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Re: [Amps] Amps Digest, Vol 111, Issue 26

To: amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] Amps Digest, Vol 111, Issue 26
From: K3vw@aol.com
Date: Fri, 16 Mar 2012 17:56:25 -0400 (EDT)
List-post: <amps@contesting.com">mailto:amps@contesting.com>
I was the Service Manager at Amp Supply in the 80's. The ZC came out with a 
 RJ1A, vacuum relay which set it apart from the previous models. Willy K3VW
 
 
In a message dated 3/16/2012 12:23:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
amps-request@contesting.com writes:

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Today's Topics:

1. Re: AL-80b  Problems - Help Needed (Carl)
2. Re: LK 550-ZC  (Carl)
3. Re: LK 550-ZC (Dick Green WC1M)
4.  Re: LK 550-ZC (Carl)
5. lk-450NTC (ko1h)
6.  Looking for top cover from Alpha 374/76/78 era amp (David  Feldman)
7. Re: lk-450NTC (Carl)
8. FT-1000MP  Issues? (Tom  Horton)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message:  1
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:05:22 -0400
From: "Carl"  <km1h@jeremy.mv.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] AL-80b Problems - Help  Needed
To: <ki6iv@sbcglobal.net>,     <amps@contesting.com>
Message-ID:  <3E4517445701413283FE27CAD3C1B2E5@computer1>
Content-Type:  text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Check all bandswitch  contacts

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From:  "Bob Moore" <ki6iv@sbcglobal.net>
To:  <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:41  PM
Subject: [Amps] AL-80b Problems - Help Needed


>I need some  help in figuring out what the problem is here.  Below is a
>  summary of what I am experiencing.
>
>
> AL-80b  Problems
>
> Normally operate in the 5-700w range, I am very  conservative in the amp
> operation.  New tube in Dec  '05.
>
> Will be operating or lately tuning up and will hear an  arch, loses power
> out, but all voltages and ma stay  normal.
>
> Started while I was contesting running RTTY at  500w.  Started on 15m, I
> could let cool and then be able to go  again for a while.  Now the problem
> has migrated to 20 and  40.  Still works fine on 80 and 160.
>
> All operating  voltages and currents are within the perimeters in the 
>  manual.
>
> When it stops putting power out, I hear the arching  which appears to be
> coming from the right hand side of the unit.   I have noticed some arching
> "spots" on the plate tuning  cap.
>
> I opened the cabinet and did a visual inspection and can  see nothing out 
> of
> the ordinary other than RFC-2 (Plate  Chock) appears to be discolored and 
> an
> earlier vintage than  what I see in pictures others have posted. (I can 
> send
> my  pictures if requested).
>
> Any hints how I should proceed for  trouble shooting.
>
> I am going to open it up again today and  clean the relay.
>
> Bob, K6NV
>
>
> Bob  Moore
> Truckee, CA  96161
> (530)575-5766
>
>  _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing  list
> Amps@contesting.com
>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
>
>  -----
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> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4872 - Release  Date: 03/15/12
>  



------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Thu,  15 Mar 2012 15:07:52 -0400
From: "Carl"  <km1h@jeremy.mv.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] LK 550-ZC
To: "Paul  Kraemer" <elespe@lisco.com>,    "AMPS"  <amps@contesting.com>
Message-ID:  <C54D3E472D324484930220B9263E159B@computer1>
Content-Type:  text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

There was one late edition combined manual that  covered the 450 to 550 
Tune 
and  NT.

Carl
KM1H



----- Original Message ----- 
From:  "Paul Kraemer" <elespe@lisco.com>
To: "AMPS"  <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:28  PM
Subject: [Amps] LK 550-ZC


> Can someone help me find a  copy of manual for Amp Supply LK-550 ZC.
>
> I have the download  from BAMA which covers the 550 but not the ZC
>
>  Thanks
>
> Paul K0UYA
>  _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing  list
> Amps@contesting.com
>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
>
>  -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4872 - Release  Date: 03/15/12
>  



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Thu,  15 Mar 2012 17:12:55 -0400
From: "Dick Green WC1M"  <wc1m73@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] LK 550-ZC
To: "'Paul  Kraemer'" <elespe@lisco.com>,    "AMPS"  <amps@contesting.com>
Message-ID:  <002101cd02f0$64f5f660$2ee1e320$@gmail.com>
Content-Type:  text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"

As far as I know, there was  no individual manual for the ZC. I think the
"400/500 Series" manual was  intended to cover all the variations in both
series. I don't recall exactly  what set the ZC apart from other models in
the 550 series, but I think it  was QSK. The BAMA manual has the schematic
and some instructions for the  QSK Board. Is there some part of the manual
you specifically need?

