Hello Stevo:

Yep most ham amps use the RCA Jacks/Plugs for the PTT and AGC inputs.

The guy down the road has a Amertron Amp, uses two 3CX800's and pegs the
Bird Wattmeter with a 2500 watt slug on all the bands, driving it with a
older Icom.

The PTT is pretty simple, usually the rig supplies a ground for the AMP
to key when you key the mic.

The AGC voltage is supplied by the rig, to throttle back the amp and
keep it from going open loop nutzoid, and sounding better. Some of the
Icom rigs have to had the AGC Voltage turned down a little as the AGC
Voltage was way too much, causing the amp to turn off more than it should.

I played with a Icom 746 PRO and it was able thru its digital I.F.
processor in the receiver to attenuate stations on USB, while monitoring
LSB, allowing the LSB stations to be heard, pretty impressive. Usually I
would have to swing the Moonraker 4 or 6 around to attenuate the
stations on USB. So the Icom 746 PRO and a good beam will kick A$$.

The 720A and that Collins 30L1 on the Interceptor 10K ought to hum
pretty well, breaker breaker.

Jay in the Mojave


Steveo wrote:
Jay in the Mojave wrote:

Hello John:

How do you know the RCA Female Connector is throwing you off?

I have used RCA Connectors for antennas, not a problem!

Jay in the Mojave


Hi Jay.

I need a recommendation for hooking up my new/used Icom 720A to my
Collins 30L1. It should be fairly straight-forward but there is the AGC and
stuff to consider. This will be my back up rig but I want it to be right,
gawd damit!

Those are those rca jacks, things again, right?