[160m] 160M Amplifier

[robert t]

Hi Tom,
Thanks for your prompt reply to my query.  Well, your
comments lead me to have 2nd thoughts about the ACOM
1000 that has rave reviews on eHam.net.  It's lure is
that it's a 6M-160M 1000W amp.  It has a single
4CX800A(GU74B)Svetlana high perfomance ceramic-metal
tetrode w/ plate dissipation of 800W(forced air
cooling,grid driven). It is a bit pricey.
Robert N6OI


--- Tom Rauch <w8ji at contesting.com> wrote:

> > 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
> 
> 




		
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