[CQ-Contest] Contest/DX Pedition Amplifiers - Survey Results

[Rob Shapiro - ND3A]

A week and a half ago, I sent out a query as to what amplifiers people
prefer to travel with.  I received many responses, which I will
paraphrase below:

KA9FOX:  Dentron Clipperton L seems to fit under most airplane seats.
Used a fold-away luggage carrier to haul the amp, rig and laptop around
the airports.  See http://www.qth.com/ka9fox/mail_summaries.shtml and
click on "amplifiers" to see survey results.

N3ED:  MLA-2500 carried to the Carribean for years.  Best combination of
output and weight.

N6TJ:  3 tube Alpha 76 PA or CA.  Transformer in carry-on bag and three
8874 tubes in briefcase.  Rugged amp with easy 1500 watts output.

N0FW:  MLA-2500 is awesome for an expedition - 1500W out and
lightweight.  Also took 30L1 to Clipperton - worked great.

W4PA (Ten-Tec Amateur Radio Product Manager):  Ten-Tec Centaur.  Three
used on recent KH9 expedition.  100W in, 600W out for $749.  See
http://www.tentec.com , QST June 1997 and CQ December 1996.

AA8U:  AL-811 performed adequately.  AL-811H also used where there were
power limitations.  Upon arrival at home saw that plate choke was nearly
fried - too many 10m QSOs during WRTC-96!  Ten-Tec Titan used at WP3X on
160m.  Extra baggage but worth the effort.  Used to own a MLA-2500B -
though a bit heavy, a great amp for dxpeditioning.  Given the finances
and willingness to haul the hardware, would use Alpha 91B like K8CC at
WP3X.

K7BV:  MLA2500 for power/size ratio, 160-10m, 110/220V.

N9AG:  J6DX crew carries Clippertons, MLA2500s and SB220s - easy to fix
and under 70 pound limit for checked bags.  Carribean bugs love the
MLAs' ceramic tubes - don't turn off the amps.  SB200 and 30L1 are also
great travelling amps and fit in a large hardside bag.

YB1AQS:  Best bang for the buck Drake L75 - 40W/kg has not been beaten
and very rugged.  HL1K also recommended for it's 20kg and compact size.
L7 and TL-922 and Alphas too big for an airplane traveller.

W0YG:  Single tube 3-500Z amps like the Heathkit SB-1000 or Ameritron
AL-80B.  When overseas, parts available (with luck) and easy to repair.

N4GN:  New FinnFet amplifiers  - see http://www.iglou.com/n4gn/h40aa/
Very small but expensive - 1000W out for $3950, 600W out for $3347.  (kg
for each model - uses switchmode power supplies.  Only available
directly from Finland factory direct.

K7WP:  Can't beat the old Alpha 76 series amps - travels well in a
Pelican case with tubes in the sockets and transformer in a makeup case.

W8KKF:  Watch the weight limit and packing size - excess baggage charge
expensive.  Give consideration to removing transformers and tubes.  Be
aware of moisture buildup in hihg humidity areas.

NA7DB:  Preferred amp is Alpha 76A, 3 tube CA model - very rugged.
Alpha 374 also excellent.  All 76s modified by Dick Byrd for QSK and
WARC bands - used by Voodoo Contest Group.  Peter Dahl Hypersil
transformer for weight and performance.  Pelican hardside carrying case
for amp and transformer carried seperately.  89A pain to tune and keep
going.  76s easy to tune by all.  FinnFet prototype failed.



I appreciate everyone's recommendations.  There did not seem to be a
clear cut favorite but the Dentron MLA2500 was mentioned by several.
The Alpha 76 was also mentioned multiple times.

73, Rob

--
Rob Shapiro - ND3A
Email: nd3a at worldnet.att.net
See my home page at: http://home.att.net/~nd3a
See the PVRC Home Page at: http://www.pvrc.org




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