[160m] 160M Amplifier

[Tom Rauch]

> I would greatly appreciate some guidance, comments,
> etc in choosing a good amp that operates well on 160M.
>  I know that some have modified SB220s to operate on
> 160M, but this is beyond my ability unless I were to
> find one for sale.  So I would like to know what
> amp(s) out there  operate 160 well and are in the
> price range of "most bang for your buck".  Thanks
> much.

Hi Robert,

I designed amps for Heathkit, Ameritron, and other
companies. If I wanted maximum power at minimum cost I'd
probably buy the Ameritron AL811A amplifier. Although this
isn't a big amplifier and being cheap has some shortfalls,
if you know how to run it will last a long time and give 600
watts or so of pretty clean output. Tubes are about the only
thing that ever goes wrong (generally from over-dissipation
while tuning), and you can buy 811A's or even drop in longer
life 572B's without hocking your watch.

Although I'm not designing or contracting with any company
selling amateur radio amplifiers at the moment, I've watched
the tube market carefully. Personally I'd stay away from any
investment in any expensive  amplifier using vacuum tubes.
It is a rapidly declining market. Russian tubes are largely
old stock surplus and will eventually run out. Ask people
how they like their Svetlana 4CX1600 amplifiers now that
surplus tube sources have dried up.

If I did buy any tube amp, it would be with a common
industrial or commercial tube like a 3CX800A7. They are not
only significantly cleaner than tetrode amps, you are more
likely to have a stable source of tubes for the next several
years.

I fully expect in the next 20 years lower power power-grid
transmitting tubes will be like sweep tubes, so pick the
most common tube you can find. Be absolutely sure any tube
you pick is still being manufactured and very widely used in
current equipment, and not surplus old stock being dumped!

73 Tom