Can FR4000 be set to run at 25W?

[LakeMan2]

I currently have a GR1225 running UHF at 25W and it works, as programed, for what I need. There are some program changes I would like to try, but unfortunately I am afraid to modify the program for fear of messing up the only repeater I have. I have read it is possible to brick those if your not careful.

I may have the opportunity to get my hands on a FR4000 which I understand runs 50W continuous. I am considering getting the FR4000 to have a spare (or replace the GR1225) and allow me to mess with either one without fear of being without something. I also don't want to be any "louder" than I have to be, but the FR4000 appears to only have the option of 50W (H) or 10W (L). Is it possible to set it at say 25W?

I have looked at the service manual and I suspect that in order to do that I would have to go into adjustment mode and set either A06 HW POWER (high power) or A06 LW M POWER (low power) to a value that reads ~25W on a power meter.

Is that correct? Is there another way to set/run the FR4000 at 25W?

Thanks

 

[N4GIX]

I looked through the manual's procedures and it sure doesn't give any indication that what you want is possible. Well, not without breaking out the "Golden Screwdriver" at least...

 

[LakeMan2]

I looked through the manual's procedures and it sure doesn't give any indication that what you want is possible. Well, not without breaking out the "Golden Screwdriver" at least...

Thanks, I looked through the manuals and did not see a normal way of doing this either through standard programming. The service manual does suggest that this can be done fairly easily by adjusting the power output for the H or L settings in the software through the service mode. It looks like it could be done without any hardware mod. What I am not sure of is if I adjust the power output through the service mode, will anything else be negatively affected? I have a power meter so I could easily do that, but if I do that I want to avoid needing a complete re-tune at 25W. I do not have the equipment or experience to do a complete re-tune.

Thanks

 

[70cutlass442]

See the attached set mode adjustment. All you need is a watt meter

 

[LakeMan2]

Thank you very much! That looks like a better way to do it rather then through the Adjustment Mode Access. I am not quite sure why you can adjust power in both those places (Set Mode, and Adjustment Mode), but Set Mode looks like it might be a better way of doing what I want.

Just out of curiosity, where did you get that document? I searched the web and still can't find it.

Thanks again!

 

[70cutlass442]

That is directly from Icom. We are a dealer for them and have 20+ FR4000s, some of which are being used with an external PA and requires certain output power to drive the amp. Each repeater is a little different so a power level of lets say 60 may not be the same on another unit, best bet would be to have a watt meter with a dummy load and adjust as desired.

BTW, the FR4000 is a great machine.

 

[LakeMan2]

Thanks again. I did end up getting one. The duplexer is tuned and its programed. Putting it in service this weekend. I am debating if I should get a backup FR4000. As previously mentioned, I have a GR1225 which I was going to regulate as my backup, Not though, I suspect I may find the FR4000 superior and may not want to go back to the GR1225 at all. The place I bought the one as a few more right now so I could pick up another one.

My question is, ICOM dealer aside, any experience or comments on GR1225 vs FR4000? In my research I did not find a lot comparing those two.

 

[ElroyJetson]

I have replaced a LOT of PA modules on the FR3000/FR4000s. The heat sinking is really not adequate on them. I do not recommend running them above 25 watts. They'll do 50...but not for long.

 

[LakeMan2]

I have seen that said a number of times of the PA on the GR1225, but that is the first I have seen that said of the FR3000/4000. I am glad you did though. I planned on running it at 25W anyway, but I was thinking I could run it at 50W if I needed to since it is rated 100% duty cycle at 50W. I guess rated and reliable lifetime are two different things...

 

[70cutlass442]

From a programming and feature standpoint, I really like the FR3/4000. That being said, I too have replaced parts in ours. If you're going to run it at 25 watts you will be just fine. The GR1225 is also not a bad setup, but I would prefer the Icom based on by reasons above. I am also a big Moto fan so no bias here.

 

[LakeMan2]

For what it is worth, I found the Set Mode Adjustment very easy to use. It was easy enough to dial in a different power level. That worked great.

Thanks

 

[W5EVH]

I have replaced a LOT of PA modules on the FR3000/FR4000s. The heat sinking is really not adequate on them. I do not recommend running them above 25 watts. They'll do 50...but not for long.

Is there any better module than the SC-1323 for replacement? I need to replace mine. Any sources?

 

[W5EVH]

Also, would it recommended to switch to the UHF Low band module? 443.300MHz
S-AU27AL (ICOM) / SC-1322

If so, is it a drop in a go or does it require adjustment/alignment?

 

[Project25_MASTR]

The GR1225 is fool proof for the most part. It's regular 1225 RSS. Needs a 32 bit OS to program though. I regularly program them in Windows 7 on my MacBook Pro via a USB serial adapter.

Reminds me of the MSS I did some tower work for once upon a time who had no clue the 1225 RSS was available on Window release…XP no less.


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