[Amps] triode or tetrode

[Dave White]

For me, building is half the fun ... Probably more than half.  If anything with building I tend to overengineer and leave more of a component safety margin than lashing things together as a filthy bodge and exceeding the ratings of components, so all I'd say is that if you do build, take your time, visit the right fleamarkets and accumulate the right components.  That overstretched componenet is just bound to go up in smoke when the P5 comes on the air or at the first utterance of the words 'CQ Contest'....

If you love spending workshop time then how about finding the best of both worlds? Buy a second hand amp to use when you need to and so you're in no rush, and build whatever takes your fancy and provides the intellectual stimulation that floats your boat in the workshop.

You can always sell the other amp once you're up and running.  You never know, it might turn out to be an appreciating asset...

Having said that, if you have a modern transceiver with 100-200w output then how about using a single big hi mu triode?  As many have said: one is easier to work with than two and tetrodes anre more complex than triodes because of the screen and grid supplies etc.  However if you fancy getting a ring of half a dozen 813s or GU81Ms going as grid driven pentodes just for the hell of it then why not?  I can think of worse ways of passing the time, like sitting in a long, boring meeting looking at a long, dreary powerpoint presentation....which is what I'm doing right now!

Dave G0OIL 


-----Original Message-----
From: "Jim Hoge" <knowkode at verizon.net>
To: "amp reflector" <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: 27/08/2010 04:45
Subject: Re: [Amps] triode or tetrode



I haven't made up my mind as to buy or build. If I build, I know it will take me 
too long to complete the project and I will have a tendency to upgrade 
components above and beyond what would be adequate. I love to spend time in the 
shop, perhaps as much as in front of the radio. I suspect that if I buy, I will 
again be settling for less than I'd like. The short answer is I dunno.

Jim W5QM 


________________________________

Are you looking to buy or build? Most of the replies so far assume you
are going to build, but I sense you are looking to buy. Correct?

73, Bill W6WRT
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