Icom IC-746 Faq page 4

3.2 ANTENNAS............................................................................................. 28
3.2.1 What antenna should I use with the IC-746? ................................................... 28
3.2.2 What range can the automatic antenna tuning unit (ATU) handle? ............. 29
3.2.3 Will the internal ATU handle "random" wire antennas? .............................. 29
3.2.4 Will the internal ATU handle "long wire" antennas?..................................... 29
3.2.5 Are there any "tips" to using the ATU? ........................................................... 29
3.2.6 Can I use the internal ATU along with an external ATU? ............................. 29
3.2.7 Does the internal ATU work on receive?.......................................................... 30
3.2.8 Any other "gotchas" with the internal ATU? .................................................. 30
3.2.9 How do I use a "beverage" antenna?................................................................ 31
3.2.10 How do I use different antennas for receive vs. transmit?.............................. 31
Split VFO Method................................................................................................. 31
External Antenna Switcher Method...................................................................... 31
External RF Sense Antenna Preamp Method........................................................ 31
3.2.11 How do I measure SWR while in SSB?............................................................. 31
3.2.12 How do I tune up in CW without a key? .......................................................... 32
3.2.13 What about using an external, automatic, ATU? ............................................ 32
3.2.14 Can the TUNER button activate an external automatic ATU?...................... 33
3.2.15 Why doesn't the rig SWR meter match my external SWR meter?................ 34
3.2.16 Which SWR meter should I trust: internal or external? ................................ 34
3.2.17 How do I repair the detector diodes in the internal ATU? ............................. 35
3.2.18 How do I switch between more than two antenna ports? ............................... 35
3.3 MICROPHONES...................................................................................... 37
3.3.1 What is the best microphone to use with the IC-746? ..................................... 37
3.3.2 Can I hook up a different microphone directly to the IC-746? ...................... 37
3.3.3 Can I use a Heil microphone with the IC-746? ................................................ 38
3.3.4 How do I adjust the IC-746 for a Heil headset?............................................... 38
3.3.5 Do I need a pre-amp to use a Heil microphone? .............................................. 38
3.3.6 What are the pin-outs on the microphone connector? .................................... 39
3.4 KEYERS .................................................................................................. 40
3.4.1 Can I hook my straight key to the front "Elec Key" Jack?............................ 40
3.4.2 Can I connect my own Electronic Keyer to the IC-746?................................. 40
3.4.3 How do I wire up my paddles for use with the internal keyer?...................... 40
FOR A STRAIGHT KEY OR EXTERNAL KEYER:......................................... 40
TO USE THE BUILT IN ELECTRONIC KEYER WITH PADDLES: .............. 40
3.4.4 Can I use the internal and external keyers at the same time? ........................ 41
3.5 AMPLIFIERS ........................................................................................... 42
3.5.1 How do I hook up an Icom IC-PW1 RF power amplifier? ............................. 42
3.5.2 What if I hook up more than just an IC-PW1?................................................ 42
3.5.3 How do I hook up a non-Icom RF power amplifier?....................................... 43
3.5.4 Do I really need an external amplifier switching relay? ................................. 43
3.5.5 Why do I need an external amplifier switching relay?.................................... 43
3.5.6 My SEND relay seems to be stuck, what do I do? ........................................... 47
3.5.7 Where can I get an external switching relay? .................................................. 47
IC-746 FAQ
Page 4 of 113
2003-02-08