[Amps] Standby tubes (was: Even more power solid-state amp's)

[Will Matney]

Phil and others,

At the time, WLW's claim to fame was the largest transmitter in the world or maybe free world. It held the record for the largest PA in the US. Now since VOA is a megawatt, it happened after WLW I would think. The one in Mexico in a way didn't count against the WLW record because of the PA in a different country. I wouldn't mind seeing the VOA setup if they would allow visitors. I've driven by it but never been inside like the old WLW building. The WLW modulation tranny was something to look at, about 8-10 feet tall. Henry mentioned the tubes and they are a good 5 feet tall, and glass at that or partly if I remember cause they're water cooled. I'd hate to see what the cost of one would be today. The thing to, they lost most of the manual for the PA! The power supply took up a complete room. I always did wonder what the RF exposure was though because I'm not for sure if the building is shielded.

This brings me to a question, does anyone know what VOA uses for the final PA?

Best,

Will

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On 4/2/05 at 7:05 PM Phil Clements wrote:

>Everytime I ever remembered WLW it reminded me of the old TV commercial,
>"When EF Hutton talks, everybody listens"! I dont recon nothing has ever
>been built to top it as that amount of power was found to just be too much,
>hi hi. One thing though, the tower was close to the building and I wonder
>what type of RF radiation those folks were exposed to?
>
>One that comes close, or might even have beat WLW was XERF in Del Rio Texas
>with transmitter in Via Cunya Mexico. I have read tales from the guys that
>built/ran the station, but I don't remember the details and the power
>output. The signal was awesome, all over North America.
>
>(((73)))
>Phil, K5PC