[Amps] Tank tweaking

[wwd@netheaven.com]

>A few months ago I posted a query about crummy efficiency on my homebrew
>5CX1500 AB1 amp. I have cured most of the original problems by re-doing
>the input circuit and tweaking the output tank coils. Oh, 'tweaking'
>means creating a lot of scrap copper.

>It works well on 10 through 80.   Efficiency on the order of 60%, the
>'real world' tune and load pF are very close to the calculated values. 
>I'm using a spreadsheet I cooked up from the W5FD formulas.

>But... I have been chasing my tail on 160M.  The calculated C1 / L / C2
>values at 1.9 MHz are 298pF / 25.47 uH / 1708 pF.  Actual values are 276
>pF / 25.53 uH / 600 pF.  Efficiency is off to 48%.  

>The tank coils are 3/16" copper tubing for 10/15/20 and a hunk of coil
>stock for 40/80/160.   Plate blocking may be a bit small @ 800 pF - would
>that have such a huge effect on loading?  The plate choke is an RFParts
>RFC-3 (Ameritron) 225 uH & I don't feel any undo heating.  Plate bypass
>is a pair of 500 pF @ 30KV caps & I've tried adding an additional 1000 pF
>6KV disk ceramic with no effect.

>The input is across a 200 ohm grid resistor with a 4:1 balun. It is
>untuned on 160 and 80, tuned on 10 thru 40.

>Ideas?

Search reveals no _Q_ or _q_ in message body. He who dance around Q can
never achieve bliss...

Bill    K2AME







~~~