[Amps] Operating a tetrode amp at very low power.

[Steve Thompson]

At that voltage and current the amp will be running in class A at around
100W out which is the best linearity. It should give you the highest
quality signal.

Steve G8GSQ

On 25/01/2025 02:49, Lukasz wrote:
> Thank you for answering Val.
>
> I was more concerned about possible signal quality issues. Nonlinearity etc.
>
> Regarding the things you mentioned I think they are acceptable to me.
>
> The plate voltage is indeed 3000V and the idling current is about 350mA .
> There is also about 100W for the heater and 200W of losses in other parts
> of the amp so it continously uses about 300W when not transmitting and
> ~1400W when transmitting regardless the power.
>
> However , the electricity I use to power the amp is essentially free for
> me. In all other seasons of the year than winter my PV generates a surplus
> of energy. So I don't dare about extra 2kWh per day  every few days.
>
> During winter on the other hand I'd be running a 2kW electric heater in my
> shack(so I'd use it anyway). Instead I have a choice of running the amp.
>
> As for wasting the tube's lifetime. This may very well be a real concern
> for some of ubes, but my amplifier is a part of an old military radio. The
> tube (gu-43b and one I use Q1p/42 has lifetime long enough I'm very
> unlikely to ever use it up. (especially that I have a spare). This tube was
> often used running at full power for years either relaying a dozen
> telephone channels(FM modulated) in its military role or being a part of a
> TV transmitter.
>
> 73, Łukasz
>
>>
>>
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