[TMC] FS: PAL-500, complete, working

[john poulton]

I have for sale a complete, fully operational PAL-500 with power supply and cables.

While I've seen one or two of these for sale over the years, I've never seen a *working*
one offered, so I think this is at least an unusual opportunity, if not unique.  This rig
comprises amplifier S/N 148 and power supply (PSP-500) S/N 237.  Both were in service
at a Canadian airport in the northwest part of Canada (long and interesting story there... :)

I've been working on this rig, along with two others, for over a year.  The power supply
has had both circuit breakers replaced with brand new ones from Heinemann Electric.
The screen supply resistor has been replaced with a new 100W unit (original was 50W).

The amplifier has a good set of tubes, has been fully aligned, and has been loaded up to 250W
(average, one-tone) output on 75m.  (Specification is 500W PEP 2-tone, so 250W average for
one-tone is up to spec.)  Both amp and power supply were largely disassembled
and thoroughly cleaned, and a raft of small repairs (resistors, chokes, cable clamps, etc, etc)
were made.   Blower bearings have been replaced, and the blower is about as quiet
as any TMC amp.

The rigs are in original cosmetic condition  There is one fairly deep scratch on the front panel 
of the power supply, along with a bunch of very light scuffs.  There are some scuffs and scrapes 
on the amplifier panel as well, and both units have the usual rack rash.  The inside cover over 
the driver sub-chassis is missing; this cover doesn't appear to have much function and it's missing 
from all three amplifiers that I have.  The driver is fully shielded by the top cover.  Overall, 
condition is consistent with a *working* life of nearly  50 years, though both have been cleaned 
as thoroughly as I could manage.

You can read a detailed description of the work on these amplifiers at

http://www.tmchistory.org/tmc_restoration/PAL-500/pal-500_restoration_notes.htm

Asking $1700 for this rig, which includes a manual.  I cannot ship this rig (*), so pickup only
in Chapel Hill, NC.  However, if you live between here and Florida, I'll deliver in the next few
days--act fast, though!  Also planning a trip to the northeast (NY, MA and points in between)
in a couple of weeks, so could do delivery along the way, or at the Rochester AWA meet.

For another $100 I'll throw in the STE-5U exciter that came with the amplifier--it's in good cosmetic 
shape but unknown operational  condition, set up to operate at 5680Kc.

Be happy to supply additional pictures for serious inquiries..

73, John K4OZY

(*)  When the rigs were shipped from Canada, they were very well packed.  Nevertheless, the
100# PSP-500's both suffered significant damage, including trashing all four circuit breakers, and
much bent sheet metal.  I'm not willing to risk this again, thus *PICKUP ONLY*.