On my Rams, I go 10 less than idle for a start pulse. Get it to run, look at the idle pw, then shut down and set the start pw 10 less. One of mine (a 1000) pops at idle also. I dont run it at night so it doesnt bother me

. As far as the shutdown, If it was a deliberate transmiter shutdown, it would display TXSHUTDN, I do not know what the message you have means.
Anthony