[Amps] HV Diode String Question

[Bill, W6WRT]

ORIGINAL MESSAGE:

On Mon, 7 Jun 2010 21:12:45 -0600, "Jim  Garland" <4cx250b at muohio.edu>
wrote:

>
>I've looked at some modern commercial amplifier schematics, and I find no
>consistent approach. Some use resistor shunts only, some use capacitor
>shunts only. Those that use molded diode blocks don't use any shunts. So I'm
>interested in knowing the latest thinking on this subject. Thanks!

REPLY:

The consensus seems to be you don't need either resistors or
capacitors PROVIDED you get matched diodes. In other words, diodes
from the same production run. Do not mix diodes bought from different
sources even if they are the same type and same manufacturer. Buy them
in one lot from one source. 

The worst thing you could do is to mix manufacturers.

The safest way to get matched diodes is to order them on
tape-and-reel. Then you can be sure they were all made together. 

73, Bill W6WRT