[Elecraft] OT: new SS amps

[WILLIS COOKE]

Ron, there are other considerations.  The tubes available today are made in China.  I had very bad luck with two sets of Taylor brand 572Bs that were made in China.  One set never worked at all and the other set lasted about a month.  I am still using the 572Bs that I bought in 1976 used.  So, if you get one of the 811A or 572B amps with Chinese tubes how long will they last?  Am I extremely unlucky or did I ruin them intentionally as R. F. Parts accused?  I really don't know, but it certainly will weigh heavily on my decision of what amp to buy.  In fact, I just bought a used ALS-600.  I will see how well that works for me.

Tuning is not really a factor for me.  If you buy a "No Tune" solid state amp then need an antenna tuner you have not changed things a lot.  But, will you need new tubes in a month or so?  How long will you be able to buy them?

Willis 'Cookie' Cooke 
K5EWJ


--- On Sat, 12/20/08, Ron D'Eau Claire <ron at cobi.biz> wrote:

> From: Ron D'Eau Claire <ron at cobi.biz>
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] OT: new SS amps
> To: "'Elecraft Reflector'" <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
> Date: Saturday, December 20, 2008, 3:44 PM
> What catches my eye is that comparing the amps on page 1 and
> page 9, you
> have to pay $2,000 more for an additional 1.7 dB of gain
> with the amp on
> page 9.
> 
> Sure. you have to know how to adjust an amp and actually
> tune the one on
> page 1 whereas the one on page 9 is "no tuning"
> (assuming the antenna is
> tuned or you do the tuning with an external tuner). 
> 
> I guess that's significant to the hard-core contester,
> but for that
> convenience along with the 1.7 dB gain you must pay $2,000
> for those who
> demand the ability to QSY across the band or between bands
> instantly, or who
> want to operate their station remotely through a computer. 
> 
> Ron AC7AC
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of
> DOUGLAS ZWIEBEL
> Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 2:30 PM
> To: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: [Elecraft] OT: new SS amps
> 
> I just ran into this by accident.
> 
> http://www.ameritron.com/catalog/Ameritron_2009.pdf
> 
> See page 9.
> 
> No stated expected delivery
> Not enough "specs" for my liking, but still,
> rather interesting.
> Is this "contest grade?"  Who knows?
> 
> de Doug KR2Q
> 
> 
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