[Amps] PS

[John Lyles]

Amen...

> The name of the reflector is Amps.  It is about RF linear power
> amplifiers.  This is a suitable topic.  For those of you who find this
> tedious and boring I think the problem is not with Amps but rather
> with you all needing something else to do with your free time.  I
> apologize for not realizing it is All About You, and not really about
> amps.
> K5UJ

Years ago (20) I got into an argument with a respected experienced and seasoned RF oscillator designer (making dielectric heating machines) of equipment that was 10 kW and up, in the HF to VHF range. We both debated the arguments about parasitic oscillations, and it was his opinion that you cannot have one while the fundamental power was also being developed. It had to reduce the power there, to support some other mode. The DC power from the plate supply had to be the same, so where else could it come from? My opinion was that they can be simultaneous, but what did I know then, i was only about 10 years into the business and he had many more. Anyway, we never came to a mutually acceptable agreement that it was one way or the other, and I went off thinking I knew everything about it. Conservation of energy prevailed. 

Why am I bringing this up? Because here we have disagreements that seem to go for years, with strong minded senior (experience, not age) RF designers or users. We'll never hear any agreement on the fine details of these magic things called PS between such strong individuals. 
I cannot shout "LET IT REST" because it pops up intermittently every so many months and years, been happening since this forum started in the 1990s. I think we should call it a parasitic argument, as it draws fundamental power away from the fun and incredible knowledge that 
this and other on-line experience-sharing allows. 

OK, I'll go back under my rock now. Sorry for this digression.

 I have about a month left til first turn on of my biggest amplifier project. The plate blocker capacitor arrived yesterday, weighing in at 250 lbs of copper and Teflon film, thanks to some wonderful workmanship by Continental Electronics in Dallas. 
Finishing the RTV sealant on the edges of the control grid/screen grid blockers this morning. Its cathode-driven, grounded grid and screen, tetrode in class B, VHF. We start testing the plate supply again in a few weeks, 28 kV at 40 Amps DC, or 200 pulsed. 
I do hope that my PARASITIC SUPPRESSOR works,  as it costed over $4000 for 10 waveguides plus iron-filled epoxy RF absorber. 

73
John 
K5PRO