That does bring up a question I have had for a while. It looks like the ts440 you mentioned doesn't have variable power. Everything I read says it is not good to use the Mic gain to control power. If this is true, wouldn't it be better to adjust the power through the alc jack on the radio and not use the alc with the amp?
Well, on a TS440 you have to use the mic gain to adjust SSB power. ALC jacks are pretty much for amplifiers only, its like a feedback circuit between the radio and the amp to "leash" the radio's output depending on what the amp thinks it is getting for input
power. Also, at some point or another with the amp ALC pot etc, you as the operator basically get to define the boundaries of that leashing system, if you really want to.