Mirage BD-35 with TH-F6A

[Rodney Dalton Goff]

Hello all
Has anyone used this combination with either of the tri-band antennas.
I ordered the BD-35 today, and the dealer was not sure if the BD-35
would allow a 220 transmission to be by-passed to the antenna when the
amp is switched off. The BD-35 is 2M and 440 only. Sure would
appreciate any information.
Thanks
Rod

[N***@public.gmane.org]

HI, I have found over the years that when an amp is turned off
the relay (s) are in their normal position (at rest) and should pass anything.
EX: I use a 440 amp in my car. I have a dual band there also. I can use 2 meters with the amp off without a problem. Just make sure the amp is OFF when on 220. Check it with an power / swr meter. I think you will be OK.
73, Mark N2FLF



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[Rod Goff]

Hello again... I will answer my own question and maybe save someone from
making the same mistake I did. I received the BD-35 Amp today and my fears
came true.

If you are using the TH-F6A with a tri-band antenna, and insert the Mirage
BD-35 between them, 2 meters and 440 will work great with the Amp on or off.
BUT, even with the amplifier power off, a 220 mhz signal will not pass
through to the antenna.

MFJ makes an RF Bypass coax switch (MFJ-1705) but it's only rated up to 60
MHZ. So, guess I will be swapping coaxes when I need the amplifier, until I
find a UHF equivalent for the MFJ.

Would appreciate any ideas.

Rod
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rodney Dalton Goff" <wb3fch-***@public.gmane.org>
To: <TH-F6A-***@public.gmane.org>
Sent: Monday, April 17, 2006 8:26 PM
Subject: [TH-F6A] Mirage BD-35 with TH-F6A

Post by Rodney Dalton Goff
Hello all
Has anyone used this combination with either of the tri-band antennas.
I ordered the BD-35 today, and the dealer was not sure if the BD-35
would allow a 220 transmission to be by-passed to the antenna when the
amp is switched off. The BD-35 is 2M and 440 only. Sure would
appreciate any information.
Thanks
Rod
Yahoo! Groups Links

[N2PPN]

A pair of Triplexers and a pair of duplexers would do the trick, but
it is way too expensive to do...

The triplexers go between the radio and antenna, the 220 leads get
connected together to bypass the BD-35 amp completely, the two other
leads from each triplexer go into a 2m/70cm duplexer to create a
single duplexed lead into and out from the amp.
It works, and there will be some insertion loss, but if you have
some/most/all of theses components laying around, you can make it work.

Good luck,

Rich
N2PPN

[Rod Goff]

Rich
Thanks for the info, and you are right, it is too expensive. The 4 pieces
total up to $300, the price of the F6A. I checked AES for the prices.

Since you sure seem familiar with the concept, what do you think about my
using a pair of 2 position coax switches, either Daiwa or Workman that go to
600 MHZ? I could route the F6A to input of Switch 1, the tri-band antenna
to the input of switch 2 Side A of both switches could connect with a short
patch cord. Side B of both switches could go to the appropriate amplifier
connections. To Operate 220, I could turn the amp off, turn both switches
to Side A. For 2M and 440, Go to side B on the switches.

Although both these switches apply ground to the unswitched poles, I cant
believe it would hurt the Amplifier to have both the SO239 connections
grounded when power is not on.

But, I am often wrong... What do you think? and I sure appreciate your time

Rod WB3FCH in West VA

----- Original Message -----
From: "N2PPN" <n2ppn-mtnrBnunI+8dnm+***@public.gmane.org>
To: <TH-F6A-***@public.gmane.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 23, 2006 11:51 AM
Subject: [TH-F6A] Re: Mirage BD-35 with TH-F6A

Post by N2PPN
A pair of Triplexers and a pair of duplexers would do the trick, but
it is way too expensive to do...
The triplexers go between the radio and antenna, the 220 leads get
connected together to bypass the BD-35 amp completely, the two other
leads from each triplexer go into a 2m/70cm duplexer to create a
single duplexed lead into and out from the amp.
It works, and there will be some insertion loss, but if you have
some/most/all of theses components laying around, you can make it work.
Good luck,
Rich
N2PPN
Yahoo! Groups Links

[N2PPN]

It will work, just include a safeguard to insure that you don't
transmit on 220 when the switches are in the amplifier position, or
when both switches are not in the same position (ie amp or bypass)
a cheaper alternative, but it will work.

Too bad someone doesn't make a tri-band amplifier for 2M, 1.25M, 70CM.
It probably would be too expensive to design/manufacture/sell to be
worth it for someone to sell.

