Power Limitation Modes and RF Power Settings

Subject: Power Limitation Modes and RF Power Settings Fri Oct 25, 2024 10:06 am

Hello all,

Back to the hobby after a considerable break. So a bit of a learning curve.

Can I ask what might be a daft question?

I have a president Washington radio. Ticks all my boxes, and so far getting pretty good results. My confusion comes with the power modes and RF power.

In the main menu there are 3 power settings, under the power restrictions option. These, according to the manual relate to 4w, 10w, and no restriction. Simple enough.

But, there is also an option to increase RF power, via another menu. (PTT, and use the menu dial). This clearly increases the ‘output’ as the amps drawn metre on my power supply goes up and down in correlation to this setting.

What is the difference, if any, between these setting? The 3 power limitations make no difference to the amps drawn, but the RF power does. The default, out of the box, RF power was set to 1, and power limitations was set to no restrictions.

Thanks in advance for help and guidance from those with significantly more knowledge than me, which is most of you!

Paul.

Hi Paul,

I have the new President Washington that is 80w max on the 10 & 12 metre bands.
(It can be expanded for 11m)
Is this the same radio you have, or is it an older model?

Deb

Thanks for the response. It’s a new ‘expanded’ version. 10, 11, 12 m, and uk forty.

Hi Paul,
Okay, same as mine.
I'm going up to the shack later this morning and I'll check out the menus.
But as far as I recall, there's a power meter (on transmit) that on mine goes all the way across for full 80w PEP on SSB
The antenna I use for 10m is a T2LT (coaxial dipole) up at 12 metres.

Deb

If you pop it on to FM, PTT, then press the right hand channel sector wheel once, then rf power comes up, dialing back and forth between 1-10.

Thanks for you help and comments.

Excerpts from the manual...

This one is the main power adjustment:

4) CHANNEL SELECTOR ~ RF POWER
CHANNEL SELECTOR
- Turn the rotary CH knob (4) to move up or down a channel. A beep sound
is emitted each time the channel is changed if the KEY BEEP function is
activated (see KEY BEEP function on page 13).
See § UP/DN BUTTONS ON MICROPHONE page 11.
The display shows the corresponding frequency.
- A long press (3 seconds) on this button (4) allows entering the MENU.
- A short press on this button (4) validates the settings in the MENU.
RF POWER (combination 18 + 4)
In TX mode, increase/decrease the output power.
- Press and hold the PTT switch (18).
- Press CH (4) buttons. «RF POWER» is displayed.
- Turn the rotary CH knob (4) to adjust the level using the bargraph.

This one limits power in case of external linear amp use (or I assme licence restrictions.)

27)POWER LIMITATION
If a power amplifier is used, this function limits the output power of your
radio.
Long Press PUSH key (4) to enter the MENU. is displayed.
1. Turn the CH rotary knob (4) or use the UP/DN keys (19) on the microphone
to select the POWER LIMITATION the menu.
2. Press the PUSH key (4). The current setting flashes in the display.
3. Turn the CH rotary knob (4) or use the UP/DN keys (19) on the microphone
to select OF, A4, A0
4. Press the PUSH button (4) again to validate. The value stops flashing. a)
Go back to point 1 to set another function or b) Press the PTT key (18) to
validate and exit the MENUS. disappears from the display.
5. If no key is pressed, the device exits the MENUS after 10 seconds. disappears from the display.
OF no power limitation
A4 power limited to 4 W
A0 power limited to 10 W

Hope this helps

Deb

https://president-electronics.com/cache/documents/product/washingtonenv0.25advanceduserguide-857.pdf

What I don’t understand is the interaction between the 2 options.

Example. If I was on power limitation to say 4watts, what does the RF power option do? Is that a percentage of the 4w? (Choosing between 1-10).

I don’t see why they have two options.

The default was 1, and in that mode the power limitations seem to do little if anything.

My older sets usually just had a ‘hi -low’ switch for power.

Thanks for your time in replying.

Chunky22 wrote:: What I don’t understand is the interaction between the 2 options.

Thanks for your time in replying.

This is how I understand it.

The power limitation option is only if you want to lock the power out to a certain level in case of driving an external power amplifier. (or I assume licence restrictions)

If neither apply to you, set that one to off (OF) and leave it there.

That should now allow you to adjust the power using the PTT and ch knob whilst in transmit - 1-10 on the scale which I'm guessing is 0 to 80w. I keep mine to maximum all the time.

TIP - Don't use full power for long QSOs if you don't have the optional fans installed.

Deb

Thanks Deb.

I sort of get it that you are wondring if the power adjustment (PTT + ch knob) still works in the 4w or 10w options i.e. 1w-4w or 1w-10w. When I'm in the shack, I'll pop the rig on my power meter and let you know.

Deb

Okay, here's the answer I think you are looking for...

With the limit set at either 4w or 10w, the tx power adjustment using the PTT + ch knob does still work to adjust the tx power up to those limited outputs - 1-10 on the scale

With the limit set to off (no limit) the tx power adjust using PTT and ch knob adjusts the power up to maximum 80w - scale 1-10.

Deb

Thank you. You’ve been very helpful.

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