[RTTY] new thread.. the RTTY Amplifier

[Bill Turner]

On Thu, 15 Nov 2001 12:38:01 -0600, Tom Moore wrote:

>Ok guys, I've got the hots for a new amp for rtty contesting..
>
>lets here the pro's and con's.. QRO, Commander, Ameritron 
>and ???  Cost is easy to determine but what about performance,
>reliability, efficiency, heat, noise, etc.. 
>
>Tom/WX4TM

_________________________________________________________

I'd go with either Commander (what I have) or Alpha (what I used to
have).  I wouldn't trust Ameritron at full output for RTTY contesting
over a prolonged period of time.  Their design is too marginal.  

I like the Commander partly because it has analog meters.  Never did
like the LED bargraph on my Alpha 91b, although it did the job ok.  I
also like the triodes in the '2500.  IMO, tetrodes just don't tune right
- peaks and dips don't necessarily coincide, due to interaction between
screen current and plate current.  That's not to say tetrodes are no
good; I just find the tuning odd.

The '2500's fan is noisy (aren't they all?) but tolerable, even over a
long contest weekend.  If fan noise bothers you, definitely listen to
one before you buy, regardless of make or model.  It's a very subjective
thing and not easily described.  You have to hear it.

If money is no object, I'd go for the Alpha 87A.  Has triodes and
autotune, a contester's dream.  But nearly $6000 new and hard to find
used.

Commander:  http://www.command1.com/

Alpha:  http://www.alpha-amps.com/

Have fun!

73, Bill W7TI