[Amps] FL-2100 Grid Metering

[Tom W8JI]

> Having played with this a bit now on 20 meters I find that 
> dipping
> the plate and loading for maximum power output for a given 
> exciter
> setting is coincident with about 85 ma of grid current. 
> Additional
> loading does drop the output power slightly but also 
> increases the
> grid current.  I could easily exceed 100 ma with a 
> relatively small
> amount of added loading.  I have read several comments 
> that one
> should advance the loading beyond maximum power output to 
> reduce the
> grid current, however in this case the opposite is 
> occurring.
> Perhaps this is why Yaesu did not include grid metering 
> and advises
> dip and load for max plate current provided that it does 
> not exceed
> 0.5 A.


I think you have that backwards Gordon.  :-)

When you use less capacitance you are INCREASING loading, or 
loading heavier.

When you use more capacitance you are decreasing the 
loading, or coupling lighter.

Over loading or over coupling or increasing the loading past 
the optimum coupling point will always reduce grid current. 
Under loading or under coupling or decreasing coupling will 
always increase grid current and is tough on the amplifier 
tank components.

73 Tom