[Central-Electronics] 600L Question

[Bob Heil]

Hi Everyone
Been reading the 'highs and lows' of the 600L.   I was fortunate to find one in great condition, but never mind - 
I shipped this heavy weight to Nick Tusa.  Never even turned it on.  I wanted to make certain that this wonderful
piece of amateur radio technology from Joe Batchelor and Wes Schum back in the mid 50's, was as good as it 
was new - and probably better.   Nick did his usual incredible job of restoration.  Powder coated finish on the case, 
new knobs, beautiful front panel, new AC cord - all of the things that underline Nick and his team but of course the
best part was what they do inside.  

 All of the Central Electronic fans know the history of the 'no-tune' circuitry "magic" that Joe and Wes devised. 
 Think about this for a minute.  It was mid 1950's and here comes an amplifier that did not require ANY tuning.  None. 
 In fact, it only has a bandswitch (a nice large bandswitch), a meter switch and the power switch.  That's it.  As a young teenager
just into Amateur Radio, I wanted to join the SSB movement and set aside my Harvey Wells.  I could afford only the kit
so with the help of K0DGE, CBS engineer at KMOX,  built a 10B.  This launched my love for C.E. and SSB. I then built a 
20A and the 458 VFO.  What was missing was that wonderful 600L but totally out of reach for my funds at that time so it was
always a dream that came reality when I ran across that 600L that has been returned from Tusa Consulting and holds down
the bottom shelf  of my custom built cabinet (boy does it !) housing many of my original beauties.

I drive it with the 20A and get about 200 watts on AM and another 100 on SSB peaks.  Could I do better?  Of course.  There are
so many other amplifiers that would give me a few hundred watts more with the 10 to 12 watts of 20A drive but would it really 
make that much difference to the signal?  Hey - maybe 2 dB, 3dB which really could not be detected so why worry?  The 600L
is a piece of Amateur Radio history and everytime I get on the Sunday Vintage SSB net with Lynn K5LYN and the guys or the 
late night 75 meter AM fellows,  the Central Electronics 20A, 458 VFO and 600L present a piece of history.  To 
me and for most, this combination was the Rolls Royce of SSB industry.  It certainly is not the Maserati or Porsche speed demons
but the 600L is in a class all of it's own which has gained the respect and the value that few other pieces of equipment has accomplished.
Not to worry about dollar vs watts when talking about the Central Electronics gear.   It is the thrill and the ability to continue the legacy 
of one Wes Schum  W9DYV and let the beautiful audio of his phasing technology be heard by so many.

Bob Heil, K9EID
Co-Host of HAM Nation  (twit.tv/hn) Where you can see it behind me each week on the program.