[NLRS] vhf amps

[Marshall Pochay]

For some reason my reply emails are getting bumped, Not trying to hyjack the thread. Hello all. I have used and still use both te systems and mirage. My mirage amps are pre mfj. Problem with the pre mfj amp if something fails mfj wont touch it. I think  mfj is also only making the lower power amp not the 300 water I have on 2 meters. I have 3 te systems amps. Both the 6 and 2 are the higher power 375 watt amps. When brand new they each ran over 400 watts no problem.  I also have the 432 version  that I still use on 432 for the contest. I have read online how all 3 amps are using the same board . TO me that means theres probably room for improvement.  Someone could probably get in there and tweak  the te circuit too make it better. That being said. The te amp dosent have any protection circuit in it.  Myself and my dad have blown everyone of my amps up. I attribute all the failures to operator error. Bad swr. Over driving etc .Think dad( w9rvg) popped  the 432 amp running jt65 eme. Sometimes it's hard to get ahold of dave at te. That's who I used to deal with first name bases lol. I dont think they where designed with the digital modes in mind. I think they will run it at a lower power level but you have to put a lot of air on. I hadn't run across the melting solder statement  regarding there amps but I'm thinking that amp would have to be real hot. I went ahead and paid out the big money for the m2 amps for 6 and 2. I have no regrets. The protection on the new ldmos amps is great. I have popped my m2 amps at least 3 times. If that would have been the te it would have been 3 trips to California.  W6pql I think makes a 500 or 600 water. Price is up on it I think.   I dont think te is a bad amp. I check the swr on the 432 mhz line everytime I fire it up. Tube amps are more forgiving and maybe you might want to go that route. I myself am thinking about upgrading my old miriage on 222 (180 watts) to the te 28 volt 500 watt amp as I'm not sure I really need a kw on 222. I'm surprised you didnt get more comments on te as there are allot  of people using them. I think for ft8 you would be ok with a te as long as you watched the heat. Now msk is another story. When I got to msk there is a heavier load put on the amps. They work harder and power out drops down. At the en61 qth I am making msk contacts barefoot no problem. Contest time in em57 I run the bigger amps. I still have the te amps on 6 and 2 . They dont run the original power they did when they where brand new but they will put out at least 300 watts if put in use. I keep them for spares. If you want to lay out the cash the ldmos amps are the way to go. TNX Marshall wd9exd