Wow, easy guys, I didn't mean to start anything.
I would never put an instrument at risk, don't have that kinda money to risk, nor am I that crazy. I've read several posts where experienced users have stated you can , as well as the manual. I was just looking for an informed first hand user that could help.
Any amp can be tuned period, some just require adding tunable devices and checking components. Ever see balancing resistors get hot when things aren't balanced, then some just install a larger watt resistor to mask the imbalance rather than finding the problem. When things are tuned well for the band of use, SWR is low, components don't get hot or as hot. Keeping in mind your not over driving the piss out of it chasing a watt meter needle. Same can be done with the TS line, which are notorious for having the tune on the high side, or lets say are a little more sensitive on the installs.
Lets just say my analyzer doesn't even get close to a hook up if I think someone might key nearby with some RF. I have no idea what it takes to smoke one, but I've read enough stories on static and RF unexpectedly taking a unit out. True or not I'm not taking the risk till I know for sure.
But thanks for your helpful opinions
Ever see balancing resistors get hot when things aren't balanced, then some just install a larger watt resistor to mask the imbalance rather than finding the problem.
The balance resistors don't get hot because it needs "TUNED'?
Maybe the correct term would be "REPAIRED".
When things are tuned well for the band of use, SWR is low, components don't get hot or as hot.
What "THINGS" are you speaking of?
Same can be done with the TS line, which are notorious for having the tune on the high side, or lets say are a little more sensitive on the installs.
Not sure what that means.
I am less familiar with "LAYMENS" terms.
I have looked at almost the entire TS line and find no "TUNING" devices present.
There are no variable capacitors and no variable inductors with which to "TUNE" the amplifier.
There is no "TUNING" required and that function is not available.
They might be malfunctioning and need to be repaired but that is a different subject.
I see that some have a variable resistor for the purpose of increasing or reducing the output power or allowing a wider range of power inputs from the driving source.
For the purpose of balancing the cascaded stages into a combiner transformer I would use something as simple as a high imedance voltmeter that would respond to the frequency of interest.
Maybe you could construct one with some 1N34a diodes and a used Smeter pulled from a useless radio.
This should be utitlized in the differential input mode.
I would mount the diodes and resistor attenuation network along with alligator clips with very short leads all to the terminals of the Smeter indicating device.
If so constructed then with the proper spacing of the clips to correspond to the attachments points on the resistor and the proper stiffness of wire from the constructed assembly to the clip leads it would then be self-supporting and allow hands-off measuring and viewing and would be consistent with differential mode measurements.
I believe that you would want the meter to be full scale when there is a 500mv vrms (or less) level across the balance resistor.
(this amount of sensitivity would allow for viewing of voltage differences of the two output stages you are trying to balance to at least a 50 mv or less difference)
This would require a meter movement with at least 500 uamp sensitivity to minimize circuit loading.
This would require a 1k ohm resistor.
You are only going to be able to balance the cascaded circuits with the amplifier operating at a sufficient level of output so as to approach the conditions that are present in normal use.
