[TenTec] Centurion Amplifier history

[k0bx at arrl.net]

I got my Centurion about 4 years ago used off of QTH.COM.  I paid $1300 for it.  
The build date was 1996.  I have not  had a lick of problems with it.  It still 
has the Emiac tubes in it.  I still get 1300 watts output with 100 watts input.

To get this amp, I sold my Drake L7 amp.  The Drake was more heavy duty, but the 
TR switch was too slow for my IC-756PROIII.  The Drake L7 served me for a lot of 
years.  


The Centurion has great break-in CW.  I key the Amp and the Amp keys the rig.  
No more hot-switching.

Ten-Tec still has the old manual on their website.  I guess there has not been 
any changes for year except for the paint.
It is no Alpha, but it pretty close.

Joe K0BX
 Stop the insanity!
Please do not add me to any distribution lists (Joke, Stories or Junk) without 
my permission. 





________________________________
From: "jholich at comcast.net" <jholich at comcast.net>
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Wed, March 14, 2012 9:50:38 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Centurion Amplifier history



The tubes at RF P arts ( thus RFP) are Chinese. They just have a two year 
guarantee. The Chinese (not RF Parts)  tubes are a "crap shoot". You get a goood 
one, it's OK. You get a bad one, you might lose your amp. 




I use their 3-500ZG and 572 B's No problems. 



73 



Jim Holich 

AB9SX 



----- Original Message -----


From: "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick at DJ0IP.de> 
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 4:11:19 PM 
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Centurion Amplifier history 

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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