Re: Pre-amp for IC-910h?
The Icom units are easy to install and use with the 910, but leave a LOT to be desired in terms of noise figure. It speaks volumes that they do not publish NF specs that I know of...
I'm in the process of replacing mine with older Landwehr units.
73, Drew KO4MA
-----Original Message-----
From: Martin Grundy m0ady@m0ady.org.uk Sent: Mar 27, 2007 11:31 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Pre-amp for IC-910h?
Hi...
I am thinking of buying a masthead pre-amp for use with the Icom IC-910H for both satellite and terrestrial work.
There are the AG-25/35 units from Icom which are specially designed for use with the 910. But I have seen the SSB Electronics units on the web (SSB-SP-2000/7000) and also the Microset units (PR-145A/430A) and wonder if these devices perform better than the Icom units. Also, would the SSB/Microset units require a sequencer.
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has been down this road with an IC-910H.
Thanks in advance, 73 Martin M0ADY.
-- Martin Grundy (M0ADY) m0ady@m0ady.org.uk AMSAT-UK: 6314 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
All: I neglected to mention in my earlier response that I have successfully powered the SP2000 and SP7000 from the IC910H, using the preamp function in the radio. While I'd never use power up the coax for a final installation, it sure is nice for Field Day. My experience is similar to Drew's, the SSBs are much lower NF and much higher intermod rejection (probably due to the helical filter in part).
Good luck & 73, Jim wb4gcs@amsat.org
Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
The Icom units are easy to install and use with the 910, but leave a LOT to be desired in terms of noise figure. It speaks volumes that they do not publish NF specs that I know of...
I'm in the process of replacing mine with older Landwehr units.
73, Drew KO4MA
-----Original Message-----
From: Martin Grundy m0ady@m0ady.org.uk Sent: Mar 27, 2007 11:31 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Pre-amp for IC-910h?
Hi...
I am thinking of buying a masthead pre-amp for use with the Icom IC-910H for both satellite and terrestrial work.
There are the AG-25/35 units from Icom which are specially designed for use with the 910. But I have seen the SSB Electronics units on the web (SSB-SP-2000/7000) and also the Microset units (PR-145A/430A) and wonder if these devices perform better than the Icom units. Also, would the SSB/Microset units require a sequencer.
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has been down this road with an IC-910H.
Thanks in advance, 73 Martin M0ADY.
-- Martin Grundy (M0ADY) m0ady@m0ady.org.uk AMSAT-UK: 6314 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
I'm curious Jim, why wouldn't you supply power to the pre-amp through the coax in a permanent setup?
73 Jeff kb2m
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Sanford" wb4gcs@amsat.org While I'd never use power up the coax for a final installation, it sure is nice for Field Day.
Jeff: In my permanent microwave station setup, I wish to run a sequencer. Doing that with rig preamp power up the coax is do-able with some rigs, but problematic. I prefer the flexibility of dedicated powe or control for everything mounted at altitude. Given distributed transverters, power amps, downconverters, and preamps, it seems to me the safest and most flexible way to do it.
In particular, ICOM is very blunt in their manual: Don't put anything (like an external power amp) between the rig and preamp if you're using the rig to provide preamp power. Not hard to figure out ways to make it acceptable, but also not hard to figure out how it can go sour, resulting in a cooked preamp. (been there, done that.)
In my ultimate satellite station, I'll have at least some power amps, and possibly upconverters at altitude. I want more control than the rig-powered preamp offers.
Don't get me wrong -- I am NOT bashing Icom or Yaesu for their implementations of power up the coax. For a simple (not minimal) station, it's more than adequate. It's just not adequate for my (hopefully) "bleeding edge" final station configuration. If I had to parachute into a disaster area with some batteries, my 910 , coax, and preamps, I'd use power up the coax in a microsecond -- with confidence.
Hope the clarifies the question!
Thanks, 73, and good luck! Jim wb4gcs@amsat.org
Jeff Griffin wrote:
I'm curious Jim, why wouldn't you supply power to the pre-amp through the coax in a permanent setup?
73 Jeff kb2m
----- Original Message ----- From: "Jim Sanford" wb4gcs@amsat.org While I'd never use power up the coax for a final installation, it sure is nice for Field Day.
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hi Martin
I use two SSB electronics pre-amps, powered permanently through the coax. I initially used an external power unit through the coax as I was worried about the power spec, but the loss through the extra connectors and jumpers seemed silly to waste and turns out, after stopping by Icom, they aer just down the road, the techs told me that the radio had more than enough ability to sink the current needed for the SSB and Icom pre-amps and I think the SSB actually draws a little less. The SSB units are awesome... I have two. You may have to turn down the gain on the 2 meter amp, but the 440 works perfectly out of the box and the noise floor is outstanding
Michael
-----Original Message----- From: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On Behalf Of Jim Sanford Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2007 5:44 PM To: Andrew Glasbrenner Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Pre-amp for IC-910h?
All: I neglected to mention in my earlier response that I have successfully powered the SP2000 and SP7000 from the IC910H, using the preamp function in the radio. While I'd never use power up the coax for a final installation, it sure is nice for Field Day. My experience is similar to Drew's, the SSBs are much lower NF and much higher intermod rejection (probably due to the helical filter in part).
Good luck & 73, Jim wb4gcs@amsat.org
Andrew Glasbrenner wrote:
The Icom units are easy to install and use with the 910, but leave a LOT to
be desired in terms of noise figure. It speaks volumes that they do not publish NF specs that I know of...
I'm in the process of replacing mine with older Landwehr units.
73, Drew KO4MA
-----Original Message-----
From: Martin Grundy m0ady@m0ady.org.uk Sent: Mar 27, 2007 11:31 AM To: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Pre-amp for IC-910h?
Hi...
I am thinking of buying a masthead pre-amp for use with the Icom IC-910H for both satellite and terrestrial work.
There are the AG-25/35 units from Icom which are specially designed for use with the 910. But I have seen the SSB Electronics units on the web (SSB-SP-2000/7000) and also the Microset units (PR-145A/430A) and wonder if these devices perform better than the Icom units. Also, would the SSB/Microset units require a sequencer.
I would be interested to hear from anyone who has been down this road with an IC-910H.
Thanks in advance, 73 Martin M0ADY.
-- Martin Grundy (M0ADY) m0ady@m0ady.org.uk AMSAT-UK: 6314 _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
participants (4)
-
Andrew Glasbrenner -
Jeff Griffin -
Jim Sanford -
Michael Hatzakis Jr MD