First let me make it clear that I am not one that participates in nor enjoys
contests of any kind. Now with that said, I'll proceed to admonish the
contest bunch as a whole. And as Ken said, their operating practice is
"probably not a good operating practice". Oh boy, is that ever true.
In reading various responses from those that are apparently contesters, I
find one thing that seems to be common thread. They expect to be able to
transmit 100% of the time. Now that says they never or rarely listen.
Should not ones transmit time about equal the receive time? Seems
reasonable to me. Otherwise a condition producing something like 50% duty
cycle? Oh we've gotten into the automatic CQ systems that are far from
productive. Basically turning operators into a bunch of "alligators"
otherwise known as large mouth, small brains. This basically defines why
the bands are full of QRM and crap during contests. Everyone wants to call
all the time and listen a lesser amount of time. I believe it is skill and
not power that wins contests.
I've had three Titans in the shop for various reasons and repairs. Most
faults have been found to exist due to mis-use or operation by the owner
which turned out to be failure to properly connect and operate for QSK. One
due to lightning damage. I don't find them to be "light weight" in terms of
performance or duty cycle for amateur radio service. A 50% duty cycle, 10
min on and 10 min off, for 100% duty cycle modes such as RTTY.
Of course if you believe that one needs a 100% duty cycle, legal limit amp,
then pay the price. And too if one should add 3 dB of gain to the antenna
then one benefits both on transmit and receive.
73
Bob, K4TAX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Brown" <ken.d.brown@hawaiiantel.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 08, 2008 12:23 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] LEGAL LIMIT PLUS AMP ALPHA 77D
>I don't know which Titan K4TAX is referring to, since there have been at
> least three incarnations of the Titan, with a few versions of each,
> having minor changes as the design evolved. (At least that is the case
> with the 425 Titan)
>
> I have a Titan 425. It is a real nice amplifier. QSK is great when
> operated with Ten-Tec rigs using T-T keying loop. I would not call the
> Titan 425 a full power contest duty amplifier. You cannot run it at 1500
> watts output in near continuous duty, such as in RTTY mode. Even in CW
> mode it is pushing it to operate at full legal output for extended
> periods of CQing. (probably not good operating practice anyway)
>
> My Titan 425 is the biggest amplifier I have, and I would like to have a
> bigger one for contest service. Not to exceed the legal power output
> limit, but rather to have just a bit more high duty cycle full power
> capability. I don't regret buying my Titan 425 and it is not for sale. I
> think it is a great amplifier. You'd probably like one too. Still, for
> contesting it could be just a bit more stout.
>
> DE N6KB
>
> Bob McGraw - K4TAX wrote:
>> The Tentec Titan is hard to beat. A real proven workhorse. Two control
>> lines between the Orion and the Titan plus one coax cable and you are
>> full
>> QSK at legal limit.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Looking for feedback on the various top shelf legal limit amps. Would
>>> like
>>> to find a Alpha 77 in good working order, but am interested in other
>>> possibilities. Commander 2500 magnum, Alpha 8100, Acom 2000 etc. I have
>>> heard that the
>>> Svetlana 4cx800 tubes are getting hard to get, what are your thoughts?
>>> What
>>> is the contesters amp of choice? Will be using it with my Orion .Any
>>> info
>>> greatly appreciated. Please reply direct to _W1DXH@AOL.COM_
>>> (mailto:W1DXH@AOL.COM)
>>>
>>>
>>> 73'S TNX,
>>> STEVE W1DXH
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel
>>> Guides.
>>>
>>> (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016)
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>>>
>>
>>
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>>
>
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