[Amps] Icom 746 Pro / AL-80B relay keying concern

Charlie ad5th at direcway.com
Sat Jan 29 23:32:55 EST 2005


Using an ICOM 746 Pro with an AL-80B amp. According to their respective 
manuals the AL-80B sources +12vdc at 100mA and the 746Pro can sink a max of 
+16vdc at 500mA.

QUESTION:
Do I need an amplifier keying buffer according to the above specs?  My 
research shows primarily these devices are for new rigs keying older amps. 
The Icom site recommends an interface for "all non-Icom amplifiers" but in 
the case of the above specs it appears to me there is already a 4 volt and a 
400mA "buffer" of sorts.  The demands of the 80B are well inside the 
capabilities of the 746 Pro. Right?

I'm not trying to save $50 or so but if the specs are right I don't need it. 
My rig is new and I have about 300 qsos so far which amount to at least 
1000+ successful amp keying events.

Charlie
Ham Radio - AD5TH
www.ad5th.com
Live Blues Music
www.492acousticblues.com







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