3-500Z amps
Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 9:37 pm
Is there any manufacturer of quality 3-500 amplifiers?
The answer depends on what you consider a quality amp?
Are you looking for one that can handle 1500 watts out keydown in an RTTY contest? Then the answer is, "NO !"
If you are looking for a great little amp that can be used in a contest for CW or SSB, then the answer is, "YES !"
Ameritron AL-82 does a nice job. If you don't need more than 800 watts out for day to day use, the Ameritron AL-80B also does a nice job.
I home brew my own amps but have owned an original AL-80 and still have my SB-1000 ( AL-80A clone ) and both worked / work great.
Without hammering the grids on the SB-1000 I can get around 800 watts out on most bands. I love that little amp.
The problem you can run into when it comes to 3-500 tubes is, "Quality of the tube !"
The 3-500 tube still gives you the most bang for the buck but it's getting harder and harder to find a quality tube.
Good luck,
Barry, KU3X
www.ku3x.net