Amps
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [Amps] Tuned Input - IMD and efficiency

To: "'Tony King - W4ZT'" <amps071806@w4zt.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Tuned Input - IMD and efficiency
From: "Larry Carman" <lncarman@swbell.net>
Date: Tue, 8 Aug 2006 11:14:52 -0500
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Tony, I'm with you on this one. 
I'm definitely not an electronic engineer and that's why I bring up
questions that may seem very simple to lots of the knowledgeable people on
this forum. I've not found any conclusive data although I believe a tuned
input does decrease IMD products to a degree. I'd like to know how much
improvement can be expected in different scenarios with the use of tuned
input. I have a 3cx3000 amp that drives as easily without tuned input as it
does with it but I'm reluctant to operate the 3000 without tuned input
because of previous warnings from forums such as this.  I'm aware that many
cathode driven tubes don't match to the solid state transceivers as readily
as the 3000 and need tuned inputs to satisfy there need for closer matching.
It seems that most people use the pi network input for matching and ( I
guess ) to deter unwanted IMD to a degree. Are there other tuned input
circuits that work as well for matching cathode driven tubes and reducing
IMD products better than the pi and uses commonly available components?
Would using a swamped grid input be comparable to cathode input when
considering  IMDs out?
Regards,
Larry N5BIP

-----Original Message-----
From: amps-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Tony King - W4ZT
Sent: Tuesday, August 08, 2006 8:47 AM
To: AMPS
Subject: [Amps] Tuned Input - IMD and efficiency

Friends,

There are plenty of claims that it is wise to use tuned input circuits 
on Grounded Grid amps and that the reasons are reduced IMD, better 
efficiency and better matching to modern day exciters. It is easy for us 
to see the matching benefit. There doesn't appear to be any published 
data to demonstrate the differences of IMD and efficiency in a real amp, 
or several real amps between using tuned input and not using a tuned input.

Have any of you documented this kind of test before? Have you published
the data? Would you care to? If you have, would you share it? I have 
searched the web but have found no published comparison between running 
with and without a tuned input circuit on a Grounded Grid amp. I don't 
have the equipment to run this kind of test but it certainly looks like 
it would be worth while doing.  We could argue theory all day long (and 
we have!) but a practical demonstration would be worth a thousand arguments.

Obviously it would be more meaningful if tests were done on more than
one amp but even one good demonstration could prove the point. I would 
suggest using the same drive power, not overdriving the amp in any case, 
showing the output power difference and the IMD difference between the 
same amp with and without the tuned input circuit.

Anyone care to comment, run the tests or offer their data?

Thanks and 73,
Tony W4ZT

_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps

_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>