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Re: [TenTec] Orion with - Centurion VS Alpha 91B?

To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion with - Centurion VS Alpha 91B?
From: "Tommy" <aldermant@alltel.net>
Reply-to: tentec@contesting.com
Date: Sun, 13 Jun 2004 09:06:53 -0400
List-post: <mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
No one has that problem. Read the instructions.

W4BQF

----- Original Message -----
From: "Steve N4LQ" <n4lq@iglou.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 8:46 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion with - Centurion VS Alpha 91B?


> My Centurion's input swr is 2:1 on the low end of 80m. Has anyone seen a
way
> to improve this? There is no adjustment.
>
> Steve N4LQ
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Duane A Calvin" <ac5aa@juno.com>
> To: <tentec@contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 12:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion with - Centurion VS Alpha 91B?
>
>
> > Lee,
> >         I have owned both.  I had a Centurion for several years, then
> > moved to an Alpha 99 (very similar to the 91b except it is built in the
> > US and has more US parts in it.)  I liked my Centurion a lot, and if
> > you're a DXer, expecially a lazy one like I am at times, depending on
the
> > cluster instead of searching your own DX out, then you will want the
> > Centurion with the instant-on 3-500ZG's.  I worked a number of DX
> > stations while Alpha owners were waiting for that danged "Wait" LED to
go
> > out!  So, why did I switch to the Alpha?  I think if one of the tubes
> > hadn't failed in my Centurion after 4 years of not-too-heavy use (I
> > rarely run over 800W, even with the Alpha), I wouldn't have gotten that
> > disappointed feeling.  Finding that a new matched pair of the same RF
> > Parts tubes cost $250, while a pair of GU-84B's from the guy who sells
> > 'em to Alpha was $200 did get me a little bit.  Most of them are new/old
> > stock Svetlana military tubes.  But my reason for moving was the
> > perceived higher reliability, long term, of the Alpha.  In reality, I'd
> > bet they're very similar.  Both of my amps failed in the first few weeks
> > of use (bias transistor on the Centurion, vacuum relay on the Alpha).
> > Both have great service departments.  But there's no filament glow on
the
> > Alpha that the Centurion had.  Both are easy to tune and drive.  Both
are
> > quiet, both will work with the Ten-Tec QSK loop in full QSK mode, and
> > both run cool (altho the Centurion exhausts heat mostly from the right
> > side while the Alpha exhausts it from the top).   It's a horse race.  If
> > the prices were realistic for each, then ask yourself how much you need
> > the instant on feature.
> >
> >         73,  Duane
> >
> >
> > On Sat, 12 Jun 2004 21:47:43 EDT Kc9cdt@aol.com writes:
> > > I am a happy Orion owner!
> > >
> > > I am looking to upgrade from a Centaur to either a Centurion or a
> > > Alpha 91B.
> > >
> > > I stopped at TT last week to see / hear / play the Centurion. Very
> > > nice,
> > > quiet fan, pretty quiet QSK relay noise.
> > >
> > > Also, I visited my friend that has the 91B for sale (excellant
> > > condition) I
> > > like the looks, it's pretty quie also, the WSK (Vacuum Relay) seems
> > > OK, but
> > > maybe a little noisier than the Centurion. AND NOT INSTANT ON ( 2-3
> > > minute warm
> > > up)
> > >
> > > Both have cheap tubes and are well made, and have high review
> > > marks.
> > >
> > > They are both nice, but different for sure.
> > >
> > > I would appreciate any feedback as to what you all think about the
> > > two units.
> > > I need to decide soon, or the Alpha will be gone. Have been trying
> > > to decide
> > > for 2 weeks now!!
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > > 73,
> > > Lee, KC9CDT
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > TenTec mailing list
> > > TenTec@contesting.com
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------
> > Duane Calvin, AC5AA
> > Austin, Texas
> >
> > http://home.austin.rr.com/ac5aa
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
>
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