First Contact

I finished off the 10 meter dipole today at work in hopes of getting on the Austin 410 Shotgun Net (28.410.0 MHz), unfortunately things did not go my way. I was able to listen in, but my transmissions weren't getting anywhere. Eventually I was able to make a couple partial transmissions which where picked up, but nothing that I could maintain.

I called Net Control, John (KB0SPM), who figured that the problem was either with my mic or that the power supply just wasn't up to the task. He offered to loan me a 7 amp power supply and another mic to test out and see if either was the root of the problem.

I first tried the mic but had the same result.

Hooking up the 7 amp power supply, I was in business. John was able to copy my transmissions, but says that it wasn't the clearest audio. Adjusting the mic gain on the TS-440 helped a little, but not much. I could hear how bad I sounded, and figure that there might be something inside the case that may need fixing.

I should also check the volume nob--it seems to be a bit temperamental--and see if there is supposed to be a back-light on the power meter. If so, I'll have to replace it. Good thing there were two spare lights in the box when I bought it.

For John (KB0SPM). I found the link to the .pdf of the 440's manual:
Kenwood TS-440S Manual