In a short answer NOPE! These amps are marginal in all aspects at the 1500
watt power level.
To explain: the PSU is not capable of handling the extra current of a 2nd
tube. It would require a new plate transformer and the space to mount it.
New diodes which would have some 2X the current rating of the present ones.
A 2nd filament transformer will be required and the space to mount it. Most
likely even the power switch is under-rated too not to mention the RF
switching components. On the RF side, the tank circuit components are the
wrong values as the input Z will be about 1/2 of the present design value
and much too under-rated in terms of current handling ability for a 2nd
tube. The cooling requirements will double so the present blower is
inadequate. The plate current meter range is inadequate as well as the grid
current meter and the relative output power measuring circuit.
But if it all worked, it would net you only 1/2 S unit increase on the other
end.
To that end, one could invest say $1000 in parts just doing the mods and
adding parts and after all said and done, should one try to sell it, they'd
be lucky to get $500 to $750 total because it is a modified HB, butchered
and hacked amp.
73
Bob, K4TAX
----- Original Message -----
From: <Wt8r@aol.com>
To: <shr@medinaec.com>; <amps@contesting.com>
Cc: <rickn@netdoor.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 06, 2003 9:20 AM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Ameritron AL-1500
> >
> > At 12:11 PM 9/5/2003 -0500, you wrote:
> > >Has anyone ever successfully added a second tube to an AL-1500? What
> > >changes would be needed to make the power supply sufficient?
> > >Rick KD5MGK
> >
>
> Rick--
>
> What does a General class operator intend to do with a modified
> amplifier that runs 4 KW+ input anyway? Judging from the callsign, my
guess is
> that he intends to run it from a 120 VAC wall plug.
>
> Obviously Rick hasn't the foggiest idea of what he is talking
about.
> This is one of the dangers, both to Amateur radio and his person, of
> inexperienced people playing with things they know nothing about.
>
> Perhaps this is some of the great technological treasure trove that
> W5YI was talking about bringing into ham radio through his NO-CODE
program.
>
> 73 de
>
> Dave, WT8R
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
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