I'm happy with my TS2000x. I normally run it from either the shack
or remotely at the office from a laptop. I have extended a mic and
speaker there. It actually allows me to make adjustments from either
point, as all of the controls make software adjustments. Vol, Sq,
whatever, it doesn't matter. If I touch the remote control it takes
over control. If I touch the face control, it takes over. So you
can have the radio mounted in the back at a comfortable position with
a Multi-mode controller and keyer, and a control head up front. I
have not tried dual control like that with the remote head though,
but it controls from a dedicated RJ45 serial port alongside the
RS232C PC port. I have used the radio mounted up front in the van
from a laptop back in the trailer, but not for CW.

Oddly enough, there is only one transmitter active at a time,
although it has a main and sub-band. But if you have packet or
pactor on one band unit, you can still operate on the other band, as
the TNC will wait until you are finished talking before sending a
packet on the other band. Just the ticket for APRS on the road. It
has a built in packet TNC for DX cluster, and it is usable as a
packet station but I have never used it as I had a PK232mbx from the
start.

The only drawback is 2.6 amps in RX Squelched! This seems high for a
rig on batteries, but it is great for a coach with either Solar or
autostart generator. I suspect the DSP and controllers are always
active and this will be the norm for most new rigs with bells and
whistles. It brings air in from under the front panel and out the
rear around the cables and all heat sinking is internal. Because of
this, the fan will kick on even in RX.

wrote in message
oups.com...

Gary S. wrote:
On 24 Feb 2005 07:41:40 -0800, wrote:

wrote:


It's larger than the current crop of very popular mobile xcvrs
like
the
IC-706 which were designed for underdash installations. But RVs
are
usually not as cramped for installation space as are cars &
small
trucks so an FT-847 would likely "fit"OK. The major advantages
of
the

In an RV installation, there may not be sufficient air
circulation
around the rig.

Depends on how/where the equipment is installed.

It would also makes sense to add extra cooling fans for the space
where all this is installed, essentially the way that rack
mounted
electronics have a second level of cooling fans beyond what what
each
component has.

If xcvrs are installed in open-air spaces like under dashes or on
desktops, which is usually the case with ham rigs in RVs there
shouldn't be any particular need for additional fans. My 847
internal
fan very seldom kicks in when the rig is used on a desktop even
when
running high duty cycle CW and I don't see why the fan would run
any
more in an underdash installation. But stuff any 100W xcvr into
some
close-fitting blind cubbyhole there better be a second fan which
forces
air through the cubbyhole "or else".

You cannot run electronics too cool.

I could not agree more - but within common sense limits.


Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

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