Another great video, Dave! Thank you from N7RLV. I have an Elecraft kpa500 and matching tuner that I picked up used. It works well and gives me a nice bump in power. I find I seldom bother to turn it on any more. The band conditions are so good recently that I can easily work DX on 100 watts, and sometimes even work DX qrp just for kicks. This is using an endfed 104 foot wire hung from trees fed through a 9:1 unun. I have more fun hunting for approachable stations rather than being the loudest signal in a pile up.
Nick AA3WA I purchased a solid state Mercury IIIs amp and AT from KM3KM These units are attractively priced but there may be a wait to get them. i am VERY pleased with their operation.
Interesting that Dave appears to have missed mentioning the Mercury 3 amp. 1.2kw ssb on 120v. That thing is a piece of art and only $2700 so you don't have to sell a leg to get one. The only downside is that there is currently a one-year wait on the list. For the quality, features, excellent customer service, and price, it's not surprising.
Good one Dave - And you are right, work on the antennas first. Cheaper and it helps reception as well as transmission. Then the amp if needed. I have an old Heathkit SB200 that works fine business, and it goes with the old HK HW101, but also use it on the Yaesu. You said you use the Ameritron at 600 watts - doable but much longer finals life if kept below 500 watts, the same as most other solid state amps. AA7VA
I ran many years the Ameritron 80A with pi tuning and it was a workhorse! Downsizing forced me to sell the amp, but it also forced me to become a more skilled op - a work in progress...HI HI 73/K6SDW
Penta labs is providing some fantastic 3-500z's right now, although they are Chinese, Penta labs has been putting a warranty behind these tubes, the are manufactured with a great deal of quality control believe it or not.
LDMOS amplifiers are probably the way forward, but there are some bargains to be had with ""old school" amplifiers too. The video mentions Class-A but of course most of our amplifiers operate in Class-AB.
I earned my living designing solid state high power military power electronics used to drive microwave tubes.....I know high power semiconductor devices, therefore I have three "pair of 3-500Z" amps in my shack. A Raytrack I bought in 1973, used it for 5 years and carefully packed it away, unwrapped it abt 4 years ago when I got back on the low bands, new filter caps and rectifiers, a carefull Variac run up and then some "cherry red plate" gettering (de-gassing) and works like new, with the original Eimac bottles. I also run a monoband SB-220 on 6 meters and have a Drake L4-B as "backup" ...........73 from Boston, Mike K1FNX
There are also the ACOMs (I have a 1010) but it is true that with the events in Ukraine, if I ever have to change the tube, it may be long and difficult. Another great instructional video. Thanks Dave. 73/F8MGW
I have the same conversation about guitar amps! Of course, different aspects here, guitarists don't care about 50 ohms or not. Another great video, very educational, as usual!!!
I just picked up a used Ameritron AL-572 Amplifier that claims it is 1,300 Watts. Runs off 110V but needs a dedicated 20A circuit. I have a 40M dipole and then have a 102' end fed with a 1500W 9:1 unun. I thought I heard that I do need a tuner, and then I don't need a tuner as the output network will match the antenna. Which is it? I do have a lead on 3 different 1,200 W + tuners but two of them were designed in the 1970s. (The owner wants to "thin his herd.") I think I should probably pick up one of them but I am tempted to evaluate the amp without a tuner first (at reduced power, of course.)
Tube amps are great in the winter. If you want more power out, start with a better antenna, as Dave says, match the antenna first. Why waste your precious signal heating up an expensive tuner?
Anything more than 600 watts PEP is diminishing returns. The difference between 100 and 500 watts is 1 S unit. The difference between 500 and 1500 watts is approximately another S unit. In addition to the expense of a 1 to 1.5K amp is the need for a 240v outlet which can cost upwards of 1K depending on your home wiring. Solid state amps are also heavier due to the heat sinks for the unit. The advantage is SS amps don’t need to be tuned and have fault detection for input, SWR, and temperature excesses. Most of the operators that use amps opt for the Ameritron 811H, 800W tube amp for about $1400 less tax and 10/12 meter mod. Tubes are readily available and reasonably priced.
