[TenTec] Care and Feeding of Centurions

[Bob McGraw - K4TAX]

Just go to his website.  For every amp I've updated or restored I've 
included his design and materials for parasitic suppressors.  I also include 
a "glitch" resistor if not in the original design.

http://www.somis.org/Oct88qst.html


73
Bob, K4TAX



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bry Carling" <bcarling at cfl.rr.com>
To: "Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment" <tentec at contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, February 02, 2014 8:37 PM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Care and Feeding of Centurions


> Good to know. I would like to see the Measures mod.
>
> Best regards - Bry Carling
>
>
>
>> On Feb 2, 2014, at 9:39 PM, "Bob McGraw - K4TAX" <RMcGraw at Blomand.net> 
>> wrote:
>>
>> 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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>>
>>
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