[TenTec] Care and Feeding of Centurions

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

I've had two of the 422 Centurions.  Always tuned them and operated them to 
"full tilt boogie" power out.  The older one purchased new by me in 1991 
still has the original tubes, original filter caps, original fan and 
produces between 1200 and 1400 watts output depending on band.

The newer one has had a tube replacement as the fellow that had it before me 
abused the amp.  I put in a new matched pair of 3-500's and changed the 
parasitic suppressors to the Rich Measures design.  I find the amp tunes 
much smoother, no flash-over events noted and makes more than 1200 watts out 
on all bands including 10M.

73
Bob, K4TAX





----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Richards" <jrichards at k8jhr.com>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2014 5:53 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Care and Feeding of Centurions


> Whoa...  THANKS FOR ALL THE PROMPT ANSWERS !!
>
> 1)  I will follow the recommended internal check.   I will enlist the 
> oversight of a local Elmer who retired from designing radio gear for Lear 
> Jets, NASA, and the Air Force.  He looks over my shoulder ans asks a lot 
> of questions, like the Professor in a college physics lab.   He won't do 
> it, but he watches and quizzes me as I go along, so I learn a lot.
>
> 2)  I will locate the referenced QST article, and be careful it applies to 
> this type of amp.
>
> 3)  I get the point that proper handling is the key to longevity.  I never 
> run it over 600 watts and watch the meters carefully.   I received good 
> advice on proper tuning from this group when I purchased it, so I got off 
> to a good start.  I never push it, as I am serious about being a courteous 
> and good operator, with a good clean signal.    Similarly, I buy big cars 
> with big engines, and then run them easy, usually owning a car for up to 
> fifteen years. ... Well... OK...  that is, most of the time... 
> occasionally, I take the sports cars out for a "spirited ride" because, 
> like a good racing or hunting hound, they need the exercise... ;-)
>
> 4)    As for a spare transformer... sheesh... while I take the point 
> seriously... I don't expect to last another 20 years!   My wife says, we 
> agreed  "... until death do us part..."   which she says could come sooner 
> or later... so all bets are off!
>
> Thanks, again.
>
> ------------------------------  JHR -------------------------
>
>
>
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