[Amps] 4-400A Anode Voltage???

[Jeffrey Madore]

Respectfully, my next questions are: What is the limiting factor. If the
4-400, operated as a triode, were capable of 1200w pep, would not the 3-500
be capable of 25% more? I'm making my assumption on anode dissipation only.
Is the limiting factor in the filament structure, in that it's emissive
capability would not support additional output?

And, if we were to produce 1200w pep from a 4-400 and compare it on the air
with an 8877 amp backed down to produce the same peak power, could the ear
on the other end distinguish the difference in signal quality, bandwidth,
etc?

Audio amp experience tells me that headroom is very important and that a
500w amp sounds superior to a 100w amp operated at the same average
listening level. I see this as due to it's capability of greater transient
response before distortion - meaning that these transients would create
excursions beyond the 100w level. In this situation, if I were to reduce the
volume to limit these peaks such that they fell within the headroom of the
100w amp, I'm not sure I could tell the difference between the amplifiers.

Would not the same concept apply to an RF linear amplifier? If the *peak*
power were kept within the capability of the device / power supply, etc,
would the ear at the receiver be able to distinguish a difference in signal
quality?

I do understand that operating a device beyond the manufacturer
specifications is not good design practice, however, I am thinking along the
lines of a recent thread referring to a compact amplifier. For that
application I might trade off tube life for size, weight, and portability.

Appreciate any comments,

Jeff - K1LE - CT ><>



----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich" <2@vc.net>
To: "Jeffrey Madore" <K1LE@arrl.net>
Sent: Monday, October 21, 2002 7:30 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] 4-400A Anode Voltage???


> Perhaps 1200w pep in SSB.
>
> >Rich,
> > In your experience, roughly what maximum output power would you expect
from
> >a single 4-400, in GG configuration with 5 Kv anode voltage?
> >
> >Thanks, Jeff
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: "Rich" <2@vc.net>
> >
> >
> >> I have heard of 5kV for SSB only using g-g config.  However, tuning up
> >> with pulses or dits is probably not a bad idea.  Also, more anode-V
> >> yields more gain.  This is both good and not good, so one should take
> >> appropriate measures to avoid fireworks.