[Johnson] Thunderbolt Linear

Sun, 24 Nov 2002 20:08:42 -0500

There is nothing at all wrong with running a ranger and a thunderbolt on AM. But if
driven too hard then yes it will sound like crap.
The power level needs to be determined by applying enough drive to just before grid
current in the thunderbolt. Tune up for maximum power out of it. No grid current.

NOTE the amount of power out. If it is 1500 watts out then reduce the drive to it so
that the output drops to 350 watts. That would be the proper way to run it.

But I don't think a thunderbolt will put out 1500 watts in AB1. If I remember right
they are only good for about 2000 watts input. That would be about 1000 to 1100
watts out. With that much output then the drive would need to be reduced to an
amount that would give 1/4 the output or around 250 watts for AM. All the while not
retuning or touching the final tuning or loading.

If you try and run any more out than that on AM it will not sound good. But keeping
the levels right it will sound as good as the ranger by itself but much stronger
signal.

73
Gary  K4FMX

Barry Anderson wrote:

> Ron ...
>
>         The T-Bolt linear is a fine amp ... I've one myself ... along with some
> Apha's. Todays rigs can be turned down and, therefore, a T pad is not
> needed to reduce the drive.
>
>         The problem with what you want to do is running low level AM through the
> linear. This will give you ~350W of cxr, but the audio will suck. If you
> drive a linear much harder than that, you risk killing it. I know that
> todays amateurs with limited experience in electronic knowlege endorse low
> level AM modulation ... but a Valiant will talk rings around a Ranger and a
> T-Bolt using low level AM. Better yet, keep your eyes open for a Viking
> 500, or a Globe Chief or Globe King transmitter.
>
> Barry K3SUI
>
> At 09:50 PM 11/23/2002 -0600, you wrote:
> >Hello:
> >Can anyone tell me if this is a rare item to find?  Also, what is a
> >price range?  This afternoon, I heard one matched up with a Ranger 1 on
> >AM, and it got me to thinking!
> >73,  RON  K9KLT
> >
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