[Amps] $120 tube running a 1500 watt amplifier

[Eric Irvine]

OM power has come out with a new light weight amplifier, the OM1500, which
runs a GS23B tetrode.   This tube is apparently a militarized version of
the 4CX1600U Svetlana Tetrode. Now this tube sells on Ebay for $120, which
floors me as I'm running an Ameritron AL-1200 with the 3CX1200Z7 tube,
which costs $1300 new. Some rate the 3CX1200 tubes as the toughest tubes in
ham radio.  The older AL-1200 tube, the 3CX1200A7 is now selling for $1500,
no small sum either (maybe its not being manufactured anymore so what's why
the price got jacket up?).

Now here is an amp running a single GS23B tube which can be obtained on
ebay for $120, one tenth the replacement cost of a 3CX1200A7. I'm wondering
what gives here and what's the value in these high end tubes that some of
us are buying.

Eric
VY1EI

http://www.om-power.com/om1500