[AMPS] ALC

[Colin Lamb]

Hi Ron:

If the ALC operates, the rise time of ALC voltage will occur after the
amplifier stage has amplified the leading pulse of the signal.  If the
amplifier can remain linear with the leading pulse, you would be ok.  But,
if the amplifier flattens the leading pulse out, you will have splatter.

If your amplifier is not linear without the ALC (going into a dummy load of
course), the ALC will not prevent splatter.  But, if the ALC is used to
simply drop the power down to the "average 1500 watts", it may provide some
benefit as a compressor.  But, your transceiver compressor would probably do
a better job.

Some very nice high end transceivers operating into high end amplifiers will
splatter because the guy at the controls does not understand this.

The worst case of non-compatibility would be the Atlas series - since the
ALC is opposite in polarity to the rest of the world.  Time constant is
important as well as operating voltage.

Simplest approach is to not use ALC.  Otherwise be prepared to review the
results to see if they are what is desired.  In fact, that is always a good
approach.

73,  Colin  K7FM


--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/ampsfaq.html
Submissions:              amps@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  amps-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-amps@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm