[Amps] Intro and a query - which amp?

[Carl]

If you dont need 160M the Heath will do what you want and was a 
contesters mainstay for decades and still used by many. Keep the drive 
down to 1000W out, the difference in power cant be heard on the other 
end. The same with the L4 and L7.

The various 3 holer 8874 Alphas are bargains these days as long as you 
get full output tubes. Then keep the drive down and 1200W output. 
Loafing like that and the tubes will last decades.

The Titan has had its share of problems, look for late production and 
again keep the power down. Tubes will be available for awhile longer as 
they are still used in medical and commercial applications.

Even a good MLA-2500 will give years of service if operated sanely and 
NOT with the drive load resistor cut out. I use a MLA as the amp on the 
second radio primarily chasing DX and no problems at 1000W out for the 
past 10 years.

I maintain amps for several contesters from single op to MM as well as a 
few of the Caribbean contest stations.

The major failure mode is cockpit errors at 3 AM!

Carl
KM1H
Amplifier Repairs and 6M Conversions since 1964


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Hanlon" <asciibaron at comcast.net>
To: <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, November 07, 2008 5:11 PM
Subject: [Amps] Intro and a query - which amp?


>A quick intro - been a ham since 2003, upgraded to General in 2004, and
> then to Extra in 2006.  i currently have a 30L1.
>
> i push the 30L1 too hard in contests and want to move to an amp that 
> is
> better suited to a contest environment.  i have been looking at the
> Alpha 76, and Alpha 78 as possible options, but the price of the 
> "rare"
> tubes makes me nervous as does availability (or lack thereof) for 
> spare
> parts.  some suggested options are the Ten Tec 425, Drake L4B, 
> Heathkit
> SB-220(221), Commander HF-2500, or an AL1200.
>
> I have been told to be weary of the Ten Tec and the AL1200, the L4B
> isn't up to the challenge of running past 1200w for extend periods, 
> and
> the SB-220 won't run past 1300 without some stress to the tubes and
> power supply.
>
> Looking for some guidance for my $1500.00 or so budget.
>
> I will be driving it with an Icom 756PROII.
>
> -Steve, WM3O
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