[Amps] Centurion

[GARY SWARTOUT]

Rob and Jim: Thanks for all the research and help you have given us.
73
Gary K7GS

> Date: Thu, 29 Dec 2011 17:52:35 -0600
> From: ranchorobbo at gmail.com
> To: jimw7ry at gmail.com
> CC: amps at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Centurion
> 
> I expect TT used different switches through the production run.  I
> searched the CRL on-line "switch-finder" web interface and was unable
> to locate anything close to what's in my Centurion which was
> manufactured in 2001.  However, the Multi-Tech model 78 is identical,
> assuming you select the 20 degree detent, put the stop screws in the
> right places, get a single 18 contact pole, and have them assemble the
> correct shorting spoke arrangement.   No matter where you get it, it
> is not an off the shelf item.  The dimensions are also identical to
> the one in mine.  I would not be surprised if TT switched sources
> depending on where they could get the best deal.  The 78 looks like a
> good switch:  2 KV @ 60 cps, 20 A.  Anyway, good luck--I hope CRL
> Electro has what you need.
> 
> 73
> 
> Rob
> K5UJ
> 
> On Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 4:43 PM, Jim W7RY <jimw7ry at gmail.com> wrote:
> > It's a Centralab switch. All he needs is the ceramic parts. The front part
> > of the switch is fine. The 10 meter contacts burned up. Not sure what the
> > circumstances were.
> >
> > Gary, you may be able to remove the ceramic parts and send it to
> > Electro/Centralab and see if they will sell you the replacement parts. I
> > think all you need is the wafer itself. The rotor is
> > probably ok?
> >
> > 73
> > Jim W7RY
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------------------
> > From: "Rob Atkinson" <ranchorobbo at gmail.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 7:53 PM
> > To: <amps at contesting.com>
> > Subject: Re: [Amps] Centurion
> >
> >> I have a Centurion and mine is open now as I am working on it.   I
> >> have not focused on the band switch because I have not had to yet
> >> (fortunately).  It looks like a PITA to replace.
> >>
> >> That switch is a custom job consisting of two wafers, one a standard
> >> ceramic RF band switch type and the other a PC card material wafer
> >> that is attached to a printed circuit board that is mounted on the
> >> switch and is used to select the necessary tuned input circuit for a
> >> given band.  That's the part that you will probably have to get from
> >> Ten Tec, unless you want to disassemble the amp and build it back up
> >> so it is functioning, but in a different way (YOUR way).
> >>
> >> The RF pi output network band switch part, i.e. the ceramic wafer at
> >> the rear of the switch is probably a Centralab or Multi-Tech.   It
> >> looks like it is 2 inches or a little over 2 inches diameter.
> >>
> >> It has 18 terminals, so it is 20 degrees, but 6 band positions.  There
> >> are two bundles of shorting spokes, and they are separated by 100
> >> degrees in both directions.  One bundle consists of 6 shorting spokes
> >> 20 degrees apart; the other bundle consists of 2 that are shorted (all
> >> 8 bonded to each other) and also 20 degrees apart.
> >>
> >> You can search for switches here:
> >>
> >> http://multi-tech-industries.com/rswitches.html
> >>
> >> http://www.electro-nc.com/rotarysearch.php
> >>
> >> (Centralab is now Electro.)
> >>
> >> It's not clear to me what you need--if all you need is the ceramic
> >> wafer with the 18 contacts then you may be able to find that on-line
> >> somewhere--that's probably the easiest thing to find.   You have to
> >> get the switch out and measure it.   The rest of it is odd enough to
> >> probably be a custom job.  If you need the Ten Tec built pc card part
> >> of the switch, you will probably have to bite the bullet and pay them
> >> for it.
> >>
> >> Or you can study the schematics and manual and figure out what the Ten
> >> Tec part switches, and work out a scheme to do that some other way,
> >> and use the rotary switch only for the output pi network.
> >>
> >> 73
> >>
> >> Rob
> >> K5UJ
> >> _______________________________________________
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> >
> >
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