[Amps] New ARRL Book on RF Amplifiers

[Will Matney]

Jason,
There are several publications and books that have what you want. For a 
couple of 3-500Z's, Eimac had a full schematic and parts list in the 
back of the tube spec sheet. That amp has been copied over and over 
again. Another way is to get hold of a Heathkit SB-220 manual. I will 
show the construction of a two tube, 3-500-Z from scratch. William Orr's 
Radio Handbook will show a good bit. There's several versions of this 
book, and the newer one deals more with solid state electronics. I have 
two which I use of his. The one with the most tube information is, 19th 
edition, 1972 . The ARRL Handbook, especially the ones from the 60's 
through the 80's have very good info on several amps built with the 
3-500-Z and 4-400A. QST used to have really good articles in it. The 
70's and the 80's were good years for them. Richard Measure authored 
several good articles. A lot of his work is available on his website, 
http://www.somis.org  .A good old amp to buy and overhaul was the 
"Blackcat 2000" made by Wawasee Electronics. They made both a full Ham 
version and a shady version. They can give you a good chassis to build 
from as can an old SB-220 Heathkit. This new Amplifier book were talking 
about by the ARRL will probably have a good bit on one. It shows a 
SB-220 open on the front cover, or at least it favors one. One last book 
to mention, if you can get your hands on one, is the Reference Data for 
radio engineers. I have the 4th edition printed in 1957, 3rd printing. 
It is by ITT (International Telephone and Telegraph). It has a wealth of 
info on about every aspect of designing radio equipment.

Most all these books, and magazines, can be found on ebay with decent 
pricing. You just have to be a sly shopper and know what to look for. I 
collect electronic and ham related books. I have a very large library 
here going back to 1919. From spark gap transmitters, telegraph, and 
todays technology, I probably have something on it. Of course, I spent 
several years in finding, hoarding, and collecting too. One last 
thought, if you like close to a Goodwill, or a major flea market, you 
can sometimes pick up books here for pennies. Most of these books, if 
you can find one at Goodwill, will be a whopping 0.50 cents! Plus it 
keeps handicapped folks working. As a handicapped person, I push this a 
lot. My sister worked for them as a regular employee (not handicapped), 
and they are a good company. I had to put a plug in for them so please 
don't get offended =)

Hope this helps with your search!

Will Matney

Jason Buchanan wrote:

> Will Matney wrote:
>
>> Shame they didn't add stuff from the 60's and 70's too. The 70's had 
>> some really good amps. I'd like to see them publish one with every 
>> amp design in the handbooks and QST from 1940 vintage on up to today. 
>> Now that I would buy, but probably will this one anyways =)
>
>
>
> Do you know of a good place for an aspiring ham to find books (or 
> book) on how to build an amplifier?  I would very much like to build a 
> 3-500Z-based amplifier but I don't know where to start.  I have worked 
> around electronics for years, including high voltage devices like 
> CRTs, etc. so I am aware of the safety aspects involved, or at least 
> most of 'em - hi
>
>
> Thanks!
> Jason N1SU
>
>
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