[Amps] Alpha 87a Low receive

[Vic Rosenthal 4X6GP]

Just one data point, but I had an 86 for at least a year, used it 
heavily and the PIN diodes were fine. I am sure I accidentally 
transmitted into the wrong antenna several times. I did have a pretty 
good lightning protection setup with multiple ground rods and ICE 
protectors that provided a DC ground path for static, so maybe that 
helped protect them.

73,
Vic, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

On 14 Jun 2016 08:03, Robert Arenella wrote:
> On 6/13/2016 6:03 PM, Jerry wrote:
>> The TX and RX pin diodes have been remarkably reliable with infrequent
>> failure.
>
>   I'll stick with my statement that pin diodes were / are the Achilles 
> Heel of all the Alpha Amps that used them, especially the 86. If they 
> were so reliable, why did Alpha design & build a replacement T/R board 
> for the 86 that used vacuum relay switching?  Why did 86 owners buy 
> EVERY ONE that Alpha made?  They were not cheap, about $450 each.
>
>   The pair of those Tx pins could handle about 20 watts of reflected 
> power.  My 86 trips at about 2:1 SWR.  Do the math.  At the legal 
> limit, that's WAY more than 20 watts of reflected power.  P-O-O-F!
>
>
> 73,
> Bob
> N2OAM
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