I  happen to have a working LK-500ZC sitting unused in the basement. It  has
QSK, but I'm pretty sure it lacks the No-Tune option (it's been a long  time
since I used that amp.) I don't recall if it has the "new"  step-start
circuit discussed in the BAMA manual, but I think so. It carries  the Amp
International label, which I believe indicates that it was one of  the last
amps made by Denny before the enterprise went under. The manual  that I got
from the previous owner is almost identical to the BAMA version,  but 
appears
to be an earlier edition. Perhaps that means I have it  backwards, and that
the original company was Amp International and the  last-gasp company was 
Amp
Supply, and that my amp is an earlier model  instead of late one. My manual
does have the pages missing from the BAMA  manual (3, 15, 21-24), but those
pages don't contain any critical  information. The BAMA manual has more
complete schematics and bills of  material.

I did a lot of repair work on the amp when I got it. The  previous owner's
wife had thrown something at him during a fight (a chair,  I think), and the
amp got knocked off the desk. All three tube seals were  compromised, and
when the previous owner turned it on, the resulting arc  fried the plate
choke and a number of other components. I also replaced a  40m output cap
that was actually broken by the blow to the amp. The meter  bezels were
damaged, too. I fixed all that stuff, added a glitch resistor  to protect 
the
plate choke from future mishaps, replaced all of the meter  calibration
resistors (which had either deteriorated or were replaced by a  previous
owner with the wrong values in order to fool the ALO circuit,  throwing off
the meter readings), slightly increased the fan speed at the  low setting to
prevent it cycling into high speed mode so often, and  lowered the fan speed
in high speed mode so it wouldn't sound like a  freight train.

73, Dick WC1M



> -----Original  Message-----
> From: Paul Kraemer [mailto:elespe@lisco.com]
>  Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:29 PM
> To: AMPS
> Subject:  [Amps] LK 550-ZC
> 
> Can someone help me find a copy of manual  for Amp Supply LK-550 ZC.
> 
> I have the download from BAMA which  covers the 550 but not the ZC
> 
> Thanks
> 
> Paul  K0UYA




------------------------------

Message:  4
Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:36:05 -0400
From: "Carl"  <km1h@jeremy.mv.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] LK 550-ZC
To: "Dick Green  WC1M" <wc1m73@gmail.com>, "'Paul Kraemer'"
<elespe@lisco.com>,    "AMPS"  <amps@contesting.com>
Message-ID:  <C4BA40A52E5340598C988F98C490CE75@computer1>
Content-Type:  text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Amp International was the last name, Denny was  selling into the commercial 
market.

The ZC included the day to day  updates to the ZB, and finalized the ALO 
circuit, QSK, and the step-start  and fan speed. Real late ones had a fan 
speed temperature  sensor.

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From:  "Dick Green WC1M" <wc1m73@gmail.com>
To: "'Paul Kraemer'"  <elespe@lisco.com>; "AMPS" <amps@contesting.com>
Sent:  Thursday, March 15, 2012 5:12 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] LK  550-ZC


