[TenTec] Centurion Amplifier history

[Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP]

Source for all of the below:  http://www.rfparts.com/tubetran.html 

The 3-500ZG that RF Parts sell under their own brand name are pretty decent.
They show "RFP" as the vendor.  Cost $190 or $380 for a matched pair.
I have used these for years and had good experience with them.

If you don't know what to do with your money, then you can buy the Amperex
NOS tubes from them for $330 each.

They also sell those tubes sourced from "Taylor" for $180, or $360 for a MP.

I don't have any experience with these, maybe someone else here does.

Finally, they sell a Chinese version for $160;  I wouldn't touch that one.

It is not impossible to kill these tubes, but I've never managed and I have
had some amps that have been used none-stop in about 25 or 30  48-hr.
contests.  

The nice thing about these tubes:
 - they are robust
 - the amplifiers they are used in don't need fault-protection circuitry
 - they are relatively cheap
 - long before they blow, the glow; even light up the room.

As long as you monitor grid current, and don't exceed their limit, they are
pretty indestructible.

73
Rick, DJ0IP


-----Original Message-----
From: tentec-bounces at contesting.com [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com]
On Behalf Of Carter
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 9:56 PM
To: tentec at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Centurion Amplifier history

On 3/14/2012 4:33 PM, kc9cdt at aol.com wrote:
> Are output transisters still available??
> 73,
> Lee
>
Well, a fair question...but the Centurion uses two 3-500 tubes.

MY question would be: Are any *decent* 3-500s still available -- other than
the Chinese imports (or getting lucky at the e-place)?
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