K7AGE has some really great PSK31 videos on YouTube that operators new to the mode should check out.  There is one specifically that deals with how to properly set your transmit/alc settings to avoid IMD and other nasties.

73,
K2CMH

Here is something you can try that may help you determine whether or not the radio is just stuck in sleep/standby or if there are other issues at play.  As you have stated, as long as the radio has power, the CPU should be running and the radio listening for CAT commands on the serial port.  On my FT-950, if it has power, when HRD starts, it will connect to the radio and power it up (bring it out of sleep) just as if I had pressed the button on the front panel.  Try powering up the radio using HRD or some other CAT program.  If it powers up then at least you know the radio overall is functioning.  If it does not power up, that may indicated problems other than or in addition to just the soft power switch circuitry.

73,
Carlton
 

I had a non-powering up condition and sent the unit back to Yaesu as it was under warranty.  They ended up replacing a voltage regulator and a couple of transistors.  Although this does not sound like the same issue you are having, I  thought I would toss it out there anyhow.

73,
Carlton

I'm having a difficult time figuring out what the major difference between these two devices is other than $20.  The odd thing is, the device that has the higher power handling and wider frequency capability is actually the cheaper unit, I would have expected it to be the other way around.

901B: ANTENNA TUNER, 200 WATTS, 1.8-30 MHZ, W/BALUN, $99
902H: TRAVEL TUNER, 10-80M, 150W, W/BALUN, $119

Thanks,
Carlton

   
 

>With Ten-Tec's policy of refusing service to people who write negative reviews

I did not know that was going on, that is disgusting.  I'm glad I know as I will never buy any Ten-Tec equipment.  Perhaps they should focus their negative energy in trying to get to the bottom of the negative review instead of retribution.  How terribly juvenile, is their CEO still in his teens?

It looks like a firmware update has been released (around end of September 2011) for the FT-950 for all of those that are interested.

As promised:

No Load: 13.6V

Load (12 amp): 13.5V

I will take load/no load measurements and post them tonight.

However, I would still like to know for future reference what power supplies are considered good ones.  There are obviously those who believe that Astrons are not any good (I don't have enough experience to offer an opinion) but I have not seen anyone offer up what they consider to be a good power supply.  Assuming that they are not good power supplies, it would be nice to know what is considered a good power supply for future reference. 

Thanks,
Carlton

So I hooked the voltmeter up tonight and it was reading 16.42, which made me a little suspicious.  So I borrowed another meter and tested it again and the voltage reading on that meter was 13.5.  I then hooked up my FT-817 which has a voltage display and it was reading 13.5 as well.  The built in meter is reading 14.5v.  So I guess it was a combination of a crappy voltmeter and the meter on the power supply being a little off as well.  So it appears everything is okay.  Thanks everyone for the information and suggestions.  I have saved them all in case I have problems in the future.

>What is the no load voltage?
>What is the voltage with a 20 amp (or so) load?

I will check those voltages tonight when I get home from work and post the results here.

>W8JI:  Astrons, because of poor heatsinking, workmanship,  and inadequate thermal considerations eat up pass transitors from heat damage. It is pretty normal for a grossly overheated transitor to get leaky, and it would show as what you describe.

Tom,

What power supply would you recommend if I just want to replace it and not mess with trying to troubleshoot/fix it?  Also, would you recommend a linear or switcher?  Since the power supply is obviously a very important part of the 'system' as a whole, I want to make sure I have a good quality one in there.

Thanks,
Carlton

Thanks Dick, I will certainly take a look at that.

So just as a hypothetical....if I wanted to replace it, what would be the recommended brand and model.  Would you use a linear or switcher?

Thanks,
Carlton

>1. Is this a newly acquired unit?

It was purchased Dec. 2010

>2. If not, was there a sudden change, under what conditions?

I don't really know, I happen to be troubleshooting another piece of equipment when I stumbled onto the voltage reading.

>3. Does the output voltage change under higher load current?

I will have to check that.   If it does, does that make it any safer to use since most of the time (other than transmitting) it will still have the higher voltage output?

>4. Under what environmental conditions do you use the PS?

It is used indoors in my shack (air conditioned/heated) to drive my FT-950 and other small station accessories. 

W5DXP,

Thanks for the info.  From reading that article, I come away with the impression that Astrons are not all that great.  Is  there a particular vendor you would recommend?  Also, would you recommend a linear or switcher if buying a new one these days?

Thanks,
Carlton