I got a Ameritron 811 three tuber from my Elmer built in 2008, for 400 bucks! On my QRZ page JohnBoyUtah KJ7TBR! Dave is ok , Antennas in Utah with high wind big problem, canyon winds.
I will stick with my tube amp it will take much more abuse then any solid state and is much easier to fix if it brakes. Good old 3-500z tubes are cheaper and easy to get. A set of transistors for a high power amp will cost more then the $500 a pair of 3-500z tubes. If you have ever changed power transistors you would know that's no easy task.
If you're truly afraid of the hook up. You can pull the wire, set the boxes and have a sparky do final hook up. Depending on the run length this could save you lots of labor and you might find a smaller shop that will cut a deal for such a simple job.
I wouldn't TOUCH anything made by MFJ or the companies they have acquired. Their QC has become so bad, that many distributors don't even want to sell their products anymore because of all the returns. I took a chance on one of their SWR meters and sure enough, it was defective. MFJ is the perfect anacronym for what they've been selling.
Another great video, Dave! Thank you from N7RLV. I have an Elecraft kpa500 and matching tuner that I picked up used. It works well and gives me a nice bump in power. I find I seldom bother to turn it on any more. The band conditions are so good recently that I can easily work DX on 100 watts, and sometimes even work DX qrp just for kicks. This is using an endfed 104 foot wire hung from trees fed through a 9:1 unun. I have more fun hunting for approachable stations rather than being the loudest signal in a pile up.
LDMOS is the way forward, I think.
Nick AA3WA I purchased a solid state Mercury IIIs amp and AT from KM3KM These units are attractively priced but there may be a wait to get them. i am VERY pleased with their operation.
Interesting that Dave appears to have missed mentioning the Mercury 3 amp. 1.2kw ssb on 120v. That thing is a piece of art and only $2700 so you don't have to sell a leg to get one.
The only downside is that there is currently a one-year wait on the list. For the quality, features, excellent customer service, and price, it's not surprising.
Good one Dave -
And you are right, work on the antennas first. Cheaper and it helps reception as well as transmission. Then the amp if needed.
I have an old Heathkit SB200 that works fine business, and it goes with the old HK HW101, but also use it on the Yaesu.
You said you use the Ameritron at 600 watts - doable but much longer finals life if kept below 500 watts, the same as most other solid state amps.
AA7VA
I ran many years the Ameritron 80A with pi tuning and it was a workhorse! Downsizing forced me to sell the amp, but it also forced me to become a more skilled op - a work in progress...HI HI 73/K6SDW
Don't overlook a few of the "Free band" amp builders.. a few will build band switching and filtration into them. They even use LDMOS.
I don't have an amp and my neighbors are already complaining about lights dimming and outages.
I think I will forgo an amp. N0QFT
Penta labs is providing some fantastic 3-500z's right now, although they are Chinese, Penta labs has been putting a warranty behind these tubes, the are manufactured with a great deal of quality control believe it or not.
DAVE IS 100% RIGHT HIGHT IS MIGHT WITH A GOOD AREAL,EXCELLENT TRANSMITTING AND RECEPTION, and a AMP. Doesn’t hurt.
Thank you, Dave. A great video. N0QFT
LDMOS amplifiers are probably the way forward, but there are some bargains to be had with ""old school" amplifiers too. The video mentions Class-A but of course most of our amplifiers operate in Class-AB.
I earned my living designing solid state high power military power electronics used to drive microwave tubes.....I know high power semiconductor devices, therefore I have three "pair of 3-500Z" amps in my shack. A Raytrack I bought in 1973, used it for 5 years and carefully packed it away, unwrapped it abt 4 years ago when I got back on the low bands, new filter caps and rectifiers, a carefull Variac run up and then some "cherry red plate" gettering (de-gassing) and works like new, with the original Eimac bottles. I also run a monoband SB-220 on 6 meters and have a Drake L4-B as "backup" ...........73 from Boston, Mike K1FNX
Thanks!
