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Re: [Amps] GE EF-5A VHF Amplifier

To: Xmitters@aol.com, amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] GE EF-5A VHF Amplifier
From: TexasRF@aol.com
Date: Thu, 26 Jan 2006 14:16:16 EST
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
 
Is the required 25 to 50 ohms current limiting resistor installed in series  
with the B+ to the tube?
 
73,
Gerald K5GW
 
 
In a message dated 1/26/2006 12:59:49 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
Xmitters@aol.com writes:

Hello  Again :-)

I have a General Electric EF-5A VHF power amplifier. I think  it is Progress 
Line or Mastr Progress Line vintage, not sure.

Every  one of these amplifiers I have seen at hamfests a few years ago, all 
had  the plate current meter blown open. And with mine, I found out why. As 
you  
get close to tuning the thing up, you get a big nasty high voltage bang  from 
inside the unit, the windings on the RF coke on the plate lead get  squashed 
into 
the center of the RF choke form and quite often, the 4CX250B  tube gets 
damaged. I was very careful to properly neutralize the amplifier  and careful 
not to 
overdrive the thing. I got to the point where it  appeared stable for 10 
consecutive keyups. OK, I fixed it, so I thought.  On the next keyup, she 
arced over 
again! I had a simpson panel meter in  use to watch the plate current, and 
that 
meter just like all the others,  blew open.

So are there any old timers in the group that has some  flying time with this 
amplifier that might know how to calm this thing  down? Maybe some 
strategically placed Zsorb blocks inside the plate  cavity? The amp has been 
in my shack 
collecting dust, for about ten years  because of this issue.

This really looks like a good amplifier and I  have a good supply of 4CX250B 
pullouts, so I would sure like to fix this  amplifier if at all practical to 
do 
so.

And BTW if there are any  boat anchor collectors out there that would like to 
have some GE Progress  Line gear, we really need to get together :-) Swap 
gear 
for intellectual  property maybe? :-D

Jeff Glass, BSEE CSRE
WB9ETG since  1970
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