Amps
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [Amps] Need Smarter Than I Am Help.

To: gudguyham <gudguyham@aol.com>, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo@gmail.com>, "amps@contesting.com" <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Need Smarter Than I Am Help.
From: Joe <nss@mwt.net>
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2021 11:54:03 -0500
List-post: <mailto:amps@contesting.com>
Thanks for the lead!

Now can anyone scan those page(s) and e mail them to me?

I do not have access to any of the Handbooks.  I had the CD version, but can not seem to find it.

Joe WB9SBD

On 10/11/2021 10:26 AM, gudguyham wrote:
As far as Q, most ARRL handbooks have charts based on plate impedance and show C1 L C2 values for a Q of around 10-12.  Look at the chart that fits your plate impedance.  Set C1 and C2 to the values on the bands and adjust L for maximum output or a peak in output at those settings.  When you find the peak for L that is where you want L to be.  Then tweak C1 and C2 for maximum output, they should only need a small tweak.  Note the L setting.  Your Q will be very close to 10-12 that way. Q is not overly important unless it’s totally out of the realm of reality.  Too many stress out about this.  Most amps believe it or not take whatever Q they can get on the lowest and highest band and leave it at that.  Some amps suck big time on the high and low ends.  The best 3-500 amp I’ve seen with very good low and high band operation is the Kenwood 922.  Worst I’ve seen is Ten Tec Centurian.  The 922 is miles ahead of anything in its class.


Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS <https://apps.apple.com/us/app/aol-news-email-weather-video/id646100661>

On Monday, October 11, 2021, 10:34 AM, Joe <nss@mwt.net> wrote:

    This IS a valid question.

    I am not sure about others, In my case it was 90% Cost. With side
    effect
    benefits.

    I knew that for high duty cycle modes you should run this amp at
    reduced
    power.

    I was using the SB-220 at 500 watts output in a RTTY contest. But I
    guess even that low was not low enough for about 4 hours into the
    contest the magic smoke that makes this stuff work escaped from
    the HV
    transformer.

    Shopping around for a replacement transformer gave me a major case of
    sticker shock. I bet the cost of all the replacements I was
    finding was
    close to the cost of the AMP when it was bought new! I was ready to
    either shelf the amp or sell it.

    Then thought, well voltage is voltage, is there anything else out
    there
    that can make the same or similar voltages and would work.

    And there is, Yes it is considerably larger than the original
    transformer, so it required some modifications of the chassis of
    the amp
    to allow it to fit. But it does fit. Barely!

    And it cost 25% of what all the replacement transformers were wanting.

    And yes with the raised voltage and the cost savings I decided to
    make
    changes to the whole HV section too. Changed to safely handle the new
    parameters. Whole new caps and resistors, New Harbach HV board
    etc. I do
    not know if it is the new cap bank, or the transformer itself, but
    it is
    incredibly stiff compared to the stock one that was in there. The HV
    voltage drop from no load to max out is not even 100 volts! like
    3700 no
    load to 3600 at 2Kw.

    The AMP runs stone cold, it is HARD I mean HARD to get the plates to
    even turn red, never mind the orange that people say it should
    often do
    to "Getter". At 1500 Watts OUT, Even with it transmitting a dead
    carrier, after minutes of making RF, the plates were still gray.
    At 2Kw+
    out, during a normal like Sweepstakes exchange of length, you may get
    some Red plates. Orange needs the same 2Kw AT A SOLID CARRIER for
    about
    a solid minute to get to the orange state.

    Yes the output network needs work. Unless I run 1400+ watts all the
    time. Then the network runs fine!
    I have learned that I need more "L"
    But that is a work in progress.
    Trying to find good new taps was a pain. So in the amp now is a 18uH
    roller inductor.
    So now the only thing the output bandswitch is now doing is add
    that cap
    when on 80 meters.

    Now I am still lost when it comes to this "Q" thing.

    And what are the optimal settings for this network. That roller
    changes
    everything.

    I can get a perfect 1 to 1 match, with the Plate cap at absolute
    minimum
    meshed state, and I also can get a perfect match, with the cap
    like 50%
    meshed, like where it would be normally on 40 meters, but still on
    ten.
    By the roller being in a different place. And of course anywhere
    in-between.

    I am learning this combo of different values of plate cap and the
    inductor, is what determines the level of that mysterious "Q" but
    then
    again I may be wrong here.

    The AMP is like 99% ready to be put into service,. Just need the help
    with this "Q" Stuff, and to discover what to do with the plate cap
    and
    "L" values for optimal performance.

    Joe WB9SBD

    On 10/11/2021 4:49 AM, Rob Atkinson wrote:
    > Why do some of you guys want to jack up the plate v. on your 3-500s?
    > The power difference won't be noticed and you'll create a cascade of
    > problems.  You still have the same plate dissipation and plate
    current
    > limits.  The pi network won't work, the DC blocking caps may become
    > marginal, the power supply filter cap bank may get stressed and the
    > IMD spec. gets worse.  If you want to jack up the B+ get a 3-1000Z.
    >
    > 73
    >
    > Rob
    > K5UJ
    > _______________________________________________
    > Amps mailing list
    > Amps@contesting.com <mailto:Amps@contesting.com>
    > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
    <http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps>

    >

    _______________________________________________
    Amps mailing list
    Amps@contesting.com <mailto:Amps@contesting.com>
    http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
    <http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps>


_______________________________________________
Amps mailing list
Amps@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>