Elecraft was working on exactly that, but the project got shelved in favor
of the K3. You can see "inside" pictures of the prototype KPA800 and
KPA1500 on my website www.N6IE.com .
The whole world is going to solid state for high-power amplifiers,
especially in the broadcast business, but there are still some drawbacks.
All too often, the final amplifier devices go obsolete and out of
production, rendering the amp useless if the finals blow. SS amps are
broadband, however they cannot match the efficiency of tuned vacuum tube
circuits. The lower efficiency means dealing with more heat dissipation and
the SS devices are less tolerant of heat then are tubes. High-power SS
devices are very tricky to change, usually requiring a trip back to the
factory. Also, typical SS circuits like to see 50 j0 loads, so internal
auto tuners are a good idea, especially in the > 600 Watt class. That being
said, instant on, no high voltage and no loud squirrel cage blowers make
them a dream!
In FM broadcasting, we use mostly "pallet" amplifiers that are built into
multiple modules that run 600-1,200 Watts each, run through combiners for
full power (up to 45 kW key down 24/7/365 in broadcasting!) which is similar
to the concept that Elecraft was shooting for. The "flat-rate" cost to
repair one of these modules in the broadcast world is anywhere from $900 to
$1,500, although hopefully it will be less in the ham market.
Ron N6IE
www.N6IE.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <d.e.warnick@comcast.net>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 9:46 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] The Titan IIII ????
Don't assume that the next amp will use a tube at all. My Herc II may be old
technology, but the solid-state world has advanced significantly. If I were
allowed a wish here, it would be for a solid-state, full-legal-power,
no-tune amp that follows the Omni VI+ & VII, Jupiter, Orion I & II with band
changes just as the Herc II does.
Call it a Hercules III if you want, or any other name TenTec chooses. Just
as long as it follows the TenTec traditions of quality, QSK and solid
performance. It's a shame it'll match the new rigs instead of my Omni VI+
Dave
WA3MKB
-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Ron Zond" <k3miy@csonline.net>
Jeff
Let's hope TT doesn't use even cheaper Chinese tubes
in the next Titan. It would be the Titan IV (Not IIII) :-)
Ron
K3MIY
-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Jeff
Sent: Thursday, December 18, 2008 11:52 AM
To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: [TenTec] The Titan IIII ????
The Titan IIII ????
Wondering if TenTec will be replacing the Titan III with another high end
amp.
We can certainly hope if they do they revert back to the original Titan
model that ran the 3CX800A7's Or maybe I better light build a amp that
run's
the 3CX1500A7 (8877) tube.
What ever they do I hope they will not continue down the Russian cheap
surplus tube market. Many claim that the 8877 tube will be in production
for the next 20 years.
It is a tube that has proven it self rather well.
Maybe TenTec will make an Amp that uses a tube that will remain in
production and hence not keep building amp's that are expensive and offer
a
limited life time for replacement tubes.
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