TS 830 Power Reduction

[VK5FBAC]

How do i reduce the output power?

[KO6WB]

For the CW operations you would turn the CAR control down to the power output you want. This is after you have properly tuned the TS-830S up for transmit.
For SSB you would usually lower the MIC control so that the loudest sound will equal the power output you want. If something louder occurrs the TS-830 will put out more power then what you adjusted for. This would be a problem if you live near a jet engine testing factory. Another method is to use an external voltage supplied to the ALC connection. This would be a negative voltage and you need to vary it from 0 to about -6Vdc. Putting a single tone to the microphone that would be equal to or louder than your speaking voice and key the rig. Adjust the external ALC voltage until it equals the power output you want.
I'm wondering what power level you're wanting to use?
Hope this helps
73
Gary

[VK5TM]

Australian 'F' calls (Foundation license) are limited to 10W, so that's what he'll be wanting.
Bloody ridiculous, but thems the laws.

Terry VK5TM

[N1JGE]

I thought for sure there would be a bunch of replies on this one. I don't see how turning down the mic control will reduce actual power out. I'm only guessing but I would of said reducing the load and redipping the plate but I'm not sure.

[KD8OW]

i use the negative voltage on the external alc connection to run my TS-530s at QRP levels. A 9volt battery and a potentiometer.

Bill

method contained here
http://www.radiomods.co.nz/kenwood/kenwoodts520.html

[WB2WIK]

I thought for sure there would be a bunch of replies on this one. I don't see how turning down the mic control will reduce actual power out. I'm only guessing but I would of said reducing the load and redipping the plate but I'm not sure.

You're right, it doesn't do that well at all. Turning down the mike gain starves everything that follows it and provides no peak limiting at all, leading to a very "undermodulated" sounding signal that might be S9 on voice peaks and S1 on average.

Using externally applied ALC (negative) voltage works much better.

[KA9JLM]

i use the negative voltage on the external alc connection to run my TS-530s at QRP levels. A 9volt battery and a potentiometer.

Bill

method contained here
http://www.radiomods.co.nz/kenwood/kenwoodts520.html

That sounds like a good way to go if you disconnect the battery when not in use.

The battery is being drained continuously the way it is connected.
Adding a switch would be useful.

You could maybe just use the Driver tube if you only need QRP power.

[WB2WIK]

That sounds like a good way to go if you disconnect the battery when not in use.

The battery is being drained continuously the way it is connected.
Adding a switch would be useful.

You could maybe just use the Driver tube if you only need QRP power.

Actually using a 9V battery with a 1 Meg potentiometer only draws 9 microamps continuously; I think the battery will last about as long as its "shelf life" with such low drain -- and that's about all you need. The ALC input doesn't draw any current of its own, it just needs a voltage source, and it's a very high impedance input.

I've done this with an old TS-820S years ago and a 9V "Energizer" lasted at least a year without ever disconnecting it.

[KM1H]

I have an 830 that drives a 6M transverter (modified P&H 6-150) on the amp conversion bench that needs a lot more RF than available at the xvtr output and have been using the battery for about 15 years with only a few replacements.

Carl

[KA9JLM]

I have an 830 that drives a 6M transverter (modified P&H 6-150) on the amp conversion bench that needs a lot more RF than available at the xvtr output and have been using the battery for about 15 years with only a few replacements.

Carl

That is cool Carl.

I know a lot of the transverters use a lower input.

I wonder how Linear and clean the output is ?

I have a 520 and 830 and never really needed to reduce the power so low.