[TenTec] Hercules 444 amp

Brian Carling bcarling at cfl.rr.com
Sun Aug 10 17:47:53 EDT 2014


Yes Eric. They are a bargain. I see lots of used AL80 amplifiers at hamfests for around $700 - 850 depending on condition and the mood of the seller. They look good.

Of course two 3-500z tubes will beat one 3-500z by at least half an s-unit GRIN!

Best regards - Bry Carling, AF4K



> On Aug 10, 2014, at 4:19 PM, "R. Eric Sluder via TenTec" <tentec at contesting.com> wrote:
> 
> I thought hard about buying a transistor amp, but went with a used al-80a serial #60 and it's been rode hard and is only on its second tube in its lifespan.  I believe I saw where it was built in 1986.  It got it's second tube when I bought it in 2013.  
> 
> I can have it tuned up pretty quick and it seems to run like a Timex.  
> 
> -Eric
> W9WLW
> 
>> On Aug 10, 2014, at 4:11 PM, "Rick - DJ0IP / NJ0IP" <Rick at DJ0IP.de> wrote:
>> 
>> I support your opinion, Wade.
>> 
>> My old AL-80A is only 28 years old, but has been used HARD in at least 20 or
>> 30 big 48 hour contests.  When I wasn't using it, it was loaned out to
>> others who were.  It is on its original 3-500zg tube and its output power
>> has only dropped about 100w per band.
>> 
>> 73 - Rick, DJ0IP
>> (Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
>> 
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Wade Staggs
>> Sent: Sunday, August 10, 2014 7:54 PM
>> To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
>> Subject: Re: [TenTec] Hercules 444 amp
>> 
>> *At least for now, even if we could afford one of the Big Gun Solid State
>> Amps. I would hope that we would have the good sense to stick with an Amp
>> which runs 1 or 2 of the 3-500ZG Triodes. They are as tough as Nails. How
>> can you argue with a system that with proper care, will run a lifetime. The
>> tubes in our SB-220 are Original. This means that they are approaching their
>> Fortieth Birthday. We recently replaced the Capacitors and Relay. The Amp
>> was still working Great when we did this Preventative Maintenance.  And Even
>> a Cave Man with Knives and Bear Skins can repair the Amp if needed. *
>> *                                                                     73
>> from Wade/KJ4WS*
>> 
>> 
>>> On Sun, Aug 10, 2014 at 12:01 PM, Robert <rmcgraw at blomand.net> wrote:
>>> 


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