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[AMPS] Re: Parasitics

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Subject: [AMPS] Re: Parasitics
From: measures@vc.net (Rich Measures)
Date: Fri, 15 May 98 10:36:20 -0800
>>>Is it perhaps that the Q of the tank circuit is very large?  
>>
>>The Q in the typical ham amplifier is nowhere near very large.  10 to 12 
>>is common.  
>>
>>>Larger Q will cause the voltages to be higher.  And perhaps at the same 
time 
>>>the 
>>>switch that is used is really under-rated?
>>
>>The output bandswitches in the TL-922, AL-80, and SB-220 have a 
>>withstanding ability of roughly 6000v.
>
>OK....I think the original question Carl posted though was not about the 
>AL-80 but about another Ameritron amp.  Is it possible that Ameritron 
>uses a different, bandswitch..
>
>So I still have my question on bandswitches that I posted the other 
>night, Rich:
>
>If the Pi-network in a PA rejects VHF/UHF signals how does the VHF 
>voltage of a parasitic get high enough to destroy a bandswitch?  

Due to the parasite freq. being near a series resonance in the Tune C?  
The most often destroyed bandswitch contacts are the10m position, which 
is closest to the Tune C potential.  

>Consider this:  The tube has less gain at VHF/UHF, the pi-network is not 
matched 
>at VHF-UHF.  So how does it happen?

Perform the following near-resonance experiment:
Connect 1 ohm of XC in series with1.001 ohm of XL.  
Apply a sinewave of one volt rms.    
What is the current?  
What is the potential that appears across each component?

It looks to me like the current would be 1V/the net X of 0.001 ohm = 
1000A-rms, 
the potential across L would be 1000A x 1.001 ohms = 1001V-rms, 
and the potential across C would be 1 ohm x 1000A = 1000V-rms

>The Pi-network does not "absorb" out of band energy as someone suggested. 
> If that's the case RF theory of ideal components would break down.  

true

>Unless I am really, really missing something VHF/UHF energy will be 
>reflected at the input of the pi-net *back* into the anode circuitry.  
>This is how "lossless" networks "attenuate" energy.
>
>If VHF/UHF energy was allowed to freely roam in and out of the pi-net, 
>then we wouldn't get harmonic attenuation.
>
agreed

>No one responded to my earlier post on this.  Anyhow, after mulling this 
>over some more I have another question: 
>
>* Just because the VHF/UHF energy is reflected from the pi-net back to 
>the anode, does this mean that there is no VHF/UHF voltage across any of 
>the components in the pi-network?  

My guess is that it bounces back and forth looking for a resistive load.  
Metal vapour arcs certainly have resistance.  

> I wish I had the capability to do a 
>SPICE model 

... apparently, so does Prince Harry.  

>...on this because if you build up a voltage potential, then 
>maybe a parasitic could break down the switch.  But I can't prove this 
>one way or the other.
>
I doubt that Jon or Rich could prove it to anyone who has committed 
themselves to the position that parasites are incapable of doing such 
damage.  However, for me, finding a damaged vhf suppressor resistor after 
a bandswitch arc/meltdown is something that I find to be fairly 
convincing.  


Rich...

R. L. Measures, 805-386-3734, AG6K, www.vcnet.com/measures  


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