ALS 600 ALC - this informative note came with the used ALS 600 amp I purchased.
1. Set radio to FM, RTTY, or CW. 2. Set radio power output to 100W 3. From the point of view of the back of the amplifier, turn the ALC knob on the rear panel fully counter clockwise. 4. Set the knob on the front panel to 0. 5. Make sure the amplifier power is on and in STANDBY. 6. Connect a dummy load to the amplifier or make sure the antenna is tuned in properly. 7. Put amplifier in OPERATE and key up. NOTE : the amplifier should be putting out close to 0 watts. 8. While keyed up, turn the knob on the back panel until the yellow light ALC light just barely starts to flicker. NOTE : at this point, the amplifier is now calibrated to the radio and should be putting out approximately 100 watts. 9. Slowly turn the knob on the front panel until the output power reaches approximately 500 watts.
If you have struggled withe the original method, you will notice that this set of instructions actually contradicts a few steps. One of which is actually reversed! Which is why my results were the opposite result of what I was expecting.
Amazing, I'm not crazy after all!
This was copied and pasted from the original email sent this date so even though you may have a late manufactured amp, (mine was built in 02-2011) this instruction sheet was not included. Good luck, hopefully this will put the confusion to rest.
73's
Bill - W5WDV
******IMPORTANT UPDATE****** Seems Ameritron forgot 1 step with the latest instructions!
10. After completing the above 9 steps, turn the drive DOWN on the exciter or your signal will flattop. I reduced to 35 watts of drive on the Icom 7000 and was still putting out 500 peak clean watts in SSB. Good amplifier, poor instructions. once I dropped the drive down, had a mini pile up with stations telling me how good it sounded vs the flat topped signal.
Adding this step actually puts me back where I started but since it sounds good and clean, I'm done with it.
Good luck to all and remember turn all knobs left until you figure it out!