In a message dated 7/17/2007 10:12:08 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
w8ji@w8ji.com writes:
Using a tube right at the upper limit frequency isn't the
best idea, unless you just have no other choice or are
trying to prove a point.
73 Tom
Tom, Carl has been converting SB-200's to 6 meters for 40 years, he makes
them work right. Their continued performance "in use" proves they will last.
No doubt the "tube" is not the "best" choice but in the world of ham radio we
have to have a different outlook on things.
Lets say you were stranded on a tropical island and the only thing to eat
were bananas. You would eat bananas and you would eat a lot of bananas!! Or
perhaps coconuts, so you would eat a lot of coconuts. It may not be your
first choice of foods, but you would get to like them real fast.
In the world of ham radio we have lots of hams unable to build there own
equipment, lets face it, not everybody is like you and some of the others on
here. For many, if you can't plug it in and go, it just ain't happin'. I
think
we refer to them as appliance operators. Oh, and don't forget, hams rank
about the highest on the list for being as cheap as one can get! SO that
brings
us to what does one do about a 6 meter amp?
Well, if one can get 700 watts on 6 meters that is reliable and affordable,
and good heavens there are ALOT of SB-200's out there. I see multiple units
at hamfests STILL at reasonable prices. Even a brick doesn't come near the
cost of a converted Sb-200 in price and power. A Command Tech VHF 1200 used
would set you back a pretty penny. So for a buck a watt the Sb-200 stands up
to the job very nicely. I don't think it is a matter of proving a point,
because if that was the case Carl, and the like would have built one unit to
prove the point, but not do it for 40 years and do 100's of them for the hams
out there that think it's a good buy in a 6 meter amp. And I think THAT is
the
point.
Better choices in tubes YES. and in the same light, One can buy an Alpha
amp or one can buy an Ameritron amp. Is the Alpha a better choice? well, I
have 5 Ameritron amps at the present time. Lou
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