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Anyone retrofit an older base Amp case with solid state?

Don_Q

New Member
Nov 23, 2016
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With tubes getting harder to find I was wondering if anyone has retrofitted solid state into an older base station style amplifier (lets say a Palomar 300)? Did you use the existing power supply transformer? With the size of that case I think it would have plenty of real estate for putting in 6 pills. The reason I ask is that I like the look of the older (vintage?) amps, but want the reliability of the newer solid state hardware.
 
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It can be done. Just need to pull the High Voltage power supply for the tube amp and put a low voltage power supply like a Megawatt 12 volt. You could probably sell the parts for the tube amp on eBay or at a ham fest. You can put a lot of transistor power inside some of the tube amps I have seen.
Some thing else you can consider is changing the tube type you are using to a more modern tube that is being used in some BODACIOUS base amps.
 
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would swapping out tubes also need to swap out the sockets? I am guessing a almost a whole retrofit to accommodate the modern tubes... Interesting!
 
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Maybe. You might have to just rewire the plugs if they are the right socket pattern.
I went to eBay and checked out the tubes and there is a huge supply of RF power tubes.
 
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The amp in question has burn marks under the tube sockets and doesn't turn on, I will have to figure out how to fix that, maybe rewire the board? This will be a project in the near future.
 
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If your wanting to go from tubes to say 2290's, 2879's, or even mosfets then yes, the entire guts will have to be rebuilt. Kinda like taking a Ford F150 4x4 and wanting to "convert" it to a front wheel drive eco tech 4cylinder engine and drivetrain.
 
FW1_zpsad1iei1j.png

The amp in question has burn marks under the tube sockets and doesn't turn on, I will have to figure out how to fix that, maybe rewire the board? This will be a project in the near future.
Take some pictures of the inside and let's see what you have there.
 
Tubes are 30KD6. See pics with the tube sockets (looks burned), I was thinking of using the powersupply on the left side to power 4-6 pills on the right side. Will also add fans to the case for cooling. ideas?

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Take all of the tube parts out carefully including the transformer and store them so you can sell them once you are happy with the result. Those power transformers cost a bunch of money, and easily be sold for parts. PCB's too.
Put in a Megawatt power supply and drop in the amplifier of your choice.

What type of radio do you use?
 
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Take all of the tube parts out carefully including the transformer and store them so you can sell them once you are happy with the result. Those power transformers cost a bunch of money, and easily be sold for parts. PCB's too.
Put in a Megawatt power supply and drop in the amplifier of your choice.

What type of radio do you use?
Right now its a Cobra 2010 GTL. Gonna upgrade to a Stryker 955HP or something like it. If I can find the equivalent to that Stryker in a base form I would be much more happy. Whatever I get I will have to adjust it for that linear or just get another which can take higher wattage (which I have but also needs repair).

I have to measure the interior of the case and see if I can get a megawatt in there, Obviously I want the biggest one I can find so I can then also get the most wattage (transistor wise). The other issue is I would like to keep as many of the dials/switches in the case operational, I want the old time look with newer technology. Since this is my first time messing with this I will have to do TONS of research and pinging the pros for ideas.
 
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