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Re: [TenTec] Care and Feeding of Centurions

To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Care and Feeding of Centurions
From: "Bob McGraw - K4TAX" <RMcGraw@Blomand.net>
Reply-to: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Sun, 2 Feb 2014 20:39:25 -0600
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
I've had two of the 422 Centurions. Always tuned them and operated them to "full tilt boogie" power out. The older one purchased new by me in 1991 still has the original tubes, original filter caps, original fan and produces between 1200 and 1400 watts output depending on band.

The newer one has had a tube replacement as the fellow that had it before me abused the amp. I put in a new matched pair of 3-500's and changed the parasitic suppressors to the Rich Measures design. I find the amp tunes much smoother, no flash-over events noted and makes more than 1200 watts out on all bands including 10M.

73
Bob, K4TAX





----- Original Message ----- From: "Richards" <jrichards@k8jhr.com>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2014 5:53 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Care and Feeding of Centurions


Whoa...  THANKS FOR ALL THE PROMPT ANSWERS !!

1) I will follow the recommended internal check. I will enlist the oversight of a local Elmer who retired from designing radio gear for Lear Jets, NASA, and the Air Force. He looks over my shoulder ans asks a lot of questions, like the Professor in a college physics lab. He won't do it, but he watches and quizzes me as I go along, so I learn a lot.

2) I will locate the referenced QST article, and be careful it applies to this type of amp.

3) I get the point that proper handling is the key to longevity. I never run it over 600 watts and watch the meters carefully. I received good advice on proper tuning from this group when I purchased it, so I got off to a good start. I never push it, as I am serious about being a courteous and good operator, with a good clean signal. Similarly, I buy big cars with big engines, and then run them easy, usually owning a car for up to fifteen years. ... Well... OK... that is, most of the time... occasionally, I take the sports cars out for a "spirited ride" because, like a good racing or hunting hound, they need the exercise... ;-)

4) As for a spare transformer... sheesh... while I take the point seriously... I don't expect to last another 20 years! My wife says, we agreed "... until death do us part..." which she says could come sooner or later... so all bets are off!

Thanks, again.

------------------------------  JHR -------------------------



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