[Amps] Alpha 8410 using 4CX1500B - why?

[Jim Thomson]

Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2014 10:51:07 +1030
From: "Leigh Turner" <invertech at frontierisp.net.au>
To: <amps at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Alpha 8410 using 4CX1500B - why?


Indeed Peter.

And high plate bias current and associated low efficiency is part and parcel
of achieving high linearity and low intermod from AB1 tetrodes.

Low plate idle current and low IMD are mutually exclusive objectives. There
are no free lunches here :-(

At least in an SSB linear amplifier one can significantly offset the impact
of high idle current with a competently implemented EBS system. When EBS is
done properly there are no audible or spectral artefacts stemming from the
tri-state transitional bias switching.
73

Leigh
VK5KLT

##  Unless your tri-state EBS is being used on PTT, it buys you nothing when using VOX.
Emtron EBS wont switch fast enough between syllables, much less words. 
No free lunch there..and ditto with ameritron, et all.  On a GG amp, you can run the idle current
a lot lower on ssb mode.  On CW mode, you can easily reduce the idle current to just above zero. 

##  2 x 4CX-1000s   vs a single 8877 ?   No brainer there folks.  The 8877  wins hands down.
2 expensive breech block  sockets, 2 tubes, 2 chimneys, 2 parasitic suppressors, regulated screen supply,
zero watts grid diss, no thanks. The list goes on and on.   Then to top is all off, the 4CX-1000 is no longer available. 
Its yet another of alphas silly tube lineups.  

Jim  VE7RF