On Wed, 15 Apr 1998 21:50:05 +0000 "Scott Babb" <sbabb@pop.tiac.net>
writes:
>Are there any "good" amps out there?
>
>Like a good doo-bee, I've read through the AMPS archives looking
>for info on amps that might meet my needs. It seems that every
>amp I've considered has at least a few of the AMPS experts
>talking about the various evils of that amp. Either it has a
>problem with VHF parasitics, or it uses tubes that cost more than
>the amp is worth, or it won't behave with a solid-state rig unless
>you sacrifice a goat every full moon, or *something* is wrong.
>
>I'm new to contesting and amps, and I'm looking for something
>inexpensive (50 cents/watt or less) that will do the following:
>
>1. Work 160-10 meters. WARC DXing would be nice, too.
>2. Have tubes that can be replaced without taking a bank loan.
>3. Put out at least 500W CW and 750W SSB. 1kW+ would be nice.
>4. Work well enough for contesting and DXing, including RTTY.
>5. Behave nicely with a solid-state rig (IC-751A.)
>
>Is that too much to ask? I've considered the Dentron Clipperton L
Here are a few ideas Scott along with average prices:
Clipperton L: Majority do not have a tuned input. A few simple mods and
it works fine on WARC's and 160M. $400
AL80A/SB-1000: Eats bandswitches when underloaded, otherwise fine...no
parasitics. $600
Amp Supply LK450: Similar to AL80 but better bandswitch. $450
Drake L-7: Covers 9 Bands just fine. Wimpy PS otherwise a real
workhorse. $750
Amp Supply LK-500ZC: The ZC the last and best of the series. No
particular problems and good components. $750
MLA2500: Find one with good tubes and dont worry about it. At 1300-1400W
there are no weak points. $500
Yaesu FL-2100F: Kind of scarce. Needs a $4 bias mod to use Russian or
Chinese 572B's. $450
Kenwood TL-922: A few cheap improvements and it runs forever. $950
Alpha: Almost any of the 8874 versions. Change plate choke for 12M.
$1200
I probably missed a few that are favored by others.
Have fun Carl KM1H
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