Tubes are still a good way to go for high power, but it's true that there isn't
much profit in the ham amplifier market. The price and durability of solid
state devices will improve and make them more viable in the future, just as has
happened in the broadcast industry. Just a few years ago, SS amps for FM
broadcast didn't make financial sense over 3 kW, but now they do for power
levels up to the 20-40 kW level. AM broadcasters went SS a long time ago and I
don't think there are any vacuum tube units being sold in the 50 kW or lower
levels. The same will happen for HF ham radio...it will just take time.
Ron N6IE
www.N6IE.com
----- Original Message -----
From: Rsoifer@aol.com
To: tentec@contesting.com ; ronc@sonic.net
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 4:22 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] KPA 500
Hi George,
Yes, my experience with solid state amps is also that they can't take abuse
as well as a tube amp can. Tube amps are also better value for money. For
those who really need no-tune bandswitching, there's always Alpha.
My Orion II may not be perfect, but nothing is. I feel no need to trade it
for a K3, but am not currently into DXpeditioning.
73 Ray W2RS
In a message dated 2/24/2011 12:06:52 A.M. GMT Standard Time,
georgefritkin@yahoo.com writes:
There is just no money to be made in amps. A lot of Hams are linear
abusers.
Tubes, for the most part can take the abuse, transistor can not, hence lots
of
protection. Then we Hams complain that our solid state amps "kick out all
the
time" so you can not win. Either you go the Ameritron way (I have lots of
their
amps) or the THP direction and just let the selling price follow suit. You
are
correct, differentiating amps is much harder than a transceiver.
George, W6GF
________________________________
From: Ron Castro <ronc@sonic.net>
To: ac5aa@ac5aa.com; Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Wed, February 23, 2011 7:54:39 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] KPA 500
TT would have to come up with something to differentiate itself from
Elecraft. At this point, the route would be to offer full legal limit
solid-state amplifiers. Elecraft went down that road with the KPA800 and
KPA1500, but never brought them to market. I saw the prototypes of both
units (the pictures are still on my website) but instead, they pursued the
K-3 development and let the higher power amps wither on the vine. The K-3
has been so popular that they are focused on accessories with a matching
footprint like the 500 Watt amp and the pan adapter.
I'd love to see TT with something equivalent to the Dishtronix amp!
Ron N6IE
www.N6IE.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Duane Calvin" <ac5aa1@gmail.com>
To: "'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 7:01 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] KPA 500
> That depends on whether TT could significantly beat Elecraft's cost/price
> window.
>
> 73, Duane
>
>
> Duane Calvin, AC5AA
> Austin, Texas
> www.ac5aa.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of Rick - NJ0IP / DJ0IP
> Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 12:43 AM
> To: 'Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment'
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] KPA 500
>
> It was on display in Orlando.
> Eric said "they" were done with it an just awaiting approval.
> He thought it would be a couple of months.
>
> I must admit, with the KPA 500 practically already available, the niche
> for
> Ten-Tec to build a small amp has practically vanished.
>
> 73
> Rick
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tentec-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com]
> On Behalf Of JoshL
> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 7:42 PM
> To: tentec@contesting.com
> Subject: [TenTec] KPA 500
>
> When does the KPA 500 become AVAILABLE ???
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