Hi Martin,
How about HOMEBREWING a linear amplifier to YOUR specifications...?
It's really not all that insurmountable a task (heck, I've built three here
myself --- others have surpassed that number!). Best of all, there's a lot
of FUN waiting for you in the design, mods, accumulation of parts, lay-out,
assembly, etc. You may even discover that actual OPERATION is SECONDARY to
the whole process...!
Just a thought, anyway...and why those pricey 3-500Z tubes? Why not
something vintage/classic (and CHEAP!) like a 4-1000A, or four 813's...?
~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin AA6E" <aa6e@ewing.homedns.org>
To: <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 6:40 PM
Subject: [Amps] State of the Amp
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> Hello Amp people,
>
> After nearly 50 years of hamming at the 100 W level, I have lately got
> interested in making bigger zaps, dimming house lights, offending the
> neighbors, etc.
>
> So I've been surveying the HF amp marketplace. Funny, the rate of
> technical progress seems to have been pretty slow over the last 30
> years. My impression is that the "sweet spot" (price, performance,
> versatility, etc.) is still the dual 3-500Z GG design. For a new amp, I
> might choose the Ten-Tec Centurion -- it matches my Orion. Of course
> there are competitors, too. Darwinian forces seem to have eliminated
> other designs that are based on tubes that are no longer made.
>
> If you need the last dB or two to get continuous 1.5 kW out, you can
> spend $1K more. And if you want digital controls, even more. (More
> stuff to break and go obsolete!)
>
> But the XYL helpfully provided a sanity check, and so I'm really looking
> for a used amp. That seems all the more reasonable because the vintage
> amps aren't so different from current models. I'm looking at the Henry
> 2K-xx, for instance -- pushing 30 years old. The main thing it doesn't
> have that I'd want is QSK switching, but I might be able to add that.
> The big pedestal design is a plus for me. The PS isn't shoe-horned into
> the RF box.
>
> Anyway, my question for you is - has anyone written a recent survey of
> the HF amp options along the lines of my notes above? I.e., to help
> orient the newbie amp user to the range of options and choices that are
> out there in the current market?
>
> 73, Martin AA6E
>
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