[Amps] $120 tube running a 1500 watt amplifier

[MIKE DURKIN]

IMD I would start with.

> Date: Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:49:20 -0700
> From: vy1ei at arrl.net
> To: amps at contesting.com
> Subject: [Amps] $120 tube running a 1500 watt amplifier
> 
> 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
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