[AMPS] SB220 mod results

John T. M. Lyles jtml@lanl.gov
Thu, 13 Jan 2000 11:30:13 -0700


6 years ago, I modified my SB220 with a new input Pi network(raised 
Q), with some AG6K parasitic suppressor mods, with various other 
improvements including step start, better RF relay switching, better 
HV diodes, capacitor equilizer resistors, etc. Here are the test 
results for the amplifier when driven by IC735 and a key. I think i 
was using a Bird 43 with Peak hold modification board. Used Bird 
oil-cooled dummy load.

The results show the improvement had on input match, esp to 40 and 10 
meters. Some other bands were marginally better. Gain was better in 
most cases, got more grid drive into 3-500Zs. The second test shows 
the power ouput, with this unit wired for 240VAC. I am not sure if my 
unit is typical, and in retrospect I thought the plate voltage Ep 
should be higher in SSB. Perhaps I made an error in the records, that 
was 5 years ago, and i just typed it all into Excel for the first 
time. The triodes are many years old in this rig, but I am not 
complaining about the RF power it makes. Note that at 10 meters it 
definitely slumps off. The 'apparent' calculated plate dissipation 
went up to, but I suspect the tank circuit and nichrome are some of 
the dissipators of the missing RF output power.

If anyone wants to see circuit diagram of the SB220 with finished 
mods, let me know and I can email a GIF file
directly.

73
John
K5PRO





Input Match Tests:
50 Ohm Load, Fast Dits, CW mode
                    Heath Stock Input Network 2/13/94 
Modified Input Network 2/20/94
Freq (MHz)  Pout   Ig(mA)  Ip(A)  Input VSWR          Pout   Ig(mA) 
Ip(A)   Input VSWR
3.51              450  80         0.36     1.1 
485     120      0.45      1.5
3.6                 500  80         0.36     1.1 
540     120       0.41     1.4
3.7                 550  85         0.35     1.1 
580     135       0.41     1.2
3.8                 600  85         0.34       1 
640      140        0.4      1.1
3.9                 650  90         0.34       1 
650      155        0.4       1
4                    650   85        0.34     1.1 
610      145       0.41      1

7.01              750  100       0.39       3 
670        165       0.41     1.4
7.1                950   125      0.47     3.1 
680        150        0.4      1.2
7.2                750   100       0.4       2 
680        155         0.4      1.1
7.3                700   90        0.38     1.5 
670        160       0.395     1

14.01           670    90       0.35     1.1                     680 
165        0.42       1
14.1             680   110      0.33     1.1                     670 
160        0.44       1
14.2             670   105      0.33       1                      670 
165        0.43       1
14.3             690   100      0.34     1.1                     680 
170        0.43       1
14.35           680    90       0.34     1.1                     680 
170       0.425      1

18.14              no good 
no good                            2.8on 15 MB setting

21.01           650   130      0.34     1.2                     670 
160        0.45       1
21.1             600     80       0.31    1.15                   670 
165         0.44      1
21.2             550     90        0.3     1.2 
670       165         0.44      1
21.3             650     95       0.34    1.15                   680 
165        0.44     1.1
21.4             650     95       0.33     1.1                    670 
170        0.44     1.1

24.94           550    115     0.33     2.1                      no 
good                            3.5on 15 MB setting

28.01           420     85      0.33       3                      470 
155        0.39     1.2
28.1             350     80       0.32       3 
480       150        0.395   1.2
28.2             350     70        0.3      2.8 
480       140         0.4       1.2
28.3             350     80       0.32     2.4                    480 
135         0.4      1.15
28.4             500     90       0.34       2 
480       135         0.4       1.2
28.5             600    175      0.36       2                     480 
135       0.39      1.2
28.6             600    120      0.38       2                     480 
138       0.39      1.15
28.7             650    140      0.39     2.1                    480 
138       0.39      1.15
28.8             650    160      0.39     2.5                    480 
140      0.39       1.15
29                680    130        0.4       3 
470       145      0.375    1.3
29.2 
470      130       0.38      1.3
29.5             500     80       0.32       3 
470      135       0.37      1.4
29.7 
460      130       0.37      1.4


RF Power Tests:
50 Ohm Load, Fast Dits and keyed down, SSB mode
                                           2/20/94
Freq (MHz)      Pout    Ig          Ip        Ep DC       Pin 
Loading       n1%     n2%      Plate Dissp (W per tube)
3.88               1080   240    0.64      2300           95 
4.5           69         73.3     243
7.2                 1150   230    0.68      2300            90 
4.4           69.5     73.5     252
14.25            1200   265    0.71       2300           85 
4.4           69.8      73.5     259
21.3              1250   265     0.71       2320          85 
4.9           72        75.8     241
28.35            920     210      0.62     2380           85 
5.2           59        62.4     320

NOTES:
n1%= Pout/[(EpxIp)+Pin]     Power-added efficiency
n2%= Pout/(EpxIp)               Output efficiency only
Plate Dissp=(Pdc + Pin)  - Pout    (some lost in grid and ciruit also)
10 meter losses are higher in Nichrome parasitic suppressor

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