[Amps] Henry console value

[Carl]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Fern" <crc at cyberlink.bc.ca>
To: "Donald Fox" <taurusshoguy at yahoo.com>; <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 7:27 PM
Subject: [Amps] Henry console value

SNIP

However, I still think that the 2K series in good condition are
worth a heck of a lot more than the $400 to $600 mark especially when the
going price for the Heathkit SB-220 is at the high end of these. Look at the
exhorbitant prices that some are paying for those dentron amps with the
obsolete 8875 tubes.

73 and Best of the New Years to all on the reflector from Fern   VE7GZ
-------------------------------------------------------------

Unless there is a huge change in attitudes about a big and heavy 2K it will 
continue to linger in that price range in most areas of the country. Its not 
a bad amp but they are all over 40 years old and many need TLC or soft and 
obsolete 3-400Z's requiring a 3-500Z retrofit.

The SB-220 has recently jumped in price due to the CB hams which have been 
given licenses. They remember that amp as a favorite of many on 27 mHz along 
with some other brands which have jumped in value such as the various 
Dentrons.

The MLA-2500 is a decent amp with a few minor changes and when run as 
designed. The 8875's are 300W Pd 8874's with horizontal cooling and will run 
for decades at 1000W. Their downfall is idiots who cut out the input 
swamping resistor and run 100W+ right to the grids. Yep, you can get 
1300-1500W....for awhile. However $800-1100 (some Ebay prices Ive noticed) 
for one with known soft tubes is pure idiocy even if different tubes will be 
retrofitted.
One has been my 2nd station amp for almost 20 years with zero problems but 
thats only because I have a NIB set of tubes on the shelf......Ive seen them 
going for over $1000!

Carl
KM1H







>       Well said Don. I have two Henry amps with the 3K Classic xport mark
> II series uses the 3CX1200A7 that cover 80 to 10 meters and last 
> year(since
> I was lacking the 160 meter band on the 3K Classic) I picked up a 3K
> Premiere Xport version with the 3CX1200D7 tube and covers 160 to 10 
> meters.
> I don't have any problems with either of them and would buy one of them
> without hesitation. Some of the early 2K series had some issues but I'm 
> not
> aware of similar situation with the 3K series. One of the big going for
> these amps is that they are instant on with no wait time for transmit. I
> have two other amps an alpha 86 with 3CX800A7's which has 3 minute warm up
> time as well as a Viewstar PT-3000A with 8877 which also has warm up time 
> of
> 3 minutes. However, I still think that the 2K series in good condition are
> worth a heck of a lot more than the $400 to $600 mark especially when the
> going price for the Heathkit SB-220 is at the high end of these. Look at 
> the
> exhorbitant prices that some are paying for those dentron amps with the
> obsolete 8875 tubes.
>     73 and Best of the New Years to all on the reflector from Fern   VE7GZ
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Donald Fox" <taurusshoguy at yahoo.com>
> To: <amps at contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, December 31, 2009 5:11 PM
> Subject: [Amps] Henry console value
>
>
> I do a lot of lurking here, but have to weigh in on this.
>
> I think Carl is thinking of the older Henry console amps prior to the
> Classic series. Admittedly, I am slightly biased having both a 2KX and a 
> 3KX
> in the shack at the moment.
>
> While the Henrys are big, low tech, and pricey for their time, they are
> pretty reliable as long as one takes care of them. I would not call them a
> contest amp per se, although I think a Henry can hang in there when 
> compared
> with an equal specimen of another brand.
>
> I find them (the consoles any) roomy and easy to work on. You won't throw
> one under your arm and trot off to Field Day with it, but from any 
> location
> it will put out reliable power when and where you need it pretty much from
> 3-30mhz.
>
> While a Henry console will not compare with an Alpha or other high tech
> modern amp when it comes to no tune up or quiet operation, I feel that 
> they
> have earned a spot in ham radio history as a formidable amplifier that was
> in some ways ahead of its time.
>
> I think the use of a variable coil and fixed capacitors to be an 
> interesting
> deviation from the standard Pi network that everyone else uses.
>
> If I had the bucks, I would buy all of the Classic consoles I could get my
> paws on for less than a grand, and regularly see the 2K and 2KX consoles
> sell for $1400-1800.00.
>
> The HV PS in all but the base 2K is capable of much more than a pair of
> 3-500zs could ever ask from it.
>
> I know if my Henry blows up, I can repair it. I would not make the same
> wager with an Alpha, Emtron, or PW1, etc.
>
> Don
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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