[AMPS] Decision time Approaches

[Radiodan W7RF]

Jim, you wrote,

>
> Ok,  in a day or two I will probably be sending off to Radiodan an order
> for either of the two "Ultra" models,  3K or 8K.  These offer the desk
> top controller unit and the base/PS/RF deck remoted.  Also are
> the only amps Henry seems to offer covering the 160 band.

HENRY also makes the "Premier" series which will do 160-10M

>
> Now,  other than the price delta between the two,  with my set up
> I would achieve about the same power output as both units
> offer essentially the same gain.  So with just less than
> 100 watts drive, out comes our legal limit  (around 13 dB gain).
>
> Dan has offered very acceptable terms for my situation on either
> unit.

I understand he's a heckova guy!(HI)

> Now a few questions/comments.
> At my age,  this will be my last major ham radio purchase,  for sure!
> And am sure a new Henry will last longer than I will,  hi;  then all will
> go to one of my son's or grandchildren,  though now,  only my oldest
> son is licensed,  but very busy raising his family,  hi; but now have 5
> grandchildren, including one boy already 12,  and working on his
> CW,  hooray!

Don't feel bad, HENRYs outlive younger men too! Congrats on the new CW fan.

>
> But I wander.  The tubes in the Henry units intrigue me;  they are
> "instant on"!.  My present linear mandates a 3 minute wait before
> it will operate after powering up.  What is different here?  Some sort
> of un-needed cathode warm-up or chemical emission enhancement
> process required in 3CX800's not needed in  3CX1200D7's  or the
> 3CX3000A7  triodes?  Any comments about the tubes Henry is using;
> guess they have used them for decades,  or so,  hi.

It's a matter of directly heated vs indirectly heated cathode.
HENRY uses the 3CX1200A7 and 3CX3000A7 as standard tubes which are the most
rugges tubes commonly used in amateur amplifiers and are indeed instant on
as the above tubes are directly heated.


>
> To get real high (out of the rules)  power out,  one must have an
> intermediate driver amplifier to boost ones transceiver power
> up to the 300 to 400 watt level.

On the 8K it's 250-300 for full output.

>
> So why go to the 8K,  or why would I even consider it?  Because of
> my natural conservatism;  it would represent margin and headroom,
> probably better linearity of the triode transfer characteristic in the
> Pout range of interest to me;  and probably very long lasting,  under
> utilized components.  Now the 8K spec says it will draw 40 amps
> from the 240 volt,  single phase supply.  However,  I presume that
> is only at,  or near max output,  as I am sure Henry does not have
> the triodes biased in Class A ,  hi!  Though that seems to be
> where a triode is most linear in the transfer characteristic.

Yes, about 40 amps only on full power output.

>
> Before ordering,  I guess I have to stew about the decision a bit longer,
> and I need to know the exact dimensions of the controller sitting on the
> desk,  and of the height,  etc. of the remotable unit.  Does Henry supply
> the mating cables,  etc.  Seems unusual,  but Henry uses a BNC
> connector as the input to the amp.

Controller 17.5' W x 10" H x 10.5' D.
Console 20" W x 32' H x 22"D.
HENRY has always used the BNC as an input connector. I suppose it is a way
to definately not mix up the input and output. The BNC is a very good
connector and can easily handle the input powers going through it.

>
> Yesterday,  I had the great pleasure of visiting the Pacific Super Contest
> Station,  KH7R over on the far North tip of the Island of Oahu, just above
> the world famous Waimea Bay beach and world class surfing.
>
> Wow!!
> Six towers,  one per band,  up to three beams per tower,  inc 3 ele on
> 40!  Eight over eight on 10,  etc.  Plus, at least 12 Henry 3KA,  D,  and
> Classics sitting around;  one at each of five band stations,  and a bunch
> of spares sitting toward the center of the LARGE contest operating
> room.

If you look at the magazine advertising, you're led to believe that all
Dxers and contesters use only one brand of amp. This, amongst other ad hype,
is (as you have seen) simply NOT the case.

The place was a bee hive of activity in preparation for next
> weekends CQWW SSB test!  I was fascinated by the strategy planning
> in progress:  Band captains were pouring through  computer print outs  of
> when various prefix's were first heard last year on each band,  etc.,
> etc.,  etc.  Just amazing activity,  both the the many,  many pieces of
> equipment and towers,  as well as the CT computer network,  and
> all that planning on going.  However,  I took careful note of all the
> Henry's sitting around with carefully marked control settings,  etc.
> Never knowing which may be pressed into service on which band,
> the attached crib notes on each amp told exactly what control
> settings to dial up to get a quick head-up on any of the contest
> bands (except 160,  there a solid state unit from one of the Japanese
> companies is used,  as I recall).
>
> Anyway,  I digressed again,  hi.  Lets see.  Oh  yes,  noticed that the
> power switches were on the base of the Henry's at KH7R;  that would
> seem to defeat part of the feature of the remote capability of the
> Ultra,  if one had to go to the remote unit to turn things on when
> a linear was felt needed in a hot DX pileup a building!
> Also,  wonder if the Henry is internally by-passed when not
> required,  so that all that is needed to bring the linear on line
> is to just switch it on.

Power switch is on the controller. Just turn it on and GO....!

>
> Oh yes,  the Ultra's have vacuum relays,  which can approach
> QSK CW,  and they are pretty quiet,  so my Ten Tec OmniVI+
> should get along with an Ultra just fine in QSK mode.
>
> So anything else I ought to consider before giving up on my Alpha
> 87A of great service these past seven years to go on to a Henry Ultra?

Let me count the reasons............(and the trade-ins!)

>
> 73,  Jim,  KH7M
> On the Garden Island of Kauai
> (Queen Emma gave Kauai the Garden Island designation after
> her visits here in the 1860's, 70's,  where she had a home not
> quite a mile from this QTH just above the mouth of Lawai stream).
>
>
>
>
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>
>


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