[Amps] Amp failure advice please.

[TexasRF at aol.com]

I have a 70cm amplifier that recently showed exactly the same symptoms 
described. The problem turned out to be a shorted coax jumper (approx 6 inches long) 
between the amplifier output connector and a coax relay.

The jumper was made of LMR400 and had the weight of two relays and two coax 
cables hanging on it. I assume that the center conductor migrated and shorted 
to the shield but it was not investigated to be sure.

A new, longer jumper was made of LMR600 and all is now well. The correct 
solution will require fabrication of a bracket to support the hanging weight but 
who has time to do that?

73,
Gerald/K5GW