Thanks for the video. Is it normal for me to see over 70 volts AC in my Gallien-Krueger 250ml circuit and on the effects send and return?
There are also the ACOMs (I have a 1010) but it is true that with the events in Ukraine, if I ever have to change the tube, it may be long and difficult. Another great instructional video. Thanks Dave. 73/F8MGW
Penta Labs make excellent tubes in the US, Europe and Asia.
I choose to run an ALS 500M but also have an older tube amp.
I have the same conversation about guitar amps! Of course, different aspects here, guitarists don't care about 50 ohms or not. Another great video, very educational, as usual!!!
Love my fully transistor IC-PW1…
I just picked up a used Ameritron AL-572 Amplifier that claims it is 1,300 Watts. Runs off 110V but needs a dedicated 20A circuit. I have a 40M dipole and then have a 102' end fed with a 1500W 9:1 unun. I thought I heard that I do need a tuner, and then I don't need a tuner as the output network will match the antenna. Which is it? I do have a lead on 3 different 1,200 W + tuners but two of them were designed in the 1970s. (The owner wants to "thin his herd.") I think I should probably pick up one of them but I am tempted to evaluate the amp without a tuner first (at reduced power, of course.)
Tube amps are great in the winter. If you want more power out, start with a better antenna, as Dave says, match the antenna first. Why waste your precious signal heating up an expensive tuner?
How did you wire the 500m to power supply with all the red + leads?
Any hope of using class D amplification for HF like MW commercial transmitters are doing?
I hear Palstar la-1k is a great amplifier as well.
I have this amp it’s amazing it pairs great with their ATU too.
LDMOS all the way. Palstar LA-1A with matching tuner
I want to run an amp off of DC. Up to 48VDC when I get my online solar system going.
Anything more than 600 watts PEP is diminishing returns. The difference between 100 and 500 watts is 1 S unit. The difference between 500 and 1500 watts is approximately another S unit. In addition to the expense of a 1 to 1.5K amp is the need for a 240v outlet which can cost upwards of 1K depending on your home wiring. Solid state amps are also heavier due to the heat sinks for the unit. The advantage is SS amps don’t need to be tuned and have fault detection for input, SWR, and temperature excesses. Most of the operators that use amps opt for the Ameritron 811H, 800W tube amp for about $1400 less tax and 10/12 meter mod. Tubes are readily available and reasonably priced.
Exactly correct the math is correct , I.e. 500 watts is all you need! Good old 811 three tubers! JohnBoyUtah KJ7TBR😎🇺🇸📡🎙
I got a Ameritron 811 three tuber from my Elmer built in 2008, for 400 bucks! On my QRZ page JohnBoyUtah KJ7TBR! Dave is ok , Antennas in Utah with high wind big problem, canyon winds.
I will stick with my tube amp it will take much more abuse then any solid state and is much easier to fix if it brakes. Good old 3-500z tubes are cheaper and easy to get. A set of transistors for a high power amp will cost more then the $500 a pair of 3-500z tubes. If you have ever changed power transistors you would know that's no easy task.
Acom are awesome amplifiers.
A 220 circuit is one more hot wire off the other leg vs 110. If you can run one there's no reason to think you can't run the other.
If you're truly afraid of the hook up. You can pull the wire, set the boxes and have a sparky do final hook up. Depending on the run length this could save you lots of labor and you might find a smaller shop that will cut a deal for such a simple job.
I'm told tube amps are making a come back in the music world is because tube amps have a deeper rich smoother base sound
I wouldn't TOUCH anything made by MFJ or the companies they have acquired. Their QC has become so bad, that many distributors don't even want to sell their products anymore because of all the returns. I took a chance on one of their SWR meters and sure enough, it was defective. MFJ is the perfect anacronym for what they've been selling.
they may be different beasts but the end result is the same
Thats ogsponsive.