Damn you Icom. Again, and again, and again. Yes. Alse the IC-9700 is equipped with the famous ‘power overshoot’ or ‘ALC overshoot’ issue most modern Icom transceivers have. Apparently Icom can’t get a grip on this issue. Bad news for people using transistor based amplifiers (SSPA) in SSB mode.
Since the IC-9700 had a ‘TX PWR LIMIT’ function, setting this to 7%* will prevent the amp from going in protection mode. The bad side is that the amp only running about 50% of the effective power.
* In my case I’m using a Gemini 2-500 amp with 4W drive level requirement. If your amp needs 10W input, raising the 7% to [try something like 13%] the value you need. And no. 7% does not mean 7 Watts, thus overloading. The value (percentage) isn’t linear. Measuring the (avg) output will tell you.
Update: Setting the tx-delay to 20 ms solved the issue tripping the SSPA.
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Hi
I also use a IC-9700 with a Gemini 500 …and get no problem at all with tripping or overshoot ..mines set for 25w drive .
Maybe worth changing the input attenuation on the Gemini .
Several respected reviewers have stated there is not an overshoot problem on the 9700 .
Good luck revolving the problem
Steve G4HTZ
Author
Hi Steve,
It’s worth trying, but I also have the problem on 23cm where the max 9700 output is 10 Watt and the input 8 Watts (tough limited).
No problem with my IC-9700 and Gemini 23 cm amplifier. I have set the TX delay on the 9700 at 30mS.
On the 4th and 5th of May we worked the EA MAF test at 1.2 Ghz with the Gemini amplifier and 8 watts from the IC-9700, without problems for 6 hours on Saturday and 6 on Sunday, the “parrot” cq test was every 6 seconds and perfect without ploblemas.
73 Mike, EA3TJ
I Have no problems with that i use the Tajfun 1000 AMP and the problem was befor with my IC-7100 but
the New 9700 does nothing like that….it works propperly.
Best 73
Peter DL6KA
i have this with the 9100 and Beko 1KW amp, any suggestions?
My Ic9100 was purchased in 2012.
I have a different problem, connected the IC-7900 to my Gemini 1.2 K linear which ran half power (15Watt input) until I switched the rig off. After switching the rig back on the display was dead and the TX/RX light came on. Cannot even do a factory reset on the rig.
73’s
Vernon ZS6AIG
Hi David,
I have a 9100 manufactured in 2018, with no ALC overshoot problems. Icom got to grips with the overshoot problem on the 9100. I know Icom modded the latter 9100’s, but do not know what they did. It would be worth contacting Icom and asking if it is a simple software mod? I run mine on 2m with a 3CX800 linear no problems throughout the range.
73’s Andy GW0KZG
You mentioned set ‘the tx delay to 20 ms’ – where is that menu option ?
The Gemini VHF/UHF amps use a control board where you can reduce the TX change over delay to match the relay switching time.
Unfortunately when built, the control board is not adjusted! My 4m Gemini 4 was had originally a 35mS change over time, the relays are specified at 20mS. By adjusting VR3 on the control board I was able to set the c/o to 21mS
73 Dave G4AON
thanks Andy- will look into this— for now, I use the BEKO 1KW with my old Yaesu 736R.
I did hear that they fixed the issue in 2018, and now the radio is discontinued.
David N2SLO
I had had Icom tech support fix the ALC overshot in the 7410 and 9100.
I’ve just bought two new Icoms 9700 mainly for satellite / DStar and the 7300 (still to receive on Sunday) which will be setup with SPE 1.3k Amp
I just ‘popped’ one side of my BLF188XR based 2 meter amp. Just in time for the January contest, of course… GRRRRR!
If you haven’t already replaced the PA transistor, I would suggest looking at the newer ART1K6 transistor (available from RFMW in the UK). It is qualified up to 55V operation, but at 50V it is close to ‘drop in’ for the BLF188XR. With a higher breakdown voltage (which is usually the thing that kills the transistor when thermals are taken care of) it should give you a better ruggedness.
Hi at all,
anyone have make any mods to receive on 143MHz to 144MHz to receive Graves Radar, it woul it very interesting.
VY 73 de IW4ARD