[Amps] What type of amplifier is best

[Jeff Blaine]

Charles,

I have the 998 and used it for quite a long time in RTTY contesting when I was running non-resonant antennas.  In one case I had 
loaded 1KW on 160m to run the 160m ARRL CW contest - the antenna tied to it was a loaded 80m dipole.  I abused it quite heavily and 
only had one problem related to poor soldering of the toroids to the main PCB.

For the price, I think it's a very good value.  Albeit with the usual MFJ cautions to check the soldering work for the hand-assembly 
part - same as with all the other MFJ gear...

73, Jeff ACØC
www.ac0c.com

-----Original Message----- 
From: Charles Harpole
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 2:39 AM
To: sre.1966 at gmail.com ; amps at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] What type of amplifier is best


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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> Amps at contesting.com
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