[Amps] Amps Digest, Vol 111, Issue 26

Carl km1h at jeremy.mv.com
Sat Mar 17 09:44:21 PDT 2012


According to the sales literature the RJ-1A was optional in the basic ZC and 
standard in the one using the PAC-5. Mine is the HD model and most of the 
ZC's in for service do not have the RJ-1A. But maybe Denny made it standard 
towards the end.

Carl
KM1H


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <K3vw at aol.com>
To: <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, March 16, 2012 5:56 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Amps Digest, Vol 111, Issue 26


>I was the Service Manager at Amp Supply in the 80's. The ZC came out with a
> RJ1A, vacuum relay which set it apart from the previous models. Willy K3VW
>
>
> In a message dated 3/16/2012 12:23:58 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> amps-request at contesting.com writes:
>
> Send  Amps mailing list submissions to
> amps at contesting.com
>
> To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web,  visit
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
> or, via email, send a  message with subject or body 'help' to
> amps-request at contesting.com
>
> You can reach the person managing the list  at
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>
> When replying, please  edit your Subject line so it is more specific
> than "Re: Contents of Amps  digest..."
>
>
> Today's Topics:
>
> 1. Re: AL-80b  Problems - Help Needed (Carl)
> 2. Re: LK 550-ZC  (Carl)
> 3. Re: LK 550-ZC (Dick Green WC1M)
> 4.  Re: LK 550-ZC (Carl)
> 5. lk-450NTC (ko1h)
> 6.  Looking for top cover from Alpha 374/76/78 era amp (David  Feldman)
> 7. Re: lk-450NTC (Carl)
> 8. FT-1000MP  Issues? (Tom  Horton)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message:  1
> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2012 15:05:22 -0400
> From: "Carl"  <km1h at jeremy.mv.com>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] AL-80b Problems - Help  Needed
> To: <ki6iv at sbcglobal.net>,     <amps at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:  <3E4517445701413283FE27CAD3C1B2E5 at computer1>
> Content-Type:  text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Check all bandswitch  contacts
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From:  "Bob Moore" <ki6iv at sbcglobal.net>
> To:  <amps at contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:41  PM
> Subject: [Amps] AL-80b Problems - Help Needed
>
>
>>I need some  help in figuring out what the problem is here.  Below is a
>>  summary of what I am experiencing.
>>
>>
>> AL-80b  Problems
>>
>> Normally operate in the 5-700w range, I am very  conservative in the amp
>> operation.  New tube in Dec  '05.
>>
>> Will be operating or lately tuning up and will hear an  arch, loses power
>> out, but all voltages and ma stay  normal.
>>
>> Started while I was contesting running RTTY at  500w.  Started on 15m, I
>> could let cool and then be able to go  again for a while.  Now the 
>> problem
>> has migrated to 20 and  40.  Still works fine on 80 and 160.
>>
>> All operating  voltages and currents are within the perimeters in the
>>  manual.
>>
>> When it stops putting power out, I hear the arching  which appears to be
>> coming from the right hand side of the unit.   I have noticed some 
>> arching
>> "spots" on the plate tuning  cap.
>>
>> I opened the cabinet and did a visual inspection and can  see nothing out
>> of
>> the ordinary other than RFC-2 (Plate  Chock) appears to be discolored and
>> an
>> earlier vintage than  what I see in pictures others have posted. (I can
>> send
>> my  pictures if requested).
>>
>> Any hints how I should proceed for  trouble shooting.
>>
>> I am going to open it up again today and  clean the relay.
>>
>> Bob, K6NV
>>
>>
>> Bob  Moore
>> Truckee, CA  96161
>> (530)575-5766
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
>> Amps mailing  list
>> Amps at contesting.com
>>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>>
>>
>>  -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
>> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4872 - Release  Date: 03/15/12
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Thu,  15 Mar 2012 15:07:52 -0400
> From: "Carl"  <km1h at jeremy.mv.com>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] LK 550-ZC
> To: "Paul  Kraemer" <elespe at lisco.com>,    "AMPS"  <amps at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:  <C54D3E472D324484930220B9263E159B at computer1>
> Content-Type:  text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> There was one late edition combined manual that  covered the 450 to 550
> Tune
> and  NT.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From:  "Paul Kraemer" <elespe at lisco.com>
> To: "AMPS"  <amps at contesting.com>
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:28  PM
> Subject: [Amps] LK 550-ZC
>
>
>> Can someone help me find a  copy of manual for Amp Supply LK-550 ZC.