Rich
N2PPN

[Rod Goff]

Thanks Rich, for the assurance.
My safeguard is as follows: I will mount the switches on a board with the
following rules:
For 220 ----- 1. Amp Off ...2. Both switches to position 1
For 2/440----1. Amp On.....2..Both switches to position 2

I agree, you would think someone would build such an amplifier, even if the
cost was the same price as the TH-F6A. I think they would sell. I know I
would have bought one, and my resources are limited.

Thanks again, and I wonder if you have ever had the comment on your call,
that everytime I see it, I think of transistors..

73 and I will report back to the group how it works. The switches should be
here by Thursday.
Rod

----- Original Message -----
From: "N2PPN" <n2ppn-mtnrBnunI+8dnm+***@public.gmane.org>
To: <TH-F6A-***@public.gmane.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 5:49 AM
Subject: [TH-F6A] Re: Mirage BD-35 with TH-F6A

Post by N2PPN
It will work, just include a safeguard to insure that you don't
transmit on 220 when the switches are in the amplifier position, or
when both switches are not in the same position (ie amp or bypass)
a cheaper alternative, but it will work.
Too bad someone doesn't make a tri-band amplifier for 2M, 1.25M, 70CM.
It probably would be too expensive to design/manufacture/sell to be
worth it for someone to sell.
Rich
N2PPN
Yahoo! Groups Links

[Rod Goff]

Hello again
I received and installed two coax switches, rated at 500 MHz so I could use
the TH-F6A with the BD-35 Amp (2 M & 440) I can now by-pass the amp when
using 220. It works great and I see no measurable loss due to the switches.

Now I love my TH-F6A even more

Rod

Post by N***@public.gmane.org
Yahoo! Groups Links

[R. Crisafulli]

Hi,
I currently own the Kenwood TH-K2AT 2m HT and I'm very pleased with it. I'm looking to buy the F6A and I'm curious if any F6A owners also own the K2AT as it appears that they both use the same cable (but different software) for programming the radios. Can anyone confirm this? Also, can anyone comment on the 2m performance of the F6A vs. the K2AT? Thanks for any info!

KB1MCS - Rich

[Smartlock.Pro]

Rod?

The switch business may well work but it aint nice.

I used to have three switches switching one antenna between three
radios in two rooms.

It all worked absolutely fine until it didn't!

I got sick of transmitting 50w VHF straight up the scanner and ripped them
all out.

Regards

[Rod Goff]

Smartlock

I agree that it is not pretty because I mounted the 2 switches at the bottom
of my window sill. But,,, It was the only way I could think of to be able
to use the amplifier on 440 where it is necessary, and to be able to use 220
since the amplifier nulls out the signal even when no power is on the amp.
Only alternative was to unplug and replug 2 coax cables which is a pain.
Other than using two triplexers and 2 duplexers (about $300), I could not
think of any other way.

Do you have any better alternatives?? I would love to hear them.

What was the problem when yours quit working? Was it the switches?

Thanks
Rod WB3FCH

----- Original Message -----
From: "Smartlock.Pro" <smartlock.pro-J1btbF6uMEmsTnJN9+***@public.gmane.org>
To: <TH-F6A-***@public.gmane.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 03, 2006 3:04 PM
Subject: Re: [TH-F6A] Mirage BD-35 with TH-F6A

Post by Smartlock.Pro
Rod?
The switch business may well work but it aint nice.
I used to have three switches switching one antenna between three
radios in two rooms.
It all worked absolutely fine until it didn't!
I got sick of transmitting 50w VHF straight up the scanner and ripped them
all out.
Regards
Yahoo! Groups Links

[Smartlock.Pro]

""What was the problem when yours quit working? Was it the switches?""

I did find one intermittent switch caused by a loose screw on the contactor
but that was only found as a byproduct of using it elsewhere. Funny thing is
it was the one between rooms so that probably got the least use, just once
into and once out of the shack daily.

I had already
binned the system due to my own failure to remember to switch 'em.

The switches weren't exactly expensive and did get some moderately heavy use
but I dare say even the best ones will give after a while.

I was using mine between a scanner, a vhf/uhf and the vhf/ssb side of my 706
then
switching to the next room after shutting down the shack. With other radio's
being plumbed in intermittently it was not unheard of for me to hook up the
wrong hose and connect one rig straight to another.

With that much switching I was just asking for problems. If you reckon a
switch
has a gauranteed life of say 5000 switching actions and you do ten a day
thats a life of only 1 1/2 years (ish), and thats only in a perfect world.

Your system sounds much simpler than mine and the switches may well be
better quality so you'll probably have few if any mechanical problems just
make sure you remeber to switch right before you tx coz a handies PA
won't be as bomb proof as the rigs I was using.

Regards



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