How to measure SSB power output properly on a TS590
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- Опубліковано 24 бер 2012
- This is in response to all the people who claim that the TS590 has low power output on SSB, typically around 70W. It was done on a TS590 using the standard mike into a resonant 10m vertical with SWR of 1:1 just to show it outputting full power connected to an antenna and not just a dummy load. Results are the same on all the other HF bands.
As I've mentioned in many forum posts, they are seeing this BECAUSE THEY ARE USING THE WRONG POWER METER. If you don't use a decent power meter with a PEP HOLD function, you might as well be pissing in the wind trying to get an accurate idea of what the power output of your radio is on SSB. A standard cross needle meter or Avair 200/400/600 and variants are not sufficient.
Just because the power meter on the radio isn't hammering on the 100W reading like my Icom 7000 does and my former Yaesu FT950 did does not mean the radio is putting out less than 100W.
You are quite right that the DAIWA NS-660P is an excellent meter, I have one. I don't want to rain on your parade but if you check the specs on this meter on PEP HOLD the meter is plus or minus 15% accurate. If you meter is plus accurate then you are generating at an indicated 95w the power is actually 80.75w., most of this model of meter are generous. I run a Yaesu FT1200DX & the indicated PEP HOLD power is 120w indicated, deduct the 15% (18w) & the actual PEP HOLD & is 102w which matches the specs of the radio. Just a point.
Thanks a lot Conor. I am looking at the 590sg, and was a little perturbed when I heard of this "issue" But you have cleared that up now.
I am a Kenwood fan, too, but your point is true and very valid. Like I pointed out above, I have all the test equipment, and have found a couple Kenwoods that had ALC issues, and low power. If I ended up with 3 different Kenwoods with this issue, then I would think there are 100s of others that do, too. de NV6R
To measure PEP 'properly' you need a two tone generator and a scope (or spectrum analyzer)
Very good!
I'm also getting low power output on my TS-590S. Compared to my Icom 735, Kenwood TS850S and Icom 7700(adjusted to 100 watts) the 590S falls short of 100 watts. I'm getting around 75-80 watts on all bands CW.
Hi excellent advice sorted me out. Now for a new one having come back into radio after a 20year lay off, I used to able to listen to my audio and adjust, mic gain,alc ete tec on my 940SAT using a dummy load, how would I do that with my 590s please. Doug G0LUH
I have had a few Kenwood units that have issues with ALC pumping, and, as a result, low output. I do have a PEP meter and scopes, so I can test radios properly. You are only testing one radio, so this is, by no means, a definitive test that represents all radios.
What about SWR on SSB? I have a Digital Pwr/SWR meter and is is usually spot on. But the readings go nuts on SSB. Is this notmal?
I have one of the Kenwood TS 590SG radios here as well, and see 50-60 watts max peak out of mine, and also have a Yaesu FT 450d which it shows power output is a 100 watts, just curious about this as well, and the settings just turned my Pros In up to 49, and the out to 45, have never ran my mic at these settings, what do you have your mic gain set at, by the way Im using the stock mic that came with the radio..
It's great to see you have a proper performing TS-590s on 10m. I do however beleive your a bit arrogant in your claims some TS-590s owners don't know how to measure peak power and there can't be any bad radios out there. I for one have a low output TS-590s on SSB and my LP-100A Digital Wattmeter confirms it. I hope you can admit a LP-100A is not a "mickey Mouse" meter. Best regards.
Conor, which kind of ext. test head you are using on video for measurement on HF bands please?
Your meter in this test was not measuring 100 watts. It was measuring between 90 and 97 watts, which is perfectly normal for SSB.
Interesting demonstration, however, there are some very critical radio settings that influence the SSB power output of both the TS-590SG and the original TS-590S.1 what Microphone did you use, was it the supplied hand Mic that comes with the radio? Different Microphones output different audio levels.2 what was the MIC gain setting?3 was the Speech Processor activate for this test? If so:4 what was the PRO.I setting?5 what was the PRO.O setting?And most important you did not show the corresponding radios ALC defection meter as a comparison at the same time along with the external Power Meter.If the ALC is at a high level then its easy to get 100 watts out of these radios at a cost of distortion. The ALC level should be at the low end of the scale about 5-6 bar on voice peaks. The purpose is to avoid distortion caused by over input to the power amplifier.VE3CG
I think you can have 100W PEP but poor average output. That's what the main complaint is right? The compressor is supposed to help with that. The problem is there's no spec on what average SSB output is. They just state 100 peak.
n3cal is correct,
I have had 3 590's that didn't/don't put out 100w on SSB...60w or so ( LP100A)..the last one was atrocious and sent back 4 a replacement thats not much better)
while 2 Yaesu's easily do put 100w.
On the meter I use all the time in the shack,(not the LP100A)the Yaesu's easily show 2x the power output on SSB...So I think one of 2 things.
1) You got lucky to get a good one
or
2) You adjusted the service menu to "fix" it .
lots of complaints of the 590
SO who calibrated the meter?????????????????
For SSB phone you can go in service menu and just gain to the MAX. No damage for phone use. Iam using TS-480 that way = 150W. I hate this kind of shit: 60 watts from stated 100W on modulation.
73 from baghdad de Yi1hxh
TNX for this nice video! 73 de IU2IDU