>>
>> I have the download  from BAMA which covers the 550 but not the ZC
>>
>>  Thanks
>>
>> Paul K0UYA
>>  _______________________________________________
>> Amps mailing  list
>> Amps at contesting.com
>>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>>
>>
>>  -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
>> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4872 - Release  Date: 03/15/12
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Thu,  15 Mar 2012 17:12:55 -0400
> From: "Dick Green WC1M"  <wc1m73 at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] LK 550-ZC
> To: "'Paul  Kraemer'" <elespe at lisco.com>,    "AMPS"  <amps at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:  <002101cd02f0$64f5f660$2ee1e320$@gmail.com>
> Content-Type:  text/plain;    charset="us-ascii"
>
> As far as I know, there was  no individual manual for the ZC. I think the
> "400/500 Series" manual was  intended to cover all the variations in both
> series. I don't recall exactly  what set the ZC apart from other models in
> the 550 series, but I think it  was QSK. The BAMA manual has the schematic
> and some instructions for the  QSK Board. Is there some part of the manual
> you specifically need?
>
> I  happen to have a working LK-500ZC sitting unused in the basement. It 
> has
> QSK, but I'm pretty sure it lacks the No-Tune option (it's been a long 
> time
> since I used that amp.) I don't recall if it has the "new"  step-start
> circuit discussed in the BAMA manual, but I think so. It carries  the Amp
> International label, which I believe indicates that it was one of  the 
> last
> amps made by Denny before the enterprise went under. The manual  that I 
> got
> from the previous owner is almost identical to the BAMA version,  but
> appears
> to be an earlier edition. Perhaps that means I have it  backwards, and 
> that
> the original company was Amp International and the  last-gasp company was
> Amp
> Supply, and that my amp is an earlier model  instead of late one. My 
> manual
> does have the pages missing from the BAMA  manual (3, 15, 21-24), but 
> those
> pages don't contain any critical  information. The BAMA manual has more
> complete schematics and bills of  material.
>
> I did a lot of repair work on the amp when I got it. The  previous owner's
> wife had thrown something at him during a fight (a chair,  I think), and 
> the
> amp got knocked off the desk. All three tube seals were  compromised, and
> when the previous owner turned it on, the resulting arc  fried the plate
> choke and a number of other components. I also replaced a  40m output cap
> that was actually broken by the blow to the amp. The meter  bezels were
> damaged, too. I fixed all that stuff, added a glitch resistor  to protect
> the
> plate choke from future mishaps, replaced all of the meter  calibration
> resistors (which had either deteriorated or were replaced by a  previous
> owner with the wrong values in order to fool the ALO circuit,  throwing 
> off
> the meter readings), slightly increased the fan speed at the  low setting 
> to
> prevent it cycling into high speed mode so often, and  lowered the fan 
> speed
> in high speed mode so it wouldn't sound like a  freight train.
>
> 73, Dick WC1M
>
>
>
>> -----Original  Message-----
>> From: Paul Kraemer [mailto:elespe at lisco.com]
>>  Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:29 PM
>> To: AMPS
>> Subject:  [Amps] LK 550-ZC
>>
>> Can someone help me find a copy of manual  for Amp Supply LK-550 ZC.
>>
>> I have the download from BAMA which  covers the 550 but not the ZC
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Paul  K0UYA
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message:  4
> Date: Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:36:05 -0400
> From: "Carl"  <km1h at jeremy.mv.com>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] LK 550-ZC
> To: "Dick Green  WC1M" <wc1m73 at gmail.com>, "'Paul Kraemer'"
> <elespe at lisco.com>,    "AMPS"  <amps at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:  <C4BA40A52E5340598C988F98C490CE75 at computer1>
> Content-Type:  text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Amp International was the last name, Denny was  selling into the 
> commercial
> market.
>
> The ZC included the day to day  updates to the ZB, and finalized the ALO
> circuit, QSK, and the step-start  and fan speed. Real late ones had a fan
> speed temperature  sensor.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From:  "Dick Green WC1M" <wc1m73 at gmail.com>
> To: "'Paul Kraemer'"  <elespe at lisco.com>; "AMPS" <amps at contesting.com>
> Sent:  Thursday, March 15, 2012 5:12 PM
> Subject: Re: [Amps] LK  550-ZC
>
>
>> As far as I know, there was no individual manual for  the ZC. I think the
>> "400/500 Series" manual was intended to cover all  the variations in both
>> series. I don't recall exactly what set the ZC  apart from other models 
>> in
>> the 550 series, but I think it was QSK. The  BAMA manual has the 
>> schematic
>> and some instructions for the QSK Board.  Is there some part of the 
>> manual
>> you specifically  need?
