[Amps] AL-1200 on AM

[Joe Isabella]

Hi Daniel, 
As an AM'er myself (with modern equipment as well as Boat Anchors), I can tell you that the '1200 should be excellent!  The way to tune the amp is the way you always would for SSB at legal limit (you'll want to use the CW tap, though).  I tune my amp up for max smoke (around 1500W PEP with a string of dits at ~100W) then drive the amp with enough carrier to get 350-375W out.  That seems to be at about 20-25W for my Henry 3K-A.  Then, when you forward modulate it at 100%, you'll be well within the rig's linear output range as well as the amp's at ~1500W PEP.  The 1200 is a lot easier to drive than a pair of 3-500Zs, so you'll probably have to adjust your rig's output power appropriately.  A lot of guys with low-drive amps simply turn down the rig's power (via the service manual's alignment proceedure) so there's no chance of accidentally overdriving it.  I would think 50-60W PEP into that beast would be plenty.
 
As an aside, there are a few mods for the 850 that will allow it to sound pristine on AM.  I'm about to do them to my 950SDX (these two rigs are very similar), so look for me in the AM window with it soon...
 
Feel free to contact me off-list for some more tips.  Look forward to hearing you on AM!
 
73,
Joe, N3JI


Daniel Hileman <n9wx at hotmail.com> wrote:
Hi Everyone,

I am thinking of buying an AL-1200 (as opposed to the 1500, because of the 
3cx1200's great track record) and am getting interested in AM operation, I 
have Kenwood TS-850s which is supposed to be GREAT on AM. One of these 
days, I will get a nice Big Boat anchor..but for now the 850 will have to 
do. My question is, how much carrier can I safely get out of the 1200?? I 
figure my 25 watt carrier from the 850 will NOT drive the amp hard on AM, 
but just curious. If I had the ability to drive the amp on AM, what would be 
a safe carrier limit out of the amp?

Thanks for all your input,

73,

Daniel N9WX


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