> As far as I know, there was no individual manual for  the ZC. I think the
> "400/500 Series" manual was intended to cover all  the variations in both
> series. I don't recall exactly what set the ZC  apart from other models in
> the 550 series, but I think it was QSK. The  BAMA manual has the schematic
> and some instructions for the QSK Board.  Is there some part of the manual
> you specifically  need?
>
> I happen to have a working LK-500ZC sitting unused in  the basement. It 
has
> QSK, but I'm pretty sure it lacks the No-Tune  option (it's been a long 
> time
> since I used that amp.) I don't  recall if it has the "new" step-start
> circuit discussed in the BAMA  manual, but I think so. It carries the Amp
> International label, which  I believe indicates that it was one of the 
last
> amps made by Denny  before the enterprise went under. The manual that I 
got
> from the  previous owner is almost identical to the BAMA version, but 
>  appears
> to be an earlier edition. Perhaps that means I have it  backwards, and 
that
> the original company was Amp International and the  last-gasp company was 
> Amp
> Supply, and that my amp is an  earlier model instead of late one. My 
manual
> does have the pages  missing from the BAMA manual (3, 15, 21-24), but 
those
> pages don't  contain any critical information. The BAMA manual has more
> complete  schematics and bills of material.
>
> I did a lot of repair work  on the amp when I got it. The previous owner's
> wife had thrown  something at him during a fight (a chair, I think), and 
> the
>  amp got knocked off the desk. All three tube seals were compromised,  and
> when the previous owner turned it on, the resulting arc fried the  plate
> choke and a number of other components. I also replaced a 40m  output cap
> that was actually broken by the blow to the amp. The meter  bezels were
> damaged, too. I fixed all that stuff, added a glitch  resistor to protect 
> the
> plate choke from future mishaps,  replaced all of the meter calibration
> resistors (which had either  deteriorated or were replaced by a previous
> owner with the wrong  values in order to fool the ALO circuit, throwing 
off
> the meter  readings), slightly increased the fan speed at the low setting 
>  to
> prevent it cycling into high speed mode so often, and lowered the  fan 
> speed
> in high speed mode so it wouldn't sound like a  freight train.
>
> 73, Dick  WC1M
>
>
>
>> -----Original  Message-----
>> From: Paul Kraemer  [mailto:elespe@lisco.com]
>> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:29  PM
>> To: AMPS
>> Subject: [Amps] LK  550-ZC
>>
>> Can someone help me find a copy of manual for  Amp Supply LK-550 ZC.
>>
>> I have the download from BAMA  which covers the 550 but not the ZC
>>
>>  Thanks
>>
>> Paul K0UYA
>
>
>  _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing  list
> Amps@contesting.com
>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
>
>  -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4872 - Release  Date: 03/15/12
>  



------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Fri,  16 Mar 2012 03:28:20 -0000
From: "ko1h" <ko1h@cox.net>
Subject:  [Amps] lk-450NTC
To: <amps@contesting.com>
Cc:  ham_amplifiers@yahoogroups.com
Message-ID:  <013801cd0324$d5e84f10$0608a8c0@johna32bbea6d0>
Content-Type:  text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi all,  Just  acquired a lk-450ntc.  Had some trouble getting the tube to 
light but  then all was well for a few days.  ( I did a stupid when trying 
to get  the tube to light and will have a nice scare on my left pinky to tell 
tales  about)  But be that as it may.  After getting the tube to light  
(Friday last)  I hooked it up and was getting power out on 75 into a  dummy 
load and antenna.  Didn't mess with it for a few days turned it on  tonight and 
a few seconds after hitting the power switch I got a pop in and I  think I 
saw an arc in the rf compartment.  

Figuring heck this  happens ( I used to own a few sb220/1's that loved to 
bang everyonce in a  while) I kept the amp in standby verified that the 
exciter was turned down  enough and the swr to the antenna was good and fired 
it 
up.  Well SWR  back to the radio when the amp is keyed to goes through the  
roof and the  idle plate current in the amp drops to zero.  Placing the amp 
in standby  and through to the antenna a just fine.  Tube is lit.  2900v on 
the  meter for idle dc voltage.  Relay can be heard engaging.   

Due to this thing biting me last week ( my own stupid) had it turned  on 
and touched it with the covers off I know luck I'm here)  I've got it  
unplugged and sitting for the night before I take the covers off.   

Any place I should start to look? 

Perhaps reseating the  tube.  The socket on this thing does not please me 
and will likely get  replaced eventually.  
Relay?
Glitch resistor on the  tub?

