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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
K9XT Rating: 2007-12-16
Perfect protection between amp and radio. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've used an ARB-704 for over a year, interfacing an FT-100D, a TS-450 and an IC-7000 to an AL-80B. With Ameritron's radio interface cables, interconnection was a snap. Perfect protection for your transceiver.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by K9XT on 2006-11-11

I am very pleased with the flexibility of the ARB-704. While there are many different ways to interconnect an amplifier to a transmitter, this interface does a nice job of not only handling the interconnection but also protecting everything in the event of a catastrophic event.
I've used the ARB 704 with an FT-100D, a TS-450S, an SB-200, and an AL-80B - mixing and matching with equal success.
AD5X Rating: 2007-07-27
Over a year of use! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use the ARB-704 between my MKV and ALS-600, and between my IC-706MKIIG and the ALS-600. Easy to set up and it works great. I modified my ARB-704 so it also interfaces with my MFJ-994B auto-tuner and takes my ALS-600 off-line when the auto-tuner starts tuning. Info in the "Equipment Modifications" section at www.ad5x.com.

Phil - AD5X
KN0V Rating: 2007-07-27
Works for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought one to interface between my IC-765 and SB-221 amp. Worked fine - no problems at all. An Astron RS-7A supplied the power.
N8ERM Rating: 2007-07-27
Great product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I own a few of these (6) and find it really hard to believe the trouble some folks have had with these. Some folks toss the manual aside, get that I am a licenced amateur look on there face and "hook her up". I did that to one and let the smoke out of the box. My Superior ham look went away!!! The simple directions must be followed to make sure the jumpers inside the ARB-704 is correct. I rate these at a 5++. They are great unit.
Terry N8ERM
KA6OTJ Rating: 2007-05-21
been perfect for me Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I use one of these with both my Kenwood TS570 and My Icom 756Pro. Does the job for me and I would recomend it to anyone who doesn't want to take the time to build one. Yes $50 is a little pricey for a relay but then again it is cheap insurance for protecting your tranciever. Where you going to find anyone to repair your tranciever for $50.
W4VD Rating: 2007-04-09
Good when it works Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This is a nice product when it works, I had one of the eariler models of this item and it died after a long life, so I order a used new model ARB 704 from a fellow off the web and it arrived as he said, in mint, like new condition, but only worked about 2 weeks and then it would not unkey the amp when you unkeyed. A call to Ameritron to their tech support, suggested it was a leaky Q2, I purchsed it, less than 5 bucks not too bad, and it was indeed the problem. A couple of things, the other fellow is right about the power supplies, that should be included, and there should be a on/off switch to have a stand-by switch on the case, I have on in the power line near the case, but it's a pain to switch,

That other amp keyer out there, I think that's the name, amp keyer, seems to have a lot more features for about the same if not less cost. On/off switch, stand-by led, on ready for smoke led, xmitting led, should this one die again I will get me an amp keyer
KO6JT Rating: 2007-01-12
ARB-704 Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Hello All
Got the ARB-704 hooked it up to Kenwood Ts-450s
an Ameritron Al-84
it works great no problem hooking up at all.
73
KO6JT, Bob
N4RAP Rating: 2006-03-04
Waste of Money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought this device, as an interface between my new Yaesu FT 857D and my SGC SmartCube hf amplifier. It appears that Yaesu doesn't make or sell a "universal" cable to connect Yaesu hf radios, to other brands of amplifier, such as an Alpha, QRO, Ameritron or Kenwood or Icom. This would also include, even old Yaesu amps, such as the FL 2100B !!!!!

Ameritron recommends to call their Tech Support Department if you had any problems with the unit...but they were no help at all...because they had never tried the ARB 704 with an SGC amplifier and therefore, were not able to give any help at all.

I also called Yaesu and e-mailed Yaesu several times for help, with this matter, but never even got a response back from them !!!!

Fortunately for me...The SGC SmartCube will work on "RF Sensing" like a 2 meter or CB amp, and that's how I am able to use the amp in my car. As soon as you voice peak reaches 5 watts the amplifier "kicks-in" and you're "ON THE AIR".

I have many friends that are using these devices with all types to tube-type and solid state amplifiers, but as far as I'm concerned...it's useless with SGC products.
N2ZVT Rating: 2005-12-29
Simple to use Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Just purchased this to use with my new AL811H. Works as advertised. I purchased the rig-specific cable for my Yaesu Mark-V. No power cord is needed as the rig supplies the voltage. Rig to ARB, ARB to amp. That's it. May not be needed, but I figure that if it fails, it would be cheaper to replace than the shipping alone would be for sending the radio for repair. Also, the LIN switch does not need to be selected on the back of the radio.
On transmit there was a slight "thump" when amp kicked in (as reported from receive audio). I adjusted the TX delay (menu 7-4) on the Mark-V to increase the transmit delay, default setting is 5 mS. Changed to 20 mS and no more "thump".
WA7SCH Rating: 2005-12-29
Does what it is supposed to Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I am very happy with mine. I use it to connect my IC 756PRO II to my old faithful Collins 30L-1 Amp.

Plugged it in, turned it on, and presto it worked like it should. Powered it off my 12V station power supply.

It's very inexpensive and works flawlessly so far.
Mike
WA7SCH