$5k-$6k isn't much for an auto-tune or no-tune 1.5 kW+ amp. The only others
on the market in that power level, Alpha and Acom, cost more. The
disturbing trend I have seen in broadcasting is that vacuum tubes just don't
last as long as they used to. In fact, the cheap re-builds from Econco
(3CX15000A7's) typically last twice as long as brand new tubes from Eimac.
SS amps are safer (No HV), require no warm-up time and have design
capabilities to extend coverage from 160-6 meters.
The broadcast world is going solid state due to several factors. The price
is the same or less than tube-types up to around 5 kW on FM, and 50 kW AM.
Over that, cost of maintenance makes SS cheaper in the long run. MOSFETS
have an outstanding long-term life, and I maintain several SS transmitters
that have been running 10+ years, 24/7/365 with no failures in the finals.
The big transmitters are made up of multiple modules that are hot-swappable
and can be run with one or more units missing, and PA module are
interchangeable with IPA's. The power supplies are typically in the
modules, reducing single point of failure problems.
The SGC is a reliable amp, but the IMD specs suck. It's OK to run it mobile
into a "dummy load on a stick", but put it into stacked MonstIR's on a 140'
tower, and you'll hear howling from all parts of the globe! It also wants
to see 1:1 SWR and has no auto-tune components. Not bad for $1,300 without
a power supply, but for 3+ times power (actually around 5X peak), auto tune
to 3:1 SWR and a power supply, IMHO Elecraft has another winner that's
priced right.
Ron N6AHA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Atkinson, K5UJ" <k5uj@hotmail.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 4:57 AM
Subject: [TenTec] SDR 1000 vs Orion vs SDR-X
<<<Unfortunately, many of the old die hard amateurs do not like to see
such
a
rapidly evolving technology environment. It scares them.>>>
No, from what I can tell, they just don't like having their golden rig,
that
was supposed to be the rig to end all rigs, surpassed so soon, and by
another company at that. If Flex were a JA company there'd be a complete
melt down. I'll concede that the idea of a black box run with a computer
is an alien concept though.
<<<FYI, The new 1500 Watt Solid State Amplifier that has been announced by
Elecraft at Dayton, is probably going to be the first amplifier in the
amateur radio industry that is solid state and runs 1500 watts out. How
revolutionary is the fact to not have to ever buy an expensive pair of
replacement Ceramic Tube finals in the future.>>>
I applaud the Elecraft success but I heard that they told everyone at
dayton
the 1.5 kw amp will be selling for $5K to $6K and the 800 w. version will
be
somewhere between $3K and $4K. for that money I'll be sticking with
tubes. there are SB220s out there still running their original 3-500s.
If
I wanted a s.s. amp I'd get one of those SGC smartcubes--that first 5 x
power increase over exciter power is what really counts.
73
rob / k5uj
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