Anything else?  (aka the reason I'm posting this most people  know 
more/better than I do. )


Thanks de John ko1h  

------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Fri, 16 Mar  2012 06:05:48 -0700 (PDT)
From: David Feldman  <wb0gaz@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Amps] Looking for top cover from Alpha  374/76/78 era amp
To: amps@contesting.com
Message-ID:
<1331903148.33074.yint-ygo-j2me@web162106.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type:  text/plain; charset=us-ascii


Looking for a top cover for same - can  be ugly but should be basically 
straight. If you have one left over from  replacement and wish to sell (ship to 
Colorado) pls e-mail  wb0gaz@yahoo.com

TKs  73


------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Fri,  16 Mar 2012 11:12:58 -0400
From: "Carl"  <km1h@jeremy.mv.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] lk-450NTC
To: "ko1h"  <ko1h@cox.net>,    <amps@contesting.com>
Message-ID:  <39D963E610C94798999FFB88A443E030@computer1>
Content-Type:  text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Those NTC amps have a bad habit of arcing the  undersized fixed tuned 
variables. Most I get in here for service are  changed to regular Tune amps 
or converted to 6M where either way they work  just fine.

Carl
KM1H


---- Original Message -----  
From: "ko1h" <ko1h@cox.net>
To:  <amps@contesting.com>
Cc:  <ham_amplifiers@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:28  PM
Subject: [Amps] lk-450NTC


> Hi all,  Just acquired a  lk-450ntc.  Had some trouble getting the tube 
to 
> light but then  all was well for a few days.  ( I did a stupid when 
trying 
> to  get the tube to light and will have a nice scare on my left pinky to 
>  tell tales about)  But be that as it may.  After getting the tube to  
light 
> (Friday last)  I hooked it up and was getting power out on  75 into a 
dummy 
> load and antenna.  Didn't mess with it for a few  days turned it on 
tonight 
> and a few seconds after hitting the power  switch I got a pop in and I 
> think I saw an arc in the rf  compartment.
>
> Figuring heck this happens ( I used to own a few  sb220/1's that loved to 
> bang everyonce in a while) I kept the amp in  standby verified that the 
> exciter was turned down enough and the swr  to the antenna was good and 
> fired it up.  Well SWR back to the  radio when the amp is keyed to goes 
> through the  roof and the  idle plate current in the amp drops to zero. 
> Placing the amp in  standby and through to the antenna a just fine.  Tube 
> is  lit.  2900v on the meter for idle dc voltage.  Relay can be heard  
> engaging.
>
> Due to this thing biting me last week ( my  own stupid) had it turned on 
> and touched it with the covers off I  know luck I'm here)  I've got it 
> unplugged and sitting for the  night before I take the covers off.
>
> Any place I should start  to look?
>
> Perhaps reseating the tube.  The socket on this  thing does not please me 
> and will likely get replaced  eventually.
> Relay?
> Glitch resistor on the tub?
>
>  Anything else?  (aka the reason I'm posting this most people know  
> more/better than I do. )
>
>
> Thanks de John  ko1h
> _______________________________________________
> Amps  mailing list
> Amps@contesting.com
>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
>
>  -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4874 - Release  Date: 03/16/12
>  



------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Fri,  16 Mar 2012 09:23:37 -0700 (PDT)
From: Tom Horton  <k5iid@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: [Amps] FT-1000MP Issues?
To:  amps@contesting.com
Message-ID:
<1331915017.9045.YahooMailClassic@web83102.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
Content-Type:  text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

Does anyone know of any concerns with  driving an amp with an older amp? 
Gettin ready to jump into  QRO.
Thanks,
?Tom K5IID

"Socialism is a philosophy of  failure,
the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,
its inherent  virtue is the equal sharing of misery.."
-- Winston  Churchill

"Democracy depends on well-informed voters; absent that, it  is all mud 
flowing down hill."
--Charles Harpole

"Luck is a dividend  of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get."

If you don't like  my signature, well, I am sorry. But I will use it 
because it is what I  believe. 

K5IID Tom Horton Hillsboro, TX
E sorter for ARRL W5  bureau
Same call for 55  years!

------------------------------

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End  of Amps Digest, Vol 111, Issue  26
*************************************

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