Subject: Re: [AMPS] Commander 2500E
> Phil, re your comment (below), such illegal goings-on may not be unique to
> one manufacturer, but NEITHER are they engaged in by ALL.
>
> For the record, neither ALPHA/POWER nor its predecessor ETO has ever
> knowingly promoted or sold amplifiers in violation of FCC rules applicable
> to the amateur (or CB) radio service. Neither, I'll wager, have other
> legitimate and ethical manufacturers who value their reputations (e.g.,
> Ten-Tec).
Although your above statement is technically correct, let's talk about the
Alpha 77DX/77SX. The 77DX came with a spare hole for another tube.
A "kit" was available for around $895 with all the parts and tube to convert
the DX into an SX. This was not openly advertized, but word got around
very quickly. I have no idea what ETO's relationship was with Payne Radio,
but he openly advertized and sold Alpha 77DX's that had "factory installed
kits" already aboard. A factory converted "SX" has more value to this day
than does a "field converted" unit. Even the 77SX amps built from the chassis
up at the ETO factory for sale to government, military, and export customers
had the standard "77DX' front panel, so they all looked the same from the
outside. Mr. Payne built up a clientele from among the very wealthy Amateurs,
and the ownership of SX's was a common-place "status symbol" among them.
Most of them ended up in the owner's closet after very brief use because of
fear about getting caught, or after melting traps and coax in their too-modest
antenna systems.
> So far as I know, no U.S. regulation prohibits building or selling cars
> capable of doing 150+ mph - that's left up to drivers and law enforcement to
> work out. So car speed capability really isn't a good analogy to FCC's
> transmitter power rules.
I think it is an excellent analogy, Dick. I compare the car engine size to
the size of a tube. IMHO, amps should be manufactured with ONE tube,
selected to operate at the customer's desired level, with a 100% fudge
factor for reliability and long component life. Running above legal limit
should be left up to the operator and law enforcement to work out.
Our government, in its infinate wisdom knows better than to try to limit
engine size, but think it is okay to put limits on amp manufacturers.
The cost of a 3CX3000A7 is now cheaper than an 8877, and has the
power of a pair. The YC-156 is becoming as popular as the 4-1000A
was 20 years ago, and can be bought for less. The difference is that
the Amp manufacturer's lobby in Washington (if any!) is very small
compared to the auto manufacturer's lobby. Multiple tube amps and
easy 10 meter conversions by the customer are a method of living
with, and getting around stupid government rules.
> If BMW (or even Yugo) ignores the rules and tries to import cars that aren't
> certified, EPA will nail them. I think we do need some FCC rules, but they
> also ought to be enforced - and uniformly - or ditched entirely.
The rules we need should be for operators of vehicles and radios,
Not the manufacturers. Leave speed, power, and emissions (RF and
CO) up to local enforcement. That will force the manufacturers to comply
from the grass-roots marketplace. Not from Washington D.C. down.
We need to take back this country before all the lakes are full of gas
additives and the airwaves are full of un-filtered 11 meter amps!
(((73)))
Phil, K5PC
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