>>
>> I happen to have a working LK-500ZC sitting unused in  the basement. It
> has
>> QSK, but I'm pretty sure it lacks the No-Tune  option (it's been a long
>> time
>> since I used that amp.) I don't  recall if it has the "new" step-start
>> circuit discussed in the BAMA  manual, but I think so. It carries the Amp
>> International label, which  I believe indicates that it was one of the
> last
>> amps made by Denny  before the enterprise went under. The manual that I
> got
>> from the  previous owner is almost identical to the BAMA version, but
>>  appears
>> to be an earlier edition. Perhaps that means I have it  backwards, and
> that
>> the original company was Amp International and the  last-gasp company was
>> Amp
>> Supply, and that my amp is an  earlier model instead of late one. My
> manual
>> does have the pages  missing from the BAMA manual (3, 15, 21-24), but
> those
>> pages don't  contain any critical information. The BAMA manual has more
>> complete  schematics and bills of material.
>>
>> I did a lot of repair work  on the amp when I got it. The previous 
>> owner's
>> wife had thrown  something at him during a fight (a chair, I think), and
>> the
>>  amp got knocked off the desk. All three tube seals were compromised, 
>> and
>> when the previous owner turned it on, the resulting arc fried the  plate
>> choke and a number of other components. I also replaced a 40m  output cap
>> that was actually broken by the blow to the amp. The meter  bezels were
>> damaged, too. I fixed all that stuff, added a glitch  resistor to protect
>> the
>> plate choke from future mishaps,  replaced all of the meter calibration
>> resistors (which had either  deteriorated or were replaced by a previous
>> owner with the wrong  values in order to fool the ALO circuit, throwing
> off
>> the meter  readings), slightly increased the fan speed at the low setting
>>  to
>> prevent it cycling into high speed mode so often, and lowered the  fan
>> speed
>> in high speed mode so it wouldn't sound like a  freight train.
>>
>> 73, Dick  WC1M
>>
>>
>>
>>> -----Original  Message-----
>>> From: Paul Kraemer  [mailto:elespe at lisco.com]
>>> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 2:29  PM
>>> To: AMPS
>>> Subject: [Amps] LK  550-ZC
>>>
>>> Can someone help me find a copy of manual for  Amp Supply LK-550 ZC.
>>>
>>> I have the download from BAMA  which covers the 550 but not the ZC
>>>
>>>  Thanks
>>>
>>> Paul K0UYA
>>
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
>> Amps mailing  list
>> Amps at contesting.com
>>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>>
>>
>>  -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
>> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4872 - Release  Date: 03/15/12
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Fri,  16 Mar 2012 03:28:20 -0000
> From: "ko1h" <ko1h at cox.net>
> Subject:  [Amps] lk-450NTC
> To: <amps at contesting.com>
> Cc:  ham_amplifiers at yahoogroups.com
> Message-ID:  <013801cd0324$d5e84f10$0608a8c0 at johna32bbea6d0>
> Content-Type:  text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hi all,  Just  acquired a lk-450ntc.  Had some trouble getting the tube to
> light but  then all was well for a few days.  ( I did a stupid when trying
> to get  the tube to light and will have a nice scare on my left pinky to 
> tell
> tales  about)  But be that as it may.  After getting the tube to light
> (Friday last)  I hooked it up and was getting power out on 75 into a 
> dummy
> load and antenna.  Didn't mess with it for a few days turned it on 
> tonight and
> a few seconds after hitting the power switch I got a pop in and I  think I
> saw an arc in the rf compartment.
>
> Figuring heck this  happens ( I used to own a few sb220/1's that loved to
> bang everyonce in a  while) I kept the amp in standby verified that the
> exciter was turned down  enough and the swr to the antenna was good and 
> fired it
> up.  Well SWR  back to the radio when the amp is keyed to goes through the
> roof and the  idle plate current in the amp drops to zero.  Placing the 
> amp
> in standby  and through to the antenna a just fine.  Tube is lit.  2900v 
> on
> the  meter for idle dc voltage.  Relay can be heard engaging.
>
> Due to this thing biting me last week ( my own stupid) had it turned  on
> and touched it with the covers off I know luck I'm here)  I've got it
> unplugged and sitting for the night before I take the covers off.
>
> Any place I should start to look?
>
> Perhaps reseating the  tube.  The socket on this thing does not please me
> and will likely get  replaced eventually.
> Relay?
> Glitch resistor on the  tub?
