[TenTec] seeking comments on Hercules II amplifier

[Chuck (Jack) Hawley]

JOE and TAM BV/N0IAT wrote:
> 
> 
> Hello Ten Tec Users.
> I am preparing to purchase an Omni VI plus and have been debating
> whether or not to also purchase a Hercules II amplifier with the
> Hercules 80 + 20 amp 13.8VDC poweer supply.
> 
> Considering the amount of money involved, I wanted to check with a
> few owners of the Herc amp and power supply combination.   I'm
> primarily a cw operator, occasional contester, and I dabble in pileups
> now and then.   I wonder if the 1/2KW amp and power supply is really a
> good radio investment.   Seeing as how the Centaur amp, which relies on
> inexpensive Svetlana 811A's, is about half the price for the same power
> out, I am now having some reservations.
> 
> I would like to hear from anyone who has an opinion on the Herc solid
> state amp.  Scott sold me on the Omni 6+ at Dayton -- now I'd like to get
> the rest of the story on the other options before placing my order.
> 
> Finally, what manual antenna tuner is suggested?  Should I be looking for
> a current production model, or, one of the older models (like the auto
> tuner that matched the Paragon)?

I use the Herc with a battery connected to a 35A Astron set to float the
battery at full charge. I have found the Herc to be quiet, and reliable.
The battery supply is not much good for AM, but CW and SSB work very
well. I have the Herc wired up to the Yaesu 990 and the bands
automatically change with the 990. I have also found that the QSK hookup
is best with this combo.
I have the TT auto tuner and use it every day. I would say that it has
some annoying flaws but if you understand them, they can be gotten
around with very little effort. I like the TT stuff in general.
-- 


Charles (Jack) Hawley Jr.
Amateur Radio: Chuck, KE9UW
BMW Motorcycles: Jack, BMWMOA #224
c-hawley@uiuc.edu
Sr. Research Engineer Emeritus
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign



--
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/tentecfaq.htm
Submissions:              tentec@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  tentec-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-tentec@contesting.com
Search:                   http://www.contesting.com/km9p/search.htm