[TenTec] Orion with - Centurion VS Alpha 91B?

[Robert & Linda McGraw K4TAX]

I use a 200 watt external tuner between the transceiver and the amp input.
Makes the transceiver very happy and with the Paragon II, it drives to 1500
watts out on all bands but 12M and 10M where it is only 1200 watts out.

73
Bob, K4TAX


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve N4LQ" <n4lq at iglou.com>
To: <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 7:46 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion with - Centurion VS Alpha 91B?


> My Centurion's input swr is 2:1 on the low end of 80m. Has anyone seen a
way
> to improve this? There is no adjustment.
>
> Steve N4LQ
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Duane A Calvin" <ac5aa at juno.com>
> To: <tentec at contesting.com>
> Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 12:42 AM
> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion with - Centurion VS Alpha 91B?
>
>
> > Lee,
> >         I have owned both.  I had a Centurion for several years, then
> > moved to an Alpha 99 (very similar to the 91b except it is built in the
> > US and has more US parts in it.)  I liked my Centurion a lot, and if
> > you're a DXer, expecially a lazy one like I am at times, depending on
the
> > cluster instead of searching your own DX out, then you will want the
> > Centurion with the instant-on 3-500ZG's.  I worked a number of DX
> > stations while Alpha owners were waiting for that danged "Wait" LED to
go
> > out!  So, why did I switch to the Alpha?  I think if one of the tubes
> > hadn't failed in my Centurion after 4 years of not-too-heavy use (I
> > rarely run over 800W, even with the Alpha), I wouldn't have gotten that
> > disappointed feeling.  Finding that a new matched pair of the same RF
> > Parts tubes cost $250, while a pair of GU-84B's from the guy who sells
> > 'em to Alpha was $200 did get me a little bit.  Most of them are new/old
> > stock Svetlana military tubes.  But my reason for moving was the
> > perceived higher reliability, long term, of the Alpha.  In reality, I'd
> > bet they're very similar.  Both of my amps failed in the first few weeks
> > of use (bias transistor on the Centurion, vacuum relay on the Alpha).
> > Both have great service departments.  But there's no filament glow on
the
> > Alpha that the Centurion had.  Both are easy to tune and drive.  Both
are
> > quiet, both will work with the Ten-Tec QSK loop in full QSK mode, and
> > both run cool (altho the Centurion exhausts heat mostly from the right
> > side while the Alpha exhausts it from the top).   It's a horse race.  If
> > the prices were realistic for each, then ask yourself how much you need
> > the instant on feature.
> >
> >         73,  Duane
> >
> >
> > On Sat, 12 Jun 2004 21:47:43 EDT Kc9cdt at aol.com writes:
> > > I am a happy Orion owner!
> > >
> > > I am looking to upgrade from a Centaur to either a Centurion or a
> > > Alpha 91B.
> > >
> > > I stopped at TT last week to see / hear / play the Centurion. Very
> > > nice,
> > > quiet fan, pretty quiet QSK relay noise.
> > >
> > > Also, I visited my friend that has the 91B for sale (excellant
> > > condition) I
> > > like the looks, it's pretty quie also, the WSK (Vacuum Relay) seems
> > > OK, but
> > > maybe a little noisier than the Centurion. AND NOT INSTANT ON ( 2-3
> > > minute warm
> > > up)
> > >
> > > Both have cheap tubes and are well made, and have high review
> > > marks.
> > >
> > > They are both nice, but different for sure.
> > >
> > > I would appreciate any feedback as to what you all think about the
> > > two units.
> > > I need to decide soon, or the Alpha will be gone. Have been trying
> > > to decide
> > > for 2 weeks now!!
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance,
> > > 73,
> > > Lee, KC9CDT
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > TenTec mailing list
> > > TenTec at contesting.com
> > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --------------------------------------
> > Duane Calvin, AC5AA
> > Austin, Texas
> >
> > http://home.austin.rr.com/ac5aa
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec at contesting.com
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> >
>
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