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Re: [Amps] SB-200 Output Power Too High?

To: Mike Selfridge <scifiguy@starband.net>, <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] SB-200 Output Power Too High?
From: <k6kwq@adelphia.net>
Date: Sun, 7 Dec 2003 9:40:58 -0500
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Your measurments of output power are wrong somewere.
> 
> From: Mike Selfridge <scifiguy@starband.net>
> Date: 2003/12/06 Sat PM 05:37:46 EST
> To: amps@contesting.com
> Subject: [Amps] SB-200 Output Power Too High?
> 
> I have a very well kept Heathkit SB-200 I purchased a couple months 
> ago.  It has the Harbach power supply, soft start, and soft key mods.  I am 
> running it on 240VAC (measures 232VAC when keydown).  The tubes are new 
> (about 20 hours) Taylor 572Bs.
> 
> Before buying the amp, I had read that the SB-200 can output about 500W to 
> 700W CW, with 100W input.  However, much to my surprise and delight, this 
> amp puts out a lot more.
> 
> The highest output seems to be on 20 meters, where it actually achieves 
> 1100W CW into a dummy load (found this out by accident, when I drove it 
> with 100W, then noticed the plate current was way too high, so very quickly 
> reduced the drive).  At 70W input, the plate current reads 500mA, and the 
> output is about 900W CW.  40 and 80 meters also produce similar power, but 
> with full 100W drive.
> 
> Now, before I hear that my power meter must be bad or out of calibration, 
> let me say that the meter is new, and reads the same as my backup meter, as 
> well as reading exactly what it should with my FT-897 (reads the same as 
> the test data on the calibration sheet from Yaesu, within a couple percent).
> 
> I checked the output on all bands, using a spectrum analyzer, and found 
> nothing unusual, so I know it is not producing parasitic oscillations, nor 
> is the harmonic content too high.  On the air, I have had nothing but 
> positive reports.
> 
> I know you can't get something for nothing, and class B amplifiers don't 
> operate at 93% efficiency (yup, that's what I calculated), so I assume the 
> meter on the front of the amplifier must be inaccurate.  I suspect the 
> plate current and/or high voltage is higher than the meter shows, so I'll 
> have to calibrate it with a current source, and replace the appropriate 
> components to give an accurate reading.
> 
> Has anyone else with an SB-200 seen output this high?  My web searches show 
> that most get about 600W CW.  I don't push the output to the limit on CW 
> operation, but I love the ability to get 1100W PEP on SSB!
> 
> 73
> 
> --Mike (N6QG)
> 
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