I ran some tests on my new Centaur 411 last night for power and got the
following results:
POWER OUT XMTR XMTR
FREQ 411 Bird SWR DRV W Ig Ip Notes
---- ---- ---- ----- ----- ---- ---- ------------------
1800 450 575 1.5:1 80 135 640 arc 1st pass
1900 130 50 1.5:1 100 140 750 " " "
3500 540 600 1.7:1 90 130 640 " " "
3990 530 520 1.7:1 90 125 600 " " "
7000 500 510 1.5:1 90 90 625 " " "
7350 500 520 1.5:1 90 140 600 no arc
10100 510 630 1.3:1 80 110 650 " "
14000 500 520 1.6:1 90 130 610 " "
14350 500 530 1.5:1 110 100 700 " "
18100 460 460 1.7:1 85 115 625 " "
21000 380 360 1.6:1 70 80 550 " "
21450 290 250 1.6:1 75 80 615 one SNAP!
24900 350 210 2.5:1 30 70 310 no arc
28000 350 370 1.8:1 55 70 580 " "
29000 400 440 2.0:1 65 85 700 " "
29700 320 320 2.1:1 70 80 725 " "
XMTR Driving: ICOM IC-765, autotuner disabled, full avail. pwr
Bird Model 43 peak-reading wattmeter; MFJ Versaload "cantenna"
style dummy load (ceramic resistor in 1 gal transformer oil).
I've included the measured Ig and Ip readings as well for
completeness, and in case they present a helpful clue.
Two full sets of measurements were taken and the results closely
correlated. Arcing occurred many times in the TUNE capacitor
on 160 and 80 meters on the first pass through the measurements,
and once on 40m. After tuning at the high end of 15m the first
time, there was a loud snap (discharge) from somewhere inside.
On the second pass through the measurements, no arcing was heard.
Sitting in front of the amp for the length of time it took to make
all the measurements each time made the fan noise all the more
difficult to listen to. My only reference so far is an Alpha 76
(1.5KW, brick-on-key) which is almost silent. It would seem that
something quieter could be found (I'd even be glad to install it!).
I'm concerned about the power reduction noticeable from 17m up.
The high end of 160 is of little concern to me, but there is a
problem there too. 10m is derated in the specs, but I don't see
any better performance on 12m or 15m.
Hopefully, there is some problem on my end, but my results appear
to be similar to Paul's, mentioned earlier.
Duane, AC5AA
Duane A. Calvin
ac5aa@juno.com -or- duanec@prodigy.net
day: dcalvin@austin.ibm.com
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