I know that you always sort of have to 'allow' for some slight swelling when a story like this gets passed around, and I try to do that. Keeping that in mind, here are some observations that I think I can substantiate about your friend's story.
The cabinetry Is based on HeathKit's stuff. If it isn't 'refurbished' HeathKit, it's a direct copy of it. The face may have been home made, but that's about it. (Forgot to get rid of some of the original paint, too.)
That particular cabinet would barely be adequate for two tubes with the chimneys and blower, never enough for three tubes of that size. That says nothing about the power supply being in the same cabinet. The required power supply to furnish the voltage and current for 4 Kw output from those three tubes wouldn't fit in there if you removed the tubes! (Even assuming that's 4 Kw Pep on SSB, just ain't gonna happen. And that's being very generous.)
Probably more important is that thing is an accident looking for a place to happen. It is not safe in any stretch of the imagination. Just too many things being asked to do things they were never meant to do.
I'm sorry, but that thing was never designed to work in a mobile unless that was a truck that carried an AC power generator for commercial supply, and emergency generator, and a sort of large one too. When your friend got that cell call about the burning antenna, he was VERY lucky it was the whole vehicle!
I really do like a good 'story'! But to be even half way believable it has to have some possibility of happening. You might suggest your friend work on it a little bit more, the story I mean. Forget the amplifier, it isn't worth working on.
- 'Doc
