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Re: [Amps] A Symptom of Low Bias?

To: kb0nly@mchsi.com, amps@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [Amps] A Symptom of Low Bias?
From: TexasRF@aol.com
Date: Fri, 6 Mar 2009 16:23:03 EST
List-post: <amps@contesting.com">mailto:amps@contesting.com>
If there is a plate voltage metering circuit, there could be a sneak path  
for this current to flow through the grid meter. If it does, it would be in the 
 
reverse direction compared to normal grid current.
 
Assuming your bias circuit is located between cathode and ground, the B-  
should be connected to cathode. The plate voltmeter (if there is one) return  
should also be connected to the cathode.
 
73,
Gerald K5GW
 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 3/6/2009 2:05:23 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
kb0nly@mchsi.com writes:

I can  borrow a scope and check that, I found a website explaining basically 
the  same way you just described!  I have always just used a good peak  
reading meter but I don't have much for options on 6m yet, I want to build  
or buy something eventually.  I have a Heathkit HM-2102 that i used  for 2M, 
but it can be used for 6M by changing one cap value and  recalibrating it so 
i will do that along with the modifications to  increase its full scale range 
that seems to be pretty popular and known to  work on them.

Can you suggest however why the grid meter would read a  negative value on 
keyup with no drive??

As for overdriving it, i'm  keeping the drive to 20W as the spec sheets for 
this tube shows 10-20W  max.  I also plan on building an ALC circuit for the 
radio to keep it  at 20W or less when on 6M.  The FT-847 has a lot of info 
online  regarding this, its not really interfaced to the amp, its a circuit  
connected to the ALC jack of the radio and then adjusted to keep the  exciter 
at a specific level regardless of the front panel  control.

73,

Scott


----- Original Message -----  
From: "Gary Schafer" <garyschafer@comcast.net>
To: "'KB0NLY'"  <kb0nly@mchsi.com>; <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Friday, March  06, 2009 1:52 PM
Subject: RE: [Amps] A Symptom of Low Bias?


>  Forgot to mention the bias. I don't know what the ZSAC (idle plate 
>  current)
> should be on that tube but it sound in the ball park. Usually  idle current
> will be around 1/3 of full plate current +- depending on  the tube.
>
> 73
> Gary  K4FMX
>
>>  -----Original Message-----
>> From: amps-bounces@contesting.com  [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On
>> Behalf Of  KB0NLY
>> Sent: Friday, March 06, 2009 11:34 AM
>> To:  amps@contesting.com
>> Subject: [Amps] A Symptom of Low  Bias?
>>
>> Still fighting some small bugs in the new amp  this morning, does this
>> sound like a symptom of the bias being too  low??
>>
>> When i key up with no drive the plate idles at  about 90-100mA, and the
>> grid goes slightly negative, just enough  to pull the needle a hash mark
>> width below the zero on the  scale.  As i apply drive the plate comes up 
>> to
>>  about 400mA and the grid starts to come above zero, but i have to
>>  literally YELL on SSB to get the grid to come up and see full output.   I
>> tried some CW on it last night and its making full output  there.  Also at
>> the suggestion of some on here i tried  applying drive on FM and the grid
>> came up to 100mA and the plate  stayed around 400mA yet.
>>
>> So from the info i can find  online, in the handbooks, picking others
>> brains, etc..  It  would seem i still have a bias issue here as its only
>> amplifying  on the voice peaks on SSB.  I dug through my drawers and 
>>  didn't
>> have the parts to do the mod for higher bias on the Triode  Board so i
>> ordered some zeners from Mouser today and i will get  that done when they
>> arrive and see if i can further adjust the  bias and get the idle current
>> down some more as  well.
>>
>> What do you guys think??  Starting to  realize once again why i like
>> building stuff, learning is  fun!
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>  Scott
>>
>>
>>
>>  _______________________________________________
>> Amps mailing  list
>> Amps@contesting.com
>>  http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>


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