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Message |
    
Fusebreaker
Junior Member
Username: Fusebreaker
Post Number: 49
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 3:09 pm: | 
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can some one tell me if the power can be turned up on an icom 2100h it puts out 55 watts stock can i get 60 or 65 watts out of it with out killing it i have the VR to adjust i just wanted to hear some feedback to this before i try it.The extra 5 to 10 watts might make a difference when on the fringe of a repeater. |
Hollowpoint445
Intermediate Member
Username: Hollowpoint445
Post Number: 465
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 - 8:00 am: |
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I don't think I ever run my mobile on anything except the low setting - 5 watts. Just sitting here at my computer I can key about a dozen 2M repeaters with my handheld on low - about 0.5 watts.
Repeaters generally have very good antenna placement, and if you can't hit that antenna with 55 watts, 60 or 65 isn't going to help.
If you live in an area with lots of hills and poor coverage maybe you should get an amplifier or a better mobile antenna. |
Stickshift
Intermediate Member
Username: Stickshift
Post Number: 229
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, July 01, 2005 - 10:48 am: |
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Not sure how you'd get an extra 5 or 10 watts out of that rig. I do know that if you plan on moddding that rig for more power output, you better check into running a fan with it. The 2100's create plenty of heat as it is. I generally don't like running mine on full power for more than 10 minutes because the chasis gets so hot. And as hollowpoint said, and extra 5 or 10 watts isn't going to make any noticeable difference any way, except for probably short-living the finals. If you are wanting more power, your best bet would be to save yourself and your radio a lot of trouble and step up to an icom v8000. That radio already boasts 75 watts of output power plus a fan to boot. The other option would be to get youself an amplifier. Also, what are you using for an antenna? If it's only a 1/4, then there are much cheaper and better alternatives to both suggestions I've givin you. I use a tram 5/8 wave mounted on the center of my roof with a 2100 and work repeaters over 60 miles regularly. The tram is very similar to larsens, and at $13, it can't be beat.
hope this helps |
Fusebreaker
Member
Username: Fusebreaker
Post Number: 51
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2005 - 8:04 pm: |
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im using a 5/8 2m/440 lakeview it gives 3.7 db on 2 meters and 6.7 db on 440 it works great.i use a jpole for the base it works good too.i think ill leave the radio stock and buy a 160 watt mirage amp and run it at 120 watts.55 watts is plenty but sometime need more when on the edge of a repeater or talking simplex.What happened to the amps that copper had for 2 meters? |
Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808
Post Number: 6230
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, July 02, 2005 - 9:10 pm: |
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Fusebreaker,
Try the LINK Below for the KLV Ham Amplifier Model's:
KLV VLA 100 145-150 MHz Ham
KLV V ULA 50 Dual Band Ham
KLV VLA 200V 145-150 MHz Ham
KLV VLA 200 145-150 MHz Ham
KLV ULA 50 420-443 MHz Ham
KLV HAM AMPLIFIERS
Hope this help's,
Lon
Tech808
CEF808
N9OSN
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Fusebreaker
Member
Username: Fusebreaker
Post Number: 56
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 3:43 pm: |
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Ok i anwserd my own question i did some research and found a forum that said you can get 70 watts out of this radio if you run a fan but im not going to turn mine up to 70 watts that seems to high asking for trouble i will settle with 60 watts not that it will make a real big difference though. |
Twowatt
New member
Username: Twowatt
Post Number: 3
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 06, 2005 - 5:31 pm: |
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i would suggest turning it down to 25 watts and get a klv, mirage, etc, 200w amp and 5/8 antenna. the 2100 will run cooler, last longer and if u need the xtra 9db, turn on the amp and u got it. 73s |
Slugo4449
Junior Member
Username: Slugo4449
Post Number: 38
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, July 10, 2005 - 6:57 pm: |
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I agree with most of the people here. I have an IC-2100h and it does fine on all repeaters and also simplex.
I think the way you should really go around this is to actually work on antenna gain. Lots of things you can do and learn as you go.
There is a mod that I did to my IC-2100h. I was getting reports of static and noise as I transmitted and then I started to also hear it on receive.
Here is the mod:
After you own this radio for a while it will develope a crackling sound in the speaker on transmit. It can also be heard on your signal over the air.
Here is the fix:
(Warning! Do this at your own risk. This may void your Icom warranty.)
Remove the four screws that holds the cover on. You will see a bunch of 3mm screws that holds down the main board to the case. Loosen all the screws and then re-tighten them.
The noise will go away. If you want to get really fancy you can attach #4 star washers under each screw.
Also with the display facing you, there will be two holes on the left side of the circuit board. Place a #4 3/8 self tapping sheet metal screw in each hole. Not only will this make the noise go away, it will improve your quality of modulation. People will notice if you have been working them for awhile.
That extra 5 watts that you are looking for will not do much for your transmit.
The biggest problem people have on VHF and UHF is that they use lossy coaxial cable. With cable like RG-58u and RG-8x you are not only losing out on the transmitt but also your receive. IF you are running this radio mobile I wouldn't even use RG-58 but I would at least use RG-8x because of the short run.
If you are using this as a base:
Change the cable to a less loss type on VHF and UHF and get an antenna that has gain. Good luck. |
Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob
Post Number: 2038
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, July 11, 2005 - 6:10 am: |
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To get 1/2 s-unit increase from your rig on someone elses radio you'd have to double it's output,to do this to drive a high powered amp would be the only reason in my mind,but nobody but you will notice the power increase,I agree with Twowatt turn it down and drive an amp of at least 120watts then you'll blow their ears off.Bigbob |
Stickshift
Intermediate Member
Username: Stickshift
Post Number: 235
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Monday, July 11, 2005 - 3:12 pm: |
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That radio doesn't need to be turned down. At medium power the radio does 10 watts out which will drive many amplifiers. But If you wanted to run the rig on high output and save on the finals, it wouldn't hurt to run the power back. If you're going to run an amplifier, don't forget to use a good preamp. All the power output in the world won't do you any good if the receiver isn't hearing the other stations.
Slugo4449's advice of using low loss coax is the first thing that youy should look into. Especially with a mobile setup where you aren't going to have a very long run of feedline. Spend a few extra bucks and use good coax. It'll pay off. Also that mod that he suggested works if you should ever experience crackling problems with the TX audio in the future. I had the same problem, as well as others, with my rig after owning it a few months. This simple mod fixed it.
Also, as you posted on another part of the forum, the 2200 looks the same as the 2100. That is not the case with the internals of the two radios. The 2200 has a different amplifier circuit than the 2100. It's built differently and allows for more ouput power than the 2100's. I wouldn't waste my time trying to squeeze 5 or 10 extra watts out of the 2100. That's just asking for trouble and the finals won't last long. |
