[Amps] ARD-230A

[Fortra]

Hi Richard,

thanks for the info's.Just got the mail from the guy, who said that he has 
also analog remote control box, which replace the digital one! Guess, would 
have to travel serious miles in order to check the beast! Alas Italy is 
closer then US! In case that I will bought the beast I will ask for the 
favor Rich!

Thanks to all, it has been, not just educational but also entertaining 
thread!

Nermin S58DX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "R. Measures" <r at somis.org>
To: "Fortra" <fortra at siol.net>
Cc: <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2005 3:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] ARD-230A


>
> On Aug 12, 2005, at 4:48 AM, Fortra wrote:
>
>> Hi Amperes,
>>
>> I am in process to make a difficult decision, whether to buy an Advanced 
>> Radio Devices Amplifier ARD-230A. The amp is in apparently good 
>> conditions, with quality parts, and operational. Does anyone of you have 
>> had any experience with it??
>
> I used to discuss, via mail and telephone, the ARD 230A  with the factory 
> technician who repaired them.  He told me that some of units that came 
> back under warranty for repair appeared to have been damaged by 
> intermittent VHF or possibly UHF parasitic oscillations, which should 
> probably not be surprising since the 3cx800A7 is rated for full input in 
> "Amplifier and Oscillator Service" up to 500MHz.  After he read my 
> articles in *QST* discussing parasites, he became more convinced that he 
> was on the right track and he contacted me.  He subsequently informed the 
> owner and designer of the repeated signs of such damage he was seeing and 
> suggested that they try decreasing the Q of the VHF suppressors in order 
> to decrease VHF and UHF gain.  The suggestion was rejected, the problems 
> continued, and within a year ARD went under.  I still have the set of ARD 
> 230A drawings he sent me during the discussions, so if you would like to 
> have them I will mail them to you.
>
>> Judging from Google search, most of the problems were with software (run 
>> by Z-80 processor).
>
> - - - Editorial opinion -- As I see it, unless the equipment is to be 
> operated by a moderately retarded chimpanzee, trying to control a RF power 
> amplifier with a microprocessor makes about as much sense as trying to 
> control a lawnmower with one.
>
>> Amp has otherwise quality parts as Alpha not to get into great detail.But 
>> as it is fully remote, should I give in into it....Your advices please!
>>
>> p.s.It has pair of 3cx800a7
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>>
>>
>
> Richard L. Measures, AG6K, 805.386.3734.  www.somis.org
>
>