[NLRS] Transistor Idling Current for Class AB?

[Scott]

Another good technical question for the gurus of NLRS land...

I have an amplifier from a friend that uses three SD1477 trannys to give 
in the neighborhood of 200-240W out.  The amp is set up for FM use, but 
it is apparent that the circuit board was designed to allow modification 
for linear use.  My question:  What would be a good reasonable Ic idling 
current (no drive) for an SD1477?  Looking on line, I see some generic 
stuff that looks like maybe somewhere around 200mA for an amp up to 
about 25W.  It appears that each of these should put out about 80W, so 
would 500mA be appropriate?  More or less?  What is the best way to 
arrive at it experimentally?  I have a spectrum analyzer good to 26.5 
GHz.  Would I set the radio up with a 1 KHz tone and 50 Watts out 
driving the amp (SSB) and look at the spectrum analyzer?  What would I 
look for?  Or would on the air reports be adequate?

-- 
Scott N0EDV
http://corbenflyer.tripod.com/
Gotta Fly or Gonna Die
Building RV-4 (Super Slow Build Version)