My Centurion's input swr is 2:1 on the low end of 80m. Has anyone seen a way
to improve this? There is no adjustment.
Steve N4LQ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Duane A Calvin" <ac5aa@juno.com>
To: <tentec@contesting.com>
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 12:42 AM
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Orion with - Centurion VS Alpha 91B?
> Lee,
> I have owned both. I had a Centurion for several years, then
> moved to an Alpha 99 (very similar to the 91b except it is built in the
> US and has more US parts in it.) I liked my Centurion a lot, and if
> you're a DXer, expecially a lazy one like I am at times, depending on the
> cluster instead of searching your own DX out, then you will want the
> Centurion with the instant-on 3-500ZG's. I worked a number of DX
> stations while Alpha owners were waiting for that danged "Wait" LED to go
> out! So, why did I switch to the Alpha? I think if one of the tubes
> hadn't failed in my Centurion after 4 years of not-too-heavy use (I
> rarely run over 800W, even with the Alpha), I wouldn't have gotten that
> disappointed feeling. Finding that a new matched pair of the same RF
> Parts tubes cost $250, while a pair of GU-84B's from the guy who sells
> 'em to Alpha was $200 did get me a little bit. Most of them are new/old
> stock Svetlana military tubes. But my reason for moving was the
> perceived higher reliability, long term, of the Alpha. In reality, I'd
> bet they're very similar. Both of my amps failed in the first few weeks
> of use (bias transistor on the Centurion, vacuum relay on the Alpha).
> Both have great service departments. But there's no filament glow on the
> Alpha that the Centurion had. Both are easy to tune and drive. Both are
> quiet, both will work with the Ten-Tec QSK loop in full QSK mode, and
> both run cool (altho the Centurion exhausts heat mostly from the right
> side while the Alpha exhausts it from the top). It's a horse race. If
> the prices were realistic for each, then ask yourself how much you need
> the instant on feature.
>
> 73, Duane
>
>
> On Sat, 12 Jun 2004 21:47:43 EDT Kc9cdt@aol.com writes:
> > I am a happy Orion owner!
> >
> > I am looking to upgrade from a Centaur to either a Centurion or a
> > Alpha 91B.
> >
> > I stopped at TT last week to see / hear / play the Centurion. Very
> > nice,
> > quiet fan, pretty quiet QSK relay noise.
> >
> > Also, I visited my friend that has the 91B for sale (excellant
> > condition) I
> > like the looks, it's pretty quie also, the WSK (Vacuum Relay) seems
> > OK, but
> > maybe a little noisier than the Centurion. AND NOT INSTANT ON ( 2-3
> > minute warm
> > up)
> >
> > Both have cheap tubes and are well made, and have high review
> > marks.
> >
> > They are both nice, but different for sure.
> >
> > I would appreciate any feedback as to what you all think about the
> > two units.
> > I need to decide soon, or the Alpha will be gone. Have been trying
> > to decide
> > for 2 weeks now!!
> >
> > Thanks in advance,
> > 73,
> > Lee, KC9CDT
> > _______________________________________________
> > TenTec mailing list
> > TenTec@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
> >
> >
>
>
> --------------------------------------
> Duane Calvin, AC5AA
> Austin, Texas
>
> http://home.austin.rr.com/ac5aa
> _______________________________________________
> TenTec mailing list
> TenTec@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/tentec
>
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