I didn't notice the failure for a while, since I was still making contacts at 2W.??
Note two failure indications for anyone else with low power:
- Higher current before transmission (although Hans may change the firmware and remove the anomaly that the PA transistors are powered? in the initial receive prior to the first transmission.)
- Lower power.
On investigation I saw a smaller signal on the Q503/Q505 than Q504/Q506.? Then I noticed Q506 was warmer than the others.
Cause: Two possibilities (1) SWR transients during my autotuner finding a match (2) did I try to transmit without an antenna or dummy load ( I don't recall doing this, but maybe).??
Hans:? A low power mode for tuning would be useful.? I thought about dropping the supply voltage during tuning With diodes switched in series with my 12v supply but then I worry about the transient to full voltage. I think 4 or 5 diodes would drop the power to 2.5w.? Any thoughts?
