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Reviews For: AMERITRON ARB 704

Category: Interfaces, Radio to computer, amp, rotor, coax switch, internet

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Review Summary For : AMERITRON ARB 704
Reviews: 53MSRP: 49.99
Description:
INTERFACE FOR IC706 MK 2 TO AMERITRON 811HX
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.ameritron.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15534.3
W2RS Rating: 2008-08-28
Works great, no problems Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use the ARB 704 between my Orion II and 30L-1. Setting it up was a snap, and it's been problem-free ever since. The 30L-1's keying voltage of 170 VDC would fry the Orion without an interface or relay of some kind. With the ARB 704, the two are the best of friends.
N2QQF Rating: 2008-08-15
working well so far Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I had one of these units previously that failed on me. I wont really bash it because I received it used and I wasn't certain that it was cared for very well. Anyhow, since it failed i decided to get another interface and use the same one because I inquired about another interface but they were not available. So far the new unit works well without any issues. I now use two units one for my Ameritron Amplifier and the other for my SB-220 without any glitches. I would buy one again if needed.
WB7QXU Rating: 2008-06-10
Works great Time Owned: more than 12 months.
It is hard to blieve it is from (MFJ) Ameritron, but it works great for me. I use it to key my Icom 756PROII to my old Amps. It is really quick and silent. Works well with even my Heathkits which use 120V D.C. to ground. It will save my Icom's small relay from replacement. Most older amps have voltage and current that would damage newer solid state rigs. If you use an older Linear Amp, you need this product. I also use an Ameritron ICP-240 to turn my amps on and off, saves on Amps on/Off switches another must. If you have a Drake L-4(B) than this ICP-240 will save you switches from High Inrush Currents. The ICP-120 will save those old Drake AC-4 Power supplies for the high inrush currents as well.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WB7QXU on 2004-12-15

I have had for the last 10yrs used buffer's for my solid state rigs to use with my tube amps, like Heathkit SB200, SB220 which require a buffer, they have a grounded grid keying circuit that is 120v dc to grnd and will damage any modern solid state Transciver. I had to make one for my Icom 751A. Later I bought a Ic 706, and bought the ARB 702, and a ARB 704 for my Icom 756ProII. I can say that these buffer's really work well and will key any old amp without any delay. They really connect well, and easy to jumper and install.
There is a major advantage to these solid state buffers it that no inductive kick. If you build a low cost relay low voltage of 12v and low miliamp ratings They will work with the new solid state transcivers but you can run the risk of inductive kick and causing an arc on the small reed relays or solid state switchs needed to key an external relay. This will be a costly repair! Some of the
Modern rigs are rated up to 16v about 500ma or LESS. Save yourself trouble these ARB 704 will do the job and will not harm the rigs. I realize they are costly, but You really are getting your money's worth. "well designed" and work Great.
K5ENA Rating: 2008-06-10
Excellent Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Mine has worked perfectly for the past 3 years between my TS-570DG and FL-2100B.

John, K5ENA

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K5ENA on 2007-05-21

I have used the ARB-704 and companion cable between my TS-570DG and FL-2100B for years without any problems whatsoever.
KK8V Rating: 2008-06-10
Worked perfectly right out of the box. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I also have two of the ARB 704's. I use them on seperate amplifiers. They worked perfectly right out of the box. I am completely satisfied.
K5ML Rating: 2008-06-09
Works as advertised Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased an ARB 704 18 months ago to key a 30L-1 amplifier using an Icom 756 Pro III. I hooked it up to 12 volts, plugged it into the transceiver and amplifier, and it worked fine from the outset. It has never failed to work as it should.
K3EY Rating: 2008-06-09
WORKS PERFECTLY Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Works great with my Yaesu and Icom no problems whatsoever---good product priced very reasonable. AL80B works perfect as well--- Long live MFJ.
N0YXE Rating: 2008-06-09
Never worked! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Is this a good product? Mine never worked? The second one never worked, either. Guess what? The Ameritron amplifier never worked. NEVER! No response. Do you know what I did wrong. I bought MFJ products! I purchased a Toyko Hy Power (750 watt version) and a generic interface from Associated Radio in Overland Park, KS, for about forty bucks, and guess what? IT ALL WORKS PERFECTLY. The MFJ 998 tuner didn't work except for the first few times. The second machine worked only once! The think the interface for this tuner had not been developed! Bought a Palstar AT AUTO (yes, expensive) and it works perfectly out of the box.
KA4EFM Rating: 2008-02-13
Works Great Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
I purchased the ARB-704 about 8 months ago to serve as an interface between my Yaesu FP-897D and my Ameritron AL-572. After a few minor cabling modifications the ARB-704 was found to work as it was intended. It is a great way to protect your radio from the load imposed on the radio by the amplifiers transmit relay.
WV4I Rating: 2008-01-07
Works Great Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Works as advertised. FT-450 to Ameritron amp, using PNP-8M cable fm tuner port.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by WV4I on 2007-05-21

Using ARB-704 with PNP-8M cable to FT-857D and AL-572 and AL-1500 amps. So far so good. Note, FT-857D is not a stated application for PNP-8M cable, the latter which, at the radio end, terminates in an 8 pin mini DIN, looking for tx gnd out on pin 2, and a gnd on pin 3. The PNP-8M cable is also a solution for amp keying with the FT-450 from the 'tuner' jack, as the 10 pin mini DIN plug required for keying fm the FT-450 'linear' jack is unavailable.