[Amps] New Amplifier

[Jim Thomson]

Date: Sun, 9 Apr 2017 22:59:53 +0000
From: Bill Turner <dezrat at outlook.com>
To: Amps group <amps at contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] New Amplifier

On Sun, 9 Apr 2017 20:20:54 +0000 (UTC), Catherine wrote:

> Heck, in what way is it superior to an AL-82 or AL-1500 at half the price

REPLY:

I can think of several ways where transistors are superior to tubes:

1. When not abused, transistors are far more reliable than tubes.

2. Safer. A 50 VDC supply is essentially harmless. 3 kV will kill you
instantly.

3. No expensive filament transformer needed. 

4. A 1500 watt transistor is cheaper than a 1500 watt tube. 

5. No warm up time.

6. The amps you mentioned are not rated at 100% duty cycle at 1500
watts of carrier (RTTY, FM, etc.) The PowerGenius XL is (ICAS).

And no doubt there are others.

73, Bill W6WRT

##  The manual for the AL-1500  clearly states it is  fully capable of  1500 watts
dead cxr output..... for a full HALF HOUR.    That should meet  your  5 mins on, 5 mins
off....  icas  definition. 

##  fil xfmr cost is a moot point.  They dont even  mention TX IMD....and esp into high swr.

##  The tube amp does not require  6 x diplexers, as used in the power genius.  EACH diplexer
consist of a  2 kw rated LP filter  plus its  mating low power rated  HP filter,  + the mating 50 ohm 
dummy load for the output of the HP filters.   Plus a mess of high powered relays to switch the 6 x
diplexers. 

##  warm up time  may or may not be a moot point.  

##  Take the lid off a tube amp, and the safety interlock will short out the B+.   Still, point
taken, as at times the interlock has to be defeated, to work on the amp. 

#  What the power genius  will do is  swap between any 2 bands real fast, as shown in their video. 
Where they jump back and forth  between 40 + 20m, using just  one xcvr and one amp.   You cant
jump back and forth that fast on say a Alpha 9500.  

## If it does run 1500 w into say a 2:1   swr... without the use of any type of tuner, its a winner. 
If it doesnt, and you only have one feedline to your tribander, that has a high swr on one or more bands,
then the instant band switching feature has just been negated.  That plus the additional cost of the 
manual or auto  2 kw rated tuner. 

##  The power genius can be run via remote control.   So its fully protected for remote operation, so 
you dont burn the remote station to the ground. 

##  Power genius could well be an expensive amp to repair..esp if out of warranty, and outside the usa.  

Jim  VE7RF