[Boatanchors] OT Sort Of 0 Grid Current For AL-82 Amp

[Duane Fischer, W8DBF]

Hi All,

I seem to get a variety of answers for this question. I am "hopeful" that 
one of you wizards of wires can help me.

The creature is the Ameritron AL-82 HF amplifier. I need to know what the 
"correct" plate current should be when properly tuned on 14.225 into a 
Mosley TA-33 at 55 feet with a SWR of 1:4 and a drive power of 35 watts.

I also need to know the "correct" grid current the amp should be drawing. 
Some say from 100 - 150 MA and others say from 150 - 200 MA.

The HV is exactly right, showing 3600 volts.

The keydown output in the RTTY mode shows 900 watts. However, on my external 
RF Applications P-200CW meter, it shows as 980 watts.

I called Ameritron tech support, (alright, you can stop laughing now! Catch 
your breath.), and he did not know the "correct", as in "typical" grid 
current under the conditions aformentioned! I heard him hurridly flipping 
through printed pages searching ... Finally he told me that with 35 watts of 
drive, a SWR of 1:4, on 320M at 14.225 MHZ, the plate was fine at 500 and 
the grid was alright at 200 MA. However, the old blind dude here detected a 
hint of doubt in his voice when he told me that the grid was alright at 200 
MA!

So gentlemen, I hope that one of you either has an AL-82 or has had one, 
maybe still has his notes on it, and can tell me what I need to know. Thanks 
guys!


Duane Fischer, W8DBF - WPE8CXO
E-Mail: dfischer at usol.com
Hallicrafters web site: www.w9wze.net
HHRP web site: hhrp.w9wze.net