[Johnson] Thunderbolt and Valiant

[John Lawson]

   I, too wanted this configuration.  Looked at, drooled over - nearly 
bought - various T-Bolts to match my Valiant.


   However - there is some Prevailing Wisdom around such a plan - and that 
wisdom is: don't bother.

   You can't 'turn down' the Valiant - it wants to make around  120 watts 
or so all the time.

   The Thunderbolt, as you observe, only needs 10 watts or so of drive.

   So - you're going to waste 90% of the Valiant's output as heat.

   The AM, RMS continuous output of the average Thunderbolt is not, IMHO, 
that great of an increment over the Valiant, as these things go.

   Why Johnson never made just a dedicated 'exciter' type rig to match the 
T-bolts is rather typical of thier amateur-line thought proceses.

   Before acquiring my RCA Broadcast transmitter, I had planned to do the 
'low-power' mod to one of my Rangers, and use that to drive the 
Thunderbolt - and, considering the relative values of the rigs - that 
might be an alternative to think about.


   Just my 200 millidollar for a Monday afternoon...


Cheers

John
KB6SCO
DM09fg