>I have played with "older" Henry amps and I find them NO different in
>operation or even construction then "some of the "cheapest amp known to
>mankind".
>As a matter of fact many of the "cheaper" Amps had more Value per Watt
>and for sure SIZE then the Henry Amps of the same time periods (lets
>talk about the Heath Amps).
Well, again, it depends on what you want to use the amps for.
If you want to really be able to run a full 1500 watts out, you are
pushing it with an SB-220. It's a great amp, we had one in college, but
getting the full legal limit out was not all that easy all the time.
1300 or 1400 yes. 1500 no. And even if you did get out the full limit,
you don't have any headroom above that. Why would a legally operating
ham need the headroom? Well, operating any kind of electronic device
below its maximum rating increases its reliability and life.
Also, the Heath and smaller amps will have serious thermal problems if
you want to do such things as run lotsa RTTY of similar constant carrier
modes through them. They get too hot.
I'd even say that a heavy weekend of big time contesting would make the
amp a bit warm.
The small amps are great for the average station and the average person.
But again, I repeat Dan's point: If you want to be a big gun, don't try
to do it with a small amp. You won't have the reliabilty, headroom,
linearity, etc. Can you have a GOOD amp with a small one, sure. And yes
the value can be outstanding.
That's the great thing about this hobby: you can spend as much or as
little money as you want!
73,
Jon
KE9NA
-------------------------------------
Jon Ogden
KE9NA
http://www.qsl.net/ke9na
"A life lived in fear is a life half lived."
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