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[AMPS] Amplifier Experiments!

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [AMPS] Amplifier Experiments!
From: w8ji.tom@MCIONE.com (Tom Rauch)
Date: Wed, 27 May 1998 06:40:50 +0000
To: <amps@contesting.com>
> Date:          Tue, 26 May 1998 22:59:49 -0500
> From:          Jon Ogden <jono@webspun.com>
> Subject:       Re: [AMPS] Amplifier Experiments!
> To:            w8ji.tom@mcione.com, amps@contesting.com

Hi Jon,

> What do you call a proper fault protection resistor?  

One designed to handle a fault without internal arcing or failure. 
RCD makes a pulse rated wire wound resistor, and Stackpole makes 
composition types.  

>I did have two 10 
> watt 10 Ohm wirewounds in series right after the HV DC bypass caps at the 
> DC entrance point to the RF deck.  They opened up during the arc or 
> whatever.  I just have to get new ones.  Isn't that a proper fault 
> protection resistor?

Besides dissipation and resistance, resistors also have a voltage 
rating. If the resistor arcs internally, it won't offer the best 
protection to the rest of the circuit or the resistor itself.

 > >> this perhaps a little too close to 21 MHz?  Perhaps putting the 

> >That's pretty darned close, but workable in most cases. You 
> >absolutely need to measure it with the cover on. I know you like 
> >using the GDO, but there are MUCH better tests.
> >
> >One is to use a resistor, diode, and signal source to measure choke 
> >impedance. The problem (I hear an echo) with a GDO is it tells you 
> >nothing about choke impedance.
> 
> Yes, yes, I know.  The GDO doesn't measure impedance.  I hear that loud 
> and clear.  All it measures is resonance.  So how do you measure 
> impedance with a resistor, diode and signal source?  Are you talking 
> about making a noise bridge or something?  Enlighten me.

Disconnect only the TOP of the choke from the circuit. Add 
a resistance in series with the top connection of the choke, with a 
detector diode across that resistance, and measure the voltage drop 
across that resistance. While somewhat crude, it's better than having 
no idea at all of choke impedance.

A more crude method is just to use a small 12 volt wire lead lamp and 
a T connector. Run one end of the T connector to your dummy load and 
the other to the rig. The other empty port goes to the lamp through a 
short flexible lead.. 

Ground the T to the chassis and sweep the choke with the rig. When 
you get the approximate brightness for a given amount of power, you 
can substitute a resistor and find the approximate impedance for a 
given power and brightness.

This also lets you move things around and watch the choke current 
change, without fussing with a GDO.
73, Tom W8JI
w8ji.tom@MCIONE.com

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