Hi, Ken,
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There is/will be a pigtail that runs from the conditioner to the radio. It simply was installed when these photos were taken.
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The active device is a low dropout adjustable regulator that will do 3A.?
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I use my 718 with internal batteries all the time, however just not for very long. You can suck 'em dry in a few hours depending on your operating style and mode of operation. This allows for an external power source that you can adjust to 10 V or so, that way the 718 won't get upset with higher input voltages, the heat ends up in the rear heatsink. ?The 718 will be much happier with 10V input.
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Or flip the switch and get full 13.8V ?to recharge the internal batteries or go full hog with 5 W of RF.
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Of course there is built in over current protection as well as reverse polarity protection. The new version has over voltage protection, too
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Mike WB8VGE
