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Re: [Amps] Ameritron AL-800

To: Douglas L <sparks06524@yahoo.com>, amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] Ameritron AL-800
From: Paul Decker via Amps <amps@contesting.com>
Reply-to: Paul Decker <kg7hf@comcast.net>
Date: Wed, 10 Dec 2025 19:26:57 -0500 (EST)
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
I'm not sure. I see at 450 MHz it is 46% efficiency

But typical operation at 150 MHz is listed as:

3CX800A7 – Typical Operation (Measured Data to 150 MHz)

Class AB2, Cathode Driven

Parameter       Value
Plate Voltage   2200 Vdc
Cathode Bias Voltage    +8.2 Vdc
Zero-Signal Plate Current       150 mAdc
CW Plate Current        500 mAdc
CW Power Input  1100 W
Peak Envelope Power Input       1100 W
Two-Tone Plate Current  313 mAdc
CW Grid Current 16 mAdc
Two-Tone Grid Current   16 mAdc
Peak RF Cathode Voltage 64 V
Peak Driving Power      70 W
Useful Power Output (CW)        750 W
Useful Power Output, PEP        **1100 W
Cathode Input Impedance 54 Ohms
Resonant Load Impedance 2700 Ohms
Intermodulation Distortion (IMD)        
– 3rd Order Products    –36 dB
– 5th Order Products    –32 dB

> On 12/10/2025 7:01 PM EST Douglas L <sparks06524@yahoo.com> wrote:
> 
>  
> Checking the specs, the 3CX800U7 is rated at 350 watts output with an 
> efficiency of only 33%. That’s less than half the rated output power of the 
> 3CX800A7.
> I wonder if it was derated for typical UHF service?
> If not, it’s a poor substitute for a 3CX800A7.
> Doug/WA1TUT
> 
> 
> > On Dec 10, 2025, at 1:01 PM, Paul Decker via Amps <amps@contesting.com> 
> > wrote:
> > 
> > 
> >> 
> >>> Has anyone created a work around to replace the 3CX800A7 tubes in the
> >>> AL-800, the AL800H, Alpha, Ten-Tec and other amps that used this tube?
> > 
> > The 3cx400U7 and 3cx800U7 are usually much cheaper alternatives and in many 
> > cases can be NOS. The datasheet lists the working B+ as lower, but I 
> > suspect that is simply due to the higher frequency rating of the U7
> > 
> > The only issue is changing out the base which seems daunting at first. 
> > There is an "RCA like" plug connector that fits the base really well so 
> > that only the grid ring needs to be figured out with some simple finger 
> > stock and a metal plate.
> > 
> > Someone with talent could design an adapter board that would work well too!
> > 
> > Paul
> > KG7HF
> > 
> > _______________________________________________
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> > Amps@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps

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