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G0TEZ  > YAESU    12.12.04 12:23l 58 Lines 2484 Bytes #999 (0) @ WW
BID : 639_G0TEZ
Read: GUEST DK7JY
Subj: Re: FT290 Pluses.
Path: DB0FHN<DB0FOR<DB0SIF<DB0EA<DB0RES<ON0AR<ZL2BAU<ZL2BAU<GB7MAX<GB7SAM<
      GB7OAR<GB7BOB<GB7HVU
Sent: 041211/2312Z @:GB7HVU.#16.GBR.EU #:61616 [Great Harwood] FBB7.00i $:639_G
From: G0TEZ@GB7HVU.#16.GBR.EU
To  : YAESU@WW

G0TEZ/TPK 1.83 Msg #:639  Date:11-12-2004  Time:23:04 GMT

People have given warnings about not using the FT290 with AE removed.
As Jeff G4XNH says, it is in the manual.

The nice thing I noticed about the old FT290R Mk 1 which was old when I got
it was the protection against high SWR, probably with that telescopic AE in
mind.
The  PA  transistor is a 2SC1969, very familiar to someone who was still on
CB and had used the AM rigs.

The 2SC1969 is rated at 10W in Class A. It's maximum is 15W so, if you
have  any  sort of SWR problem with your masive 2.5W O/P, you are likely to
notice things going wrong long before the O/P transistor blows.
Crude and simple, probably quite cheap compared with complex SWR protection
devices.

I  remember another 2m rig which actually used the 2SC 1941. This was rated
at  even  more  power  for  continuaous  use.  Some of us would fit them as
standard in CB radios we repaired to give less chance of the PA blowing.

Most UK 'Legal' CB radios had a 4W PA and were limited, initially to 2W ERP
then 4W.

The thing that surprised me, of course, was that the 1969 and 1941 could be
used at VHF when we used them at 27MHz.
The  truth  probably  lies  in  the  stockists  selling  'general  purpose'
components back when people actually used to repair things.
If  you  could  repair both your CB and PMR with the same transistor and AF
amp  IC  even use the PLL02 as a general purpose PLL IC, then the branch of
Radio  Shack  or  equivalent,  out  in  the sticks, didn't need to stock as
varied a collection of components.

The only equipment I have seen which was more rugged than rigs like the 290
was  the  old  Soviet  stuff  which  came  through occasionally. A Russian
transistor with a 'cyldon' tuner. Rigonda with it's one valve for everything
- well almost.

Even in cars. I have driven a number of very reliable Rivas and Nivas, very
hard to break and running on paraffin to 5 star.
According to a sneering news item from Jeremy Clarkson, Lada is back.
They are exporting them again, a newer version.

I think Clarkson's main complaint was that the are too cheap.
He  is  no  mechanic  and  certainly no driver, just a poser, so, I think I
would  lash  out #3K on a Lada even if it isn't a posermobile, for the same
reason I like my old FT 290 and no, there is never anyone on SSB or CW but,
at least it has the ability.


73 and Merry Yuletide, Ian.

p.s. Don't forget to clean the relay.



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