PRO and CON

By Dave Russell, W2DMR

Forest Cummings, W5LQU

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RF Drive PA AC?

ALC

Cooling

AC Power PS

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Vacuum Tube
High impedance – high voltage – danger!
Tuned network – PI – 3:1 VSWR – No Coupler
Two versions – Grid Driven /low drive
Grounded Grid/high drive

Solid State
Low impedance – high current
Fixed tuning – 50 ohms – max VSWR 2:1
Two versions – Bipolar Junction Transistors
Field Effect Transistors

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Rated Power Output – Efficiency
Class C – Class AB1
Max allowable VSWR
Modes – SSB – CW – Digital – RTTY
Plate Voltage – Collector Voltage
Static Current
Max Full Load Plate/Collector current
Tuning Required – Network/Antenna Coupler
Drive required
Cooling required – Blower
ALC provided
Input AC power – 120v/240v

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TRIODES  TETRODES
811 A 25.00 4 X 150 ?
572 B 50.00 4 CX 250 B 185.00
3-500 Z 189.00 4 CX 350 B 190.04
3 CX 800 A7 850.00 4 CX 400B 350.00
3-1000 Z 850.00 4 CX 1000 A 600.00
3 CX 1200 A7 ? 4 CX 1500 B 1275.00
3 CX 1500 A7 950.00 4 CX 1600 B ?

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Power Out – Splatter - Distortion

RF drive – splatter – grid damage - distortion

ALC – too much – pumping - distortion
Neutralizing – instability – parasites
Low line voltage
Cooling – RTTY – voice/CW
Filament Voltage – tube life – low emission - low output
Incorrect Loading – distortion
Incorrect Static current (bias) - distortion

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Watts S units dB

1500w S9 +12
800 w S 8.5 +9
400w S8 +6
100w S7 0dB ref
25w S6 -6
5w S5 -13
1w S4 -20

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 DIPOLE ANTENNA

100 WATT TRANSCEIVER

11 300W
CPLR

0dB Reference

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 DIPOLE ANTENNA
240 VAC

1500 W
100 WATT TRANSCEIVER
11 POWER 1500W
AMP CPLR

+12dB
(2 S units)

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AL-811H AL-80B AL-1500
4-811A Tubes 3-500Z Tube 3CX1500A7 (8827)
800 w output 1000w output 1500w output
120 vac 120/240 vac 240 vac
$799 $1329 $3349
Tube cost $90 Tube cost $189 Tube cost $1275

Antenna Coupler
MFJ 989D
1500w
50 ohm Dummy Load
SWR Meter
4:1 Balun
6 position switch
$390
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Cushcraft 3 element tribander (20-15-10m) 8dBi/25dB fb $549

Hygain 3 element tribander (20-15-10m) 8dBi/25 dB fb $419

40 foot tower $669

50 foot tower $939

Rotator HAM – IV $589

Total cost = $1677 to $2077

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100w 800 watts
3 element beam AL-811 PA
40 foot tower MFJ 989D Ant Cplr
HAM-IV Rotator 40 foot tower
6dB increase in ERP 3 element beam
6dB increase in HAM-IV Rotator
received signal 15 dB increase in ERP
10/20 dB less QRM 6dB in receive
Cost = $1707 10/20 dB less QRM
Cost = $2896

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AL-1500 Power Amplifier
MFJ989D Antenna Coupler
3 Element Triband Beam
40 foot tower
HAM-IV Rotator
240 vac service
18dB increase in ERP
6dB increase in Receive
10/20 dB less QRM
Cost = $5646

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•Power Amplifiers can give maximum ERP
•PA s really help on DX pileups and contests
•PA s don’t help the received signal or QRM
•Power Amplifiers are very expensive
•Power Amplifiers are dangerous (high voltage)
•Over about 800 watts you need 240 vac line
•HI Power Antenna Couplers and Dummy Loads
are required

Antennas help both TX and RX signals

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SPEND YOUR MONEY ON
YOUR ANTENNA FIRST,

THEN GO ON TO A
POWER AMPLIFIER !
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