If I had a choice between an AL-80A or B and a TL-922 its a no brainer
and the TL-922 wins hands down.
Beating a single 3-500Z with 100W and bragging about getting 800-1000W
(typical on the air comments) is a sign of a totally non technical
owner. Having to adjust the exciter power on every band for 65-70W of
drive for sane operation is an annoyance I wouldnt want either.
The TL-922, Centurion, LK-500's, and SB-220 are all PS limited and
running a pair of 3-500Z's at 1100-1200W with 100W drive pretty much
guarantees long tube life. Ive had my LK-500ZC since 1988, its been
worked hard in contests and DX chasing and the original tubes are still
putting out 1200W.
Ive had literally hundreds of SB-220's in here for 6M conversion and the
great majority still have the original tubes doing a fine job. I cant
say that about AL-80's or other single tube clones.
Carl
KM1H
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rob Atkinson" <ranchorobbo@gmail.com>
To: <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 3:43 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Amps comparison
> At the risk of raising the hackles of the amp experts I'll weigh in
> with heretical advice: Buy neither and save some more money and go
> with a new amp from Ameritron. In the long run you'll be glad. An
> amp when properly cared for, will last a loooong time, decades even,
> so it's not like a PC or some high tech rig that goes out of date in a
> few years. You may as well spend some $$$ and do it right to begin
> with. I never liked Dentrons mainly because I don't like the way
> they crammed as many components in as small a cabinet as possible. I
> never really understood that. As for the 922, it always had a high
> voltage supply that was pretty wimpy as I recall (on a par with the
> stock supply in the ten tec Centurion). Or, you could spend a few
> hundred dollars more and look for a used AL80B. You can get a nice
> one for $800 if you are patient. You probably can't afford it but in
> my opinion, one of the best values out there right now is the AL82
> with I think, 3.6 Kv on the plates and selling for far less than other
> legal limit amps. But back to the 80B, that amp will probably put out
> just as many watts as the 922 but with one 3-500 and less drive and it
> will work with modern rigs and cover all of HF and 160. But If you
> can get a good 922 dirt cheap and your friend can really fix it
> up.....it's up to you.
>
> 73
>
> rob / k5uj
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