[Amps] What type of amplifier is best

[Charles Harpole]

Hey Shon,   As an owner or former owner of Heath SB-220 and SB-230, Henry floor model 2K, TL-922, National NC-2000, Alpha 76A, Alpha 76PAC, two Alpha 87a, Titan One, Dentron DTR-2000, three ICOM IC-2KL, and Collins 500 watt version, I can speak with some awareness of amps....hi....
 
Fact #1 is to get an amp that has either the 8877 tube or the 3-500Z because these tubes appear to have a long future availability due to continued production or so many held as spares.  Avoid the other tubes unless u can get spares yourself and hold them.
 
Fact #2 is selecting a key-down amp for which Alphas are known for.  I do not recommend the 87a as being too automatic and quirky but any any of the others is close to the best one can buy.   True as new or used.  All amps need watching keeping the grid current down and they may last forever.
 
Fact #3 is to decide on tube or solid state.  The Tokyo HiPower units, for example, are quite promising solid state which offers some advantages which u can see.  An amp which matches your exciter could be a plus like Yaesu or ICOM units.  ALL solid state amps must have a following antenna tuner, hopefully automatic.  And because u have already automated your antenna tuning, perhaps that will help u make a decision.
 
>From you, I would love to know if the MFJ-998 automatic antenna tuner sold as a 1.5 KW unit will actually handle that power and under less than ideal situations.  Please tell me.
 
Used amp notes.... Henry s are very well made but their p.s. tend not to support what you need.  Any Alpha as noted above are dependable year in and out.  
 
Good luck and as always, Life Is Too Short for QRP....  73,

Charles Harpole k4vud at hotmail.com 
 
 
 
 
 

> Date: Thu, 10 Nov 2011 20:54:10 -0700
> From: sre.1966 at gmail.com
> To: amps at contesting.com
> Subject: [Amps] What type of amplifier is best
> 
> Hello all.
> 
> I know I am revealing my ignorance, as most of what is on this list goes
> above my head. However, I am looking to buy an amplifier, full legal limit
> (1500 W -- US or more wattage -- I mean one which will yield an SSB
> continuous wave carrier at 1500 W for a reasonable amount of time to carry
> on QSOs), and wonder which might be best for me in my situation. I am just
> looking for something that will endure through years of use. I must admit
> I do not know anything beyond this. Perhaps you could ask me more
> questions about specific use to help you narrow down, if necessary.
> 
> A couple I have been looking at buying are the following: Ameritron
> AL-1500, AL-1200, and AL-82. I'm open to others, as well. I know many of
> you are experts at making your own. Perhaps I would even go this route, if
> it would save me enough money. I have done plenty of building of
> electronic equipment in the past -- just not amplifiers.
> 
> I am using an FT-857D, fed with about 100 ft. of LMR-400, attached to an
> external remote automatic antenna tuner, MFJ-998RT, and an MFJ-2990 43 ft.
> vertical antenna (all of which can handle the 1500 W or more).
> 
> Again, forgive me for my ignorance; I'm sure I will get a few comments
> like, "go to school for a few years" or some such. I'm sure this would
> help, but in lieu of this, perhaps you could help me with a few ideas :).
> 
> Thank you all,
> 
> 73 de K6QT, Shon
> 
> 
> -- 
> Shon R. Edwards,
> Amateur call: K6QT
> 1039 N 2575 W
> Layton, UT, 84041-7709
> USA
> e-mail: sre.1966 at gmail.com
> phone: (801) 444-3445
> cell: (801) 336-7635
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