[Amps] [amps]SB200 on 6m & my take

[Paul Decker]

I've started this email three times now... 



You guys on the list have always been a great help and resource for me.   This subject comes up every few months, but JEEZ....what the HELL is the problem with you guys? 



If you all were in a room together discussing amps or on the air, would you behave this way? 



Who cares if so and so sells this or that and it's not so good as something else.   As a professional software engineer, I'm sure people look at my code and say how crappy it is too!  BUT it does (hopefully) work.   At least I try to make and test it as much as possible. 





The 3cx800a7 has full ratings to 350 Mhz, yet there are many designs with it in operation to 450Mhz and beyond...just with reduced outputs. 



The 3-500z's have full ratings to 110 Mhz, yet there are designs with it on 2m. 



Let's example the television sweep tube 6KD6, 6LQ6, what are those rated to in a class AB1 rf amplifier?   Yet, still there are were many home brew and commercial amps/finals built to use it. 



Did anyone ever used to overclock their PC to get more performance?   How about hopping up the small block 289, I bet changing the cam, intake, etc exceeds what the manufacturer recommended. 



The point is that part of the journey is to make the most of what you have.   If I had an SB200 and wanted an amp on 6, I would probably look into converting it rather than going out an getting a new one.   The key point being I would also be looking at what I want to accomplish or what my goals and expectations are when using such an amp.    Obviously trying to run 1.5Kw output in a full duty cycle mode is out of the question, but for casual contesting or sporadic E work (how often does that occur), I suspect it would be fine. 



Paul, kg7hf