>
> Anything else?  (aka the reason I'm posting this most people  know
> more/better than I do. )
>
>
> Thanks de John ko1h
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Fri, 16 Mar  2012 06:05:48 -0700 (PDT)
> From: David Feldman  <wb0gaz at yahoo.com>
> Subject: [Amps] Looking for top cover from Alpha  374/76/78 era amp
> To: amps at contesting.com
> Message-ID:
> <1331903148.33074.yint-ygo-j2me at web162106.mail.bf1.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type:  text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>
> Looking for a top cover for same - can  be ugly but should be basically
> straight. If you have one left over from  replacement and wish to sell 
> (ship to
> Colorado) pls e-mail  wb0gaz at yahoo.com
>
> TKs  73
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Fri,  16 Mar 2012 11:12:58 -0400
> From: "Carl"  <km1h at jeremy.mv.com>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] lk-450NTC
> To: "ko1h"  <ko1h at cox.net>,    <amps at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:  <39D963E610C94798999FFB88A443E030 at computer1>
> Content-Type:  text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
> reply-type=original
>
> Those NTC amps have a bad habit of arcing the  undersized fixed tuned
> variables. Most I get in here for service are  changed to regular Tune 
> amps
> or converted to 6M where either way they work  just fine.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
>
>
> ---- Original Message -----
> From: "ko1h" <ko1h at cox.net>
> To:  <amps at contesting.com>
> Cc:  <ham_amplifiers at yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2012 11:28  PM
> Subject: [Amps] lk-450NTC
>
>
>> Hi all,  Just acquired a  lk-450ntc.  Had some trouble getting the tube
> to
>> light but then  all was well for a few days.  ( I did a stupid when
> trying
>> to  get the tube to light and will have a nice scare on my left pinky to
>>  tell tales about)  But be that as it may.  After getting the tube to
> light
>> (Friday last)  I hooked it up and was getting power out on  75 into a
> dummy
>> load and antenna.  Didn't mess with it for a few  days turned it on
> tonight
>> and a few seconds after hitting the power  switch I got a pop in and I
>> think I saw an arc in the rf  compartment.
>>
>> Figuring heck this happens ( I used to own a few  sb220/1's that loved to
>> bang everyonce in a while) I kept the amp in  standby verified that the
>> exciter was turned down enough and the swr  to the antenna was good and
>> fired it up.  Well SWR back to the  radio when the amp is keyed to goes
>> through the  roof and the  idle plate current in the amp drops to zero.
>> Placing the amp in  standby and through to the antenna a just fine.  Tube
>> is  lit.  2900v on the meter for idle dc voltage.  Relay can be heard
>> engaging.
>>
>> Due to this thing biting me last week ( my  own stupid) had it turned on
>> and touched it with the covers off I  know luck I'm here)  I've got it
>> unplugged and sitting for the  night before I take the covers off.
>>
>> Any place I should start  to look?
>>
>> Perhaps reseating the tube.  The socket on this  thing does not please me
>> and will likely get replaced  eventually.
>> Relay?
>> Glitch resistor on the tub?
>>
>>  Anything else?  (aka the reason I'm posting this most people know
>> more/better than I do. )
>>
>>
>> Thanks de John  ko1h
>> _______________________________________________
>> Amps  mailing list
>> Amps at contesting.com
>>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>>
>>
>>  -----
>> No virus found in this message.
>> Checked by AVG -  www.avg.com
>> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4874 - Release  Date: 03/16/12
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Fri,  16 Mar 2012 09:23:37 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Tom Horton  <k5iid at sbcglobal.net>
> Subject: [Amps] FT-1000MP Issues?
> To:  amps at contesting.com
> Message-ID:
> <1331915017.9045.YahooMailClassic at web83102.mail.mud.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type:  text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Does anyone know of any concerns with  driving an amp with an older amp?
> Gettin ready to jump into  QRO.
> Thanks,
> ?Tom K5IID
>
> "Socialism is a philosophy of  failure,
> the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy,
> its inherent  virtue is the equal sharing of misery.."
> -- Winston  Churchill
>
> "Democracy depends on well-informed voters; absent that, it  is all mud
> flowing down hill."
> --Charles Harpole
>
> "Luck is a dividend  of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get."
>
> If you don't like  my signature, well, I am sorry. But I will use it
> because it is what I  believe.
>
> K5IID Tom Horton Hillsboro, TX
> E sorter for ARRL W5  bureau
> Same call for 55  years!
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Amps  mailing  list
> Amps at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
>
> End  of Amps Digest, Vol 111, Issue  26
> *************************************
>
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 10.0.1424 / Virus Database: 2113/4876 - Release Date: 03/17/12
> 



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