"Speculating on the merger" is what we are all doing - fun, but probably
mostly wrong.
Amplifier Technology: I throw my hat into the ring with Cecil
There's not a clean transistor amp out there. All the contesters I know who
tried transistorized amps (like me), came back to tubes. The Expert amps
have a nasty habit of dying in contests - not often, but often enough to
paint a clear picture: tubes will be with us for a long time to come.
Tokyo HyPower made bad amps. They didn't like an SWR of more than 1.5:1.
That is unrealistic, especially for portable operations where the goal is to
make as many QSOs as possible, not play with antennas. They were expensive
and useless in contests. Not enough reserve power built into them to handle
the abuse our gear gets in contests.
If you want a reliable transistorized amp, you'll have to build one for 3 or
4 KW and then run it at 1500W. In that case it will be as big as a tube amp
and cost more. What's the point?
The only transistorized amp that really makes since are the ones that can be
run off of 12v and put out about 500w. These are great for mobile and small
portable operations where a couple guys fly off to some Island for some fun.
Larger expeditions that charter boats to get to their islands will still be
using tube amps for a long time to come because they want/need the
reliability (and the power).
All of this is my opinion, of course.
73 - Rick, DJ0IP
(Nr. Frankfurt am Main)
-----Original Message-----
From: TenTec [mailto:tentec-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of k6jek
Sent: Tuesday, May 13, 2014 2:36 AM
To: Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment
Subject: Re: [TenTec] TenTec and Alpha merger not a good thing
Cecil,
I'd bet on the transistors, maybe not now but soon and for the rest of our
lives.
People seem to really like those expensive Italian amplifiers, the Expert
1KFA and now 2KFA. I notice that the use-a-super station-over-the-Internet
service, remotehamradio.com, seems to have them in all their stations. I bet
the Alpha guys are paying attention to that product line, high end, premium
priced, all solid state, seemingly successful.
People seem to also like the Elecraft KPA500 maybe for exactly the reason
you don't like. It's tiny. Only 500 watts, though.
Elecraft demonstrated a 1K solid state amp out here at Pacificon but haven't
brought it to market. Maybe they will yet.
And of course, I'm happy as a clam with my Ten-Tec Hercules II. I'd be happy
as three clams if it were 1500 watts not 500, even though the power supply
takes two men and boy to lift. I actually sold my Titan after I got the
solid state amp. They are just so quick and easy and quiet. And they don't
heat up the shack leaving that task to my many, old boat anchor pieces.
Now that I only have 500 watts instead of 1500 I have to speak more loudly
into the microphone and push the CW key just a little harder.
Jon
On May 12, 2014, at 5:03 PM, Cecil wrote:
> Been a year since you owned a Ten-Tec product but you remain a member of
the list...strange.
>
> And I do disagree with you on several points. You sold the best SDR with
a front panel radio when you sold the OII. Yea you can't hold it in the
palm of your hand....don't know many folks really looking for that...except
QRP ops and back packers...tiny market.
>
> As far as amps...why couldn't Tokyo Hypower build a successful 1k+
amp...why doesn't Elecraft build a reliable, successful 1k+ amp....and how
about Acom...all tubes....because it's costly and it's hard to compete with
tubes. Besides everyone knows real...serious amps use tubes....and there is
really no good reason they shouldn't.
>
> I wouldn't trade my OII and Centurion even for a K3 and their 500w SS
amp....don't like tiny radios.
>
> No flames...just another opinion....
>
> Cecil
> K5DL
>
> Sent from my iPad
>
>> On May 12, 2014, at 1:20 PM, Chuck Gerarden <cgerarden@atomix.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>> As an owner of TenTec (and Alpha) gear for many years, some bad and
>> some good,I think this merger may not save the dysfunctional
>> company/brand that TT has become. They have designed nothing
>> innovative since the Orion..
>> They seem to just repackage old technology into new boxes at a higher
>> and higher price. TT is only alive at this point because they can
>> generate service revenue. I don't know anyone buying their products.
>> Do you?
>> The new SSB Ardino QRP radio sounds like a desperate move IMHO.
>> Elecraft has simply eaten TT lunch the past 5+ years and TT never
>> responded to their competition. I sold the last of my TT gear (Orion
>> II) a year ago, just a month before the Orion II was discontinued.
>> The TT acquisition may simply drag down the Alpha brand with the TT
>> brand. Here are a few questionsfor both companies:
>> 1. Why can't Alpha build a relaible 1KW+ solid state amp?
>> 2. Why can't TT build a good SDR transceiver with a front panel (Like
>> a KX3)?
>> These are 2 products many friends of mine have indicated they would
>> like to buy. Neither one of these companies has innovated anything
>> new for a long time. Sure an Alpha 9500 with 5 microprocessors can
>> output 1.5 KW with a brick on the key, but can't keep from
>> faultingwhen the wind blows hard.
>> Unless both these companies come up with some new and leading edge
>> products, I think both are toast. As a brandI take seriously, TT is
>> no longer on my list. Please no flames, these are my OPINIONS. You
>> are welcome to express yours too.
>> ChuckW0DLE
>>
>>
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