HOPPERBUILT AMPS

[lonestarbandit]

Hey all,

Just figured I saw a dave made page and a Carl built page so Hopper should get one too.
Ive got a straight 4 base amp from him biased for class "B" with preamp delete.
Been extremely happy with it. It has 3 switchers (p/s) in it @14.5v and she does around 750-800 band and mode depending off a 2950CD I screwdrivered myself from new. I usually run the RCI at half throttle into the box.
Nates work looks quality and he always got back to me and my questions while the build was ongoing.
The performance is what I expected and am satisfied with his product some months in to ownership.
All this said I also don't run everything full whack from compression mic to radio drive etc I attempt to sound as good as possible vs total max output so maybe that has something to do with my satisfaction is reasonable expectation. I didnt expect 1000 watts as I'm not driving the amp to within an inch of its life.
Anyway all told I think Nate "Hopperbuilt" puts out a great quality product and is a pleasure to deal with. If I decide I need to step to an 8 pill hes who I would call. Yes the danger stucker was my addition, toungue in cheek joke to myself as I used to run tubers years ago and damn near did almost kill myself when I failed to properly discharge my PDX400 before working on it.

Just my 2 cents.

Lone

 

[ForestRunner98]

Was looking at a Hopper 2 pill with SSB!!

 

[magnuman]

Outside looks good. What's inside it?

 

[lonestarbandit]

4x HG 2879s W class B bias. 3x 34amp switchers. my box is at 14.5v vs 15v bit I'm good with that not trying for absolute wring every last watt of maximum power. This will be on 3 element delta hopefully by tomorrow evening which on running on 800 vs 1000 wont make any difference and aids longevity to be loafing.

Hopper has a box like this on youtube for an inside look.

 

[groundwire]

nate has changed. he used to be cool when he started. he ripped me off and did not/will not make it right. i waited one year for my second 32 pill from him (ridiculous) then he sent it in a used, soft, undersized box, hardly any packing at all and the amp arrived completely destroyed. he just keeps giving me the run around. i cannot and will not recommend hopper built products to anyone.

 

[TIN_CAN]

nate has changed. he used to be cool when he started. he ripped me off and did not/will not make it right. i waited one year for my second 32 pill from him (ridiculous) then he sent it in a used, soft, undersized box, hardly any packing at all and the amp arrived completely destroyed. he just keeps giving me the run around.

Thats too bad, I bought a little 6 pill from him a few years back and was ok to deal with then.

 

[linearone]

Meh

 

[groundwire]

Thats too bad, I bought a little 6 pill from him a few years back and was ok to deal with then.

he is on the sellers blacklist now by like 4 or 5 people in the last couple months for poor selling practices and poor build quality. like alot of folks now, im done with that guy.

 

[lonestarbandit]

he is on the sellers blacklist now by like 4 or 5 people in the last couple months for poor selling practices and poor build quality. like alot of folks now, im done with that guy.

That's unfortunant to hear. He was a cool cat back when I bought from him.

 

[9C1Driver]

I had to chuckle at this. Says he's getting 750-800 out of four 2879 HG's.....................and then says, "I'm good with that not trying for absolute wring every last watt of maximum power".

 

[lonestarbandit]

I had to chuckle at this. Says he's getting 750-800 out of four 2879 HG's.....................and then says, "I'm good with that not trying for absolute wring every last watt of maximum power".

Even so, a picture is worth a 1000 words yes? I'm not driving it that hard with the president doing 40 or 50 pep and deadkeying about 8 watts, Depending which meter you like better and the amp has a low pass filter on it before both meters. All numbers are relative and the MFJ digital is clearly generous 730ish vs the Dosy showing about 520 on pep setting. Both meters were purchased new and no golden screwdrivers have been inside. Only thing I could do differently is buy a bird 43 or a fancy meter like NightThumper has for 1kUSD (which I prefer as I am getting older and those big digital screens are easy on the eyes - maybe a gift to myself next year when trucks paid off) I can only go off what I can see. Glad I could provide a laugh

 

[lonestarbandit]

Absolutely could use that LP700 in my life (think thats what he has)

 

[lonestarbandit]

I had to chuckle at this. Says he's getting 750-800 out of four 2879 HG's.....................and then says, "I'm good with that not trying for absolute wring every last watt of maximum power".

Now you've that you've been living in my head rent free overnight regarding the driving wattage, I'll have to open the Lincoln and back the carrier down.
You're probably quite right, despite manufacturer claims, it likely is too much.

 

[Justme]

Lets see, 100 watt specified for 28 MHz, 4 x = 400 watts, les the transformer losses relais etc 350 watt safe envelope to work in at 1:1 SWR.
Yes you can drive them to 500 watts + if you want to see the smoke out of them and costly repairs.
Personally i will never overdrive my HeathkitSB-1000 amp, keeep it in safe mode and run max 700 watts from it.
Want more power? get a larger amp.
Never need more as 100 watts here i get on all continents from 160 to 10, just for fun or 160 the amp gets use.
I rather spend on my antenna's, they also work in receive better, no need for a big mouth and small ears.

 

[lonestarbandit]

Lets see, 100 watt specified for 28 MHz, 4 x = 400 watts, les the transformer losses relais etc 350 watt safe envelope to work in at 1:1 SWR.
Yes you can drive them to 500 watts + if you want to see the smoke out of them and costly repairs.
Personally i will never overdrive my HeathkitSB-1000 amp, keeep it in safe mode and run max 700 watts from it.
Want more power? get a larger amp.
Never need more as 100 watts here i get on all continents from 160 to 10, just for fun or 160 the amp gets use.
I rather spend on my antenna's, they also work in receive better, no need for a big mouth and small ears.

You are correct. I had a MACO VQ3 3 element beam but a storm with a tornado took it out.
Everything just sort of gathered dust last few months till the bug hit me again.
Ordered a smaller, lighter MACO VQ2 and new rotor on the way now. I HAD ears and will again shortly. I know the rejection isn't the greatest with the VQs, but I loved the VQ3 hope to love the VQ2.
I'll lose some performance but rotor costs are insane for a good one that could support that VQ3. Box will get a much easier life going forward. VQ3 pieces will go in the garage for now.