Hi Phil...
The two-tube 77Sx was perfectly legal and we sold it openly for a period of
time (about a year, as I recall) BEFORE the FCC type acceptance rules were
implemented in April 1978.
It also was perfectly legal for suitably-licensed hams to modify their own
amplifiers in virtually any way they wished AFTER 4/78, so long as they
operated within the rules.
There were NO "factory modifications" of 77Sx models to 77Sx (two tube)
versions after 4/78, and I'm not aware of any individual or organization, my
good friend Don Payne included, who made such mods commercially (for others,
which would have been illegal) thereafter.
I mostly agree with your perception of the benefits of government
"micro-regulation." There's a long history of blatantly political regulatory
actions which have turned out to be not only foolish and wasteful but often
counterproductive as well.
73, Dick W0ID
----- Original Message -----
From: "Phil Clements" <philk5pc@tyler.net>
To: "Richard Ehrhorn" <w4eto@earthlink.net>; <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 12:48 PM
Subject: Re: [AMPS] Commander 2500E
>
> Subject: Re: [AMPS] Commander 2500E
> > Phil, re your comment (below), such illegal goings-on may not be unique
to
> > one manufacturer, but NEITHER are they engaged in by ALL.
> >
> > For the record, neither ALPHA/POWER nor its predecessor ETO has ever
> > knowingly promoted or sold amplifiers in violation of FCC rules
applicable
> > to the amateur (or CB) radio service. Neither, I'll wager, have other
> > legitimate and ethical manufacturers who value their reputations (e.g.,
> > Ten-Tec).
>
> Although your above statement is technically correct, let's talk about the
> Alpha 77DX/77SX. The 77DX came with a spare hole for another tube.
> A "kit" was available for around $895 with all the parts and tube to
convert
> the DX into an SX. This was not openly advertized, but word got around
> very quickly. I have no idea what ETO's relationship was with Payne Radio,
> but he openly advertized and sold Alpha 77DX's that had "factory installed
> kits" already aboard. A factory converted "SX" has more value to this day
> than does a "field converted" unit. Even the 77SX amps built from the
chassis
> up at the ETO factory for sale to government, military, and export
customers
> had the standard "77DX' front panel, so they all looked the same from the
> outside. Mr. Payne built up a clientele from among the very wealthy
Amateurs,
> and the ownership of SX's was a common-place "status symbol" among them.
> Most of them ended up in the owner's closet after very brief use because
of
> fear about getting caught, or after melting traps and coax in their
too-modest
> antenna systems.
>
> > So far as I know, no U.S. regulation prohibits building or selling cars
> > capable of doing 150+ mph - that's left up to drivers and law
enforcement to
> > work out. So car speed capability really isn't a good analogy to FCC's
> > transmitter power rules.
>
> I think it is an excellent analogy, Dick. I compare the car engine size to
> the size of a tube. IMHO, amps should be manufactured with ONE tube,
> selected to operate at the customer's desired level, with a 100% fudge
> factor for reliability and long component life. Running above legal limit
> should be left up to the operator and law enforcement to work out.
>
> Our government, in its infinate wisdom knows better than to try to limit
> engine size, but think it is okay to put limits on amp manufacturers.
> The cost of a 3CX3000A7 is now cheaper than an 8877, and has the
> power of a pair. The YC-156 is becoming as popular as the 4-1000A
> was 20 years ago, and can be bought for less. The difference is that
> the Amp manufacturer's lobby in Washington (if any!) is very small
> compared to the auto manufacturer's lobby. Multiple tube amps and
> easy 10 meter conversions by the customer are a method of living
> with, and getting around stupid government rules.
>
> > If BMW (or even Yugo) ignores the rules and tries to import cars that
aren't
> > certified, EPA will nail them. I think we do need some FCC rules, but
they
> > also ought to be enforced - and uniformly - or ditched entirely.
>
> The rules we need should be for operators of vehicles and radios,
> Not the manufacturers. Leave speed, power, and emissions (RF and
> CO) up to local enforcement. That will force the manufacturers to comply
> from the grass-roots marketplace. Not from Washington D.C. down.
>
> We need to take back this country before all the lakes are full of gas
> additives and the airwaves are full of un-filtered 11 meter amps!
>
> (((73)))
> Phil, K5PC
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
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