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Re: [Amps] grounding grids

To: "'Alex Eban'" <alexeban@gmail.com>, "'Ham-amps'" <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] grounding grids
From: "Joe Subich, W4TV" <lists@subich.com>
Reply-to: lists@subich.com
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:49:20 -0400
List-post: <amps@contesting.com">mailto:amps@contesting.com>

> From an RF point of view, the grid is grounded and well,

The Grid is far from "well grounded."  With 220 pF in series, 
the grids are above ground by 25 Ohms (Xc) at 28 MHz and 206 
Ohms (Xc) at 3.5 MHz (the design operating range of the SB-220) 
ignoring the Xl of the long and thin leads on the capacitors 
and the effects (including distributed capacitance and internal 
resonances)) of the RF chokes. 

25 to 200 Ohms is far from "well grounded" and an opportunity 
for oscillation at some frequency.  For a more rigorous analysis 
see: http://www.w8ji.com/vhf_stability.htm 

Again, placing ANY impedance in the grid portion of a "common 
grid" circuit is an invitation to instability and the impedance 
of all grid connections should be minimized.  Eimac's air system 
sockets even include slots to allow the shortest possible strap 
connections from the grids to chassis. 

73, 

   ... Joe, W4TV 
  
 



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Alex Eban [mailto:alexeban@gmail.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 1:29 PM
> To: 'Bill W5WVO'; lists@subich.com; stevengrant98@yahoo.com; 
> 'Ham-amps'
> Subject: RE: [Amps] grounding grids
> 
> 
> ...the key to the stability is the capacitors! From an RF 
> point of view, the grid is grounded and well, since 
> capacitors work well at 6 meters.
> Alex  4Z5KS
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: amps-bounces@contesting.com 
> [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bill W5WVO
> Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 7:58 PM
> To: lists@subich.com; stevengrant98@yahoo.com; 'Ham-amps'
> Subject: Re: [Amps] grounding grids
> 
> Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
> 
> > While the 3-500Z and other older glass tubes don't have
> > as much gain as the newer external anode tubes, the
> > principle is the same.  If there is enough gain and the 
> feedback is of 
> > the correct phase the tube will oscillate. Placing any impedance in 
> > the "grounded" grid of a common grid circuit increases - 
> not decreases 
> > - the chances of oscillation.
> 
> How would you characterize, then, the design of the SB-220, 
> where the 3-500Z
> 
> grids are grounded through RFCs and bypassed by dsk ceramic 
> caps? Particularly 
> since this particular amplifier has been converted to 6m use, 
> but the grid 
> components are still originals from the HF version.
> 
> Would this amplifier be more stable with the grid pins 
> directly grounded to 
> chassis?
> 
> Bill W5WVO
> 
> >
> > 73,
> >
> >    ... Joe, W4TV
> >
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: amps-bounces@contesting.com 
> >> [mailto:amps-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Steven 
> Grant, W4IIV
> >> Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 10:45 AM
> >> To: Herzog; Ham-amps; Bill Fuqua
> >> Subject: Re: [Amps] grounding grids
> >>
> >>
> >> This was used on newer tubes (3-500Z - ect) to raise the 
> resonance of 
> >> the grid to control parasitics. It is not needed for older tubes
> >>
> >> STEVEN GRANT W4IIV
> >>
> >> --- On Wed, 7/29/09, Bill Fuqua <wlfuqu00@uky.edu> wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> From: Bill Fuqua <wlfuqu00@uky.edu>
> >> Subject: Re: [Amps] grounding grids
> >> To: "Herzog" <herzog@frontiernet.net>, "Ham-amps" 
> >> <amps@contesting.com>
> >> Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 9:28 AM
> >>
> >>
> >> Maybe to measure individual grid currents?
> >> That would be the only reason I can think of.
> >> 73
> >> Bill wa4lav
> >>
> >> At 08:35 PM 7/27/2009 -0400, Herzog wrote:
> >>> RE: > >Hi.
> >>>>> This has probable been asked before on this group,but... Is it 
> >>>>> good practice to physically tie the grids to ground via one 
> >>>>> connection,or via low value resistors and decoupling 
> capacitors. I 
> >>>>> was
> >> going to go for VHF
> >>>>> practice and go for direct grounding,but would like
> >> some comments before
> >>>>> progressing this project.
> >>>>> 73`s Jon
> >>>
> >>> REPLY:
> >>>
> >>> I'm curious - what would be the reason for using resistors and 
> >>> decoupling caps?
> >>>
> >>> 73, Bill W6WRT
> >>> ===========================
> >>> Herzog proffers a reason, to be able to measure the grid current. 
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> >>
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> >>
> >>
> >>
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