machine and it's users *before*
letting any kids talk on it.  A couple of the 2m repeaters
around here sound like CB with better audio.
(Filthy language, rude comments, etc)
Kinda like 14.313 MHz now that I think of it....
Sad but true.

73, Ken  AD6KA

Whatever method you decide on, please wear a hardhat
and eye protection. It's not worth losing an eye over.

Even a 1 oz sinker falling 60 feet will be going
19.70 m/s (43 mph) when it hits the ground.

The Splat Calculator:
http://www.angio.net/personal/climb/speed


73 ES GL,
Ken  AD6KA

Not "technically" true. The DL-QRP Club Shop still offers
the "Digifun" dedicated QRP PSK-31 transceiver kit.
http://www.qrpproject.de/UK/digifun.htm
(only one of the three PC boards in the kit is shown on
that page, FYI)
BUT.....it is now extremely expensive (209.50 Euros, approx $217 USD, plus shipping)
is an extremely difficult build and alignment,
mostly due to a VERY poorly written manual,
(translated from German)
inexistent company support, and usually arrives missing
many, many parts. Stay VERY FAR AWAY!

The Small Wonder Labs PSK rigs are no longer being offered
but you can still find them for sale from time to time. As
mentioned, they are excellent little transceivers. I have
the PSK-20, 40, and Warbler (80m simpler version).
I had one of the rare PSK-10's but sold it. (Still kicking myself)

I would stick with one of the 20m versions.
Remember that the older ones required a Serial Port
to key them. The later ones had VOX and a little more
power output. (But I think the higher parts count
earliest versions with the Serial Port have better receivers).
I have had phenomenal QSO's with my PSK-20 with
stations all over the world with very simple and modest antennas.
 It's an insanely good QRP rig.

Anyway, there are PSK apps for Pads and Smart Phones even,
so you don't need to spend a fortune for a NUE PSK Modem.
(Though that they now support RTTY and CW is pretty darn cool!)
http://www.nue-psk.com/
Back when those Nue PSK Modems were newer, simpler, and
cheaper, and still available as a kit, I saw one built into an
enclosure with a Warbler and it was a really spiffy setup!

I also have the Hendrix BITX20A and even after warm up I
don't think it's quite stable enough for PSK. Maybe for very short
QSO's, but you don't want to end up chasing each other up
and down the band. I'm sure that the DDS VFO Mod
would solve that problem.

Good luck in your quest, whatever you decide on!
73 & God Bless, Ken  AD6KA

159 Euros is USD $205 (more or less) Plus Shipping.
With some shopping I'm sure you can find something
that will do the job just as well for less money.

Good luck with your Paragliding Project and be safe!
Are you going to have a formal website about the project
and it's progress, or just post YouTube updates?

LOTS of hangliders, paragliders, off road enthusiasts,
etc. around here use 2m without having licenses. I'm glad
to hear that you aren't going to be like them and flout the law,
wherever your hobby takes you!
73 es God Bless, Ken  AD6KA

That's funny.

Better yet, walk up to them and say "Hey Old Timer!
I'm a newbie and I have a question......and that guy standing
over by the coffee machine bet his buddy $5 that
you wouldn't know the answer"

Friedrich Nietschke