[Amps] Alpha 76a

[Patrick Barthelow]

I received a  76A about 6 months ago, as a gift from a OOM who I helped a lot when he was active.  A 3 holer, that had been stored for some time, I "gettered" it, slowly, bringing it back to life, without incident.  On ALL amps I have run, I am hyper aware and observant of grid current, in the interest of long life, and note that Bob Wolbert has published a grid overcurrent trip circuit for the Alpha, that might be wise to install.   While getting used to normal tuning dynamics of my New/old stock Alpha, I was startled somewhat at the grid current dynamics.  At how quickly  the Ig goes from very low values to very high values with small adjustments of input power, and tune and load controls, even with a good amount of loading.  Perhaps this is "normal" for a 3 holer '76A but maybe it is saying something about one or more tubes.   Other than that Ig sensitivity, the Alpha  is  the "AC Cobra  427 " of amps, IMHO.  and with winter coming up, if I operate QRO with it, I will not heed a shack heater, or a fire to cook marshmallows.

Best Regards,   
Pat Barthelow  AA6EG



> Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:31:22 -0500
> From: mikea at mikea.ath.cx
> To: amps at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Alpha 76a
> 
> On Mon, Sep 12, 2011 at 11:20:33AM -0700, ROBERT HARMON wrote:
> > Charles,
> > 
> > 
> > I agree 100%. The Alpha 76PAC is one of the best amps ever made, a real
> > workhorse. Like a Timex watch, "takes a licking and keeps on ticking" ,
> > with one caveat, as you indicated, watch the grid current.
> > I run mine hard all the time (and keep a watchful eye on the grid
> > current)
> > Remember the "brick on the key" advertisements for these amps ? My
> > favorite is the ad used in 1981 which shows the usual heading of " Key
> > Down, How Long ?" and instead of the normally used brick on the key there
> > is a skeleton sitting there with his hand on the key. Now thats a good
> > amp ! hihihi
> 
>  Erm ... As long as he's not wearing a nametag that reads "Ross Hull". 
> 
> -- 
> Mike Andrews, W5EGO
> mikea at mikea.ath.cx
> Tired old sysadmin 
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps