[Elecraft] OT: new SS amps

[Bruce McLaughlin]

It's funny how experiences can differ.  A couple years ago I decided to
refurbish my old Heathkit SB-200.  Included in the project was a set of new
tubes to replace the original tubes from 1972.  I purchased a pair of
Svetlana 572Bs from RF parts.  One of them burned out its filament after it
was turned on for about the fourth or fifth time.  I have never had a tube
do that before.  RF parts exchanged them for a set of Taylor tubes which
have worked fine for the past couple of years.  I guess all this means is
that when you are buying imported tubes the quality control may leave
something to be desired.  Eimac tubes may cost much more, but except for
some well documented exceptions, they generally appear to be much more
consistent and robust.  Frankly, I would rather pay more for the amplifier
up front with good Eimac tubes instead of being forced into a game of
Russian roulette as to whether the tubes will still be available when
replacements are needed, sometimes a lot sooner than should be the case.

Bruce-W8FU

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of WILLIS COOKE
Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 8:15 PM
To: Ron D'Eau Claire; Elecraft Reflector
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] OT: new SS amps

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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