[Johnson] Thunderbolt and Valiant

[Rodger]

Hi John,

Actually the Pacemaker is probably as close as you will get to an exciter
that really matches the T-bolt.  I have the combo and they work well
together.

I agree that the Valiant is in a power range that will not match well with
any outboard amplifiers (at the amateur legal limit) and there would be very
little practical gain in attenuating it sufficiently to use with the Tbolt. 

By the way, the Thunderbolt isn't the heaviest piece of equipment I own
since I have a Desk KW but it is actually the most difficult to move around.
It is around 130 pounds and the power supply components are not easily
removed.  The Desk KW, on the other hand, was easily moved from the barn
workshop to its home in the radio room and it only takes a few minutes to
bolt all of the heavy iron back in place.  Just something for you and your
back to consider!

73, Rodger WQ9E

> -----Original Message-----
> From: johnson-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:johnson-
> bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Lawson
> Sent: Monday, February 19, 2007 4:25 PM
> To: johnson at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Johnson] Thunderbolt and Valiant
> 
> 
> 
>    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
> 
> 
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