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Re: [Amps] 3-500Z cool down time

To: Catherine James <catherine.james@att.net>, Amps group <amps@contesting.com>, Kimberly Elmore <cw_de_n5op@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: Re: [Amps] 3-500Z cool down time
From: Joe <nss@mwt.net>
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 2017 10:20:47 -0500
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
So this SB-220, that has been sitting since 1993, the tubes are most likely toast?

Joe WB9SBD
Sig
The Original Rolling Ball Clock
Idle Tyme
Idle-Tyme.com
http://www.idle-tyme.com
On 6/6/2017 10:14 AM, Catherine James wrote:
Kim,

    It's generally recognized that glass tubes have poor shelf life due to slow 
leakage.  I have heard many reports of this from people I trust.

    They will last much longer if the plate gets hot at least a few times a 
year so that any leakage can be gettered away.  For tubes in regular use rather 
than on the shelf, it doesn't seem to be a problem, but it makes it difficult 
to stock up with spares.  Many amateur users rotate their shelf stock into the 
amp at least once a year.

   Is the 3-500Z used much outside of ham radio today?  If so, who are the 
primary users?

73,
Cathy
N5WVR

--------------------------------------------
On Tue, 6/6/17, Kimberly Elmore <cw_de_n5op@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
The biggest issue with the 3CX1200 is appears to be that
  it's simply not used in much outiside of ham radio.
  I'm not sure what the original design application was
  intended for, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't just for
  amateur use.

  As for glass tubes, I know that some are notorious for leaky seals,
  but I thought such was rare. Is it a significant problem with the 3-500Z?
  Kim
  N5OP
From: Catherine James
  <catherine.james@att.net>
   To: Amps group
  <amps@contesting.com>
   Sent: Tuesday, June 6,
  2017 9:04 AM
   Subject: Re: [Amps]
  3-500Z cool down time
Given
  that ceramic tubes appear to last longer on the shelf with
  less leakage than glass, it's a shame that there
  isn't a ceramic tube in the price/performance range of
  the 3-500Z.  It would be well worth paying, say, 10% more
  for ceramic.  But the actual cost multiplier is much higher
  than that, so glass tubes will continue to rule at the low
  end (i.e., far below legal limit).
73,
  Cathy
  N5WVR
  --------------------------------------------
  Kimberly Elmore <cw_de_n5op@sbcglobal.net>
  wrote:
True
  enough; I was simply
statingthat the 3CX1200 is a ceramic replacement for a
  glass
   envelope.
  It's a fine tube, though it requires a fair
   bit more drive. That is,
  aparently, the price paid for a
   high grid dissipation rating. It's easier to
  drive when
   running 4
  kV B+, though. At that voltage, I never fail to
   acieve full output with a
  100 W rig on any band.
   Kim N5OP
From: Bill Turner
  <dezrat@outlook.com>
    To: Amps group <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, June 5,
  2017 9:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] 3-500Z cool down time ------------ ORIGINAL
   MESSAGE ------------(may
  be snipped)
On Mon, 5 Jun 2017
  20:48:40 -0500, Kim
wrote: >The 3CX1200 is a
   ceramic version of the
  3-1000Z. I have an amp that uses one
   and it's ready in
  under 10 s.
>Kim
   N5OP
REPLY: Yes, but that's a
  very
   expensive tube. I
  was thinking of a ceramic
   3-500Z for the same price as glass.
For what they are asking
  you
   might as well get
  an 8877. Different
socket
   but lower drive
  and more output.
73, Bill W6WRT _______________________________________________
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