Looking for amplifier options for SSB (10-12)m

[Chris120]

Hi, I am a SSB user on 11 meters. Soon getting license for other bands. I am looking for a good clean amp for use with SSB. What would be a good option? My current radio is an Anytone 6666. I have my eyes set on the Texas Star DX1600. My question is, is the 1600 clean on SSB or would I be wasting my time? I would throttle it back to 4-500W out or so. I am leaning towards the 1600 so I can loaf it at 500 and keep things cool. 13v input and consider it done. I am also looking at tubers. It's a shame the 811A and 572B are chinese junk these days. Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Road Squawker]

keep the 1600 off the Amateur bands


...and put your effort in a good antenna

 

[Chris120]

keep the 1600 off the Amateur bands


...and put your effort in a good antenna

My problem is I am right against the side of a hill. Running an Imax at 30'. Back to the original question now..

 

[Dmans]

Amertitron Al-82B. Will work on the other bands when you get licensed and will have a much cleaner output.

And get a better antenna!

73
David

 

[Chris120]

Amertitron Al-82B. Will work on the other bands when you get licensed and will have a much cleaner output.

And get a better antenna!

73
David

I am also leaning towards a higher end Ameritron. How do you feel about the AL-80B?

 

[Big Kahuna]

I always glance at this graph when I start thinking about running more power - http://cbradiomagazine.com/power-in-perspective/ It's just a basic guide but you'll quickly get the idea that a Texas Star 1600 is overkill.

 

[Chris120]

I always glance at this graph when I start thinking about running more power - http://cbradiomagazine.com/power-in-perspective/ It's just a basic guide but you'll quickly get the idea that a Texas Star 1600 is overkill.

I agree it is overkill but I don't want to drive it hard. I might consider the 500v. Run it at 400 with a fan. Hope it lasts.

 

[W4KVW]

Hi, I am a SSB user on 11 meters. Soon getting license for other bands. I am looking for a good clean amp for use with SSB. What would be a good option? My current radio is an Anytone 6666. I have my eyes set on the Texas Star DX1600. My question is, is the 1600 clean on SSB or would I be wasting my time? I would throttle it back to 4-500W out or so. I am leaning towards the 1600 so I can loaf it at 500 and keep things cool. 13v input and consider it done. I am also looking at tubers. It's a shame the 811A and 572B are chinese junk these days. Any suggestions or input would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

No such thing as a Clean CB Amplifier in my opinion.You can see them buckshotting & splattering all over the band on a band scope no matter what band they are on.I hear & see them all of the time on the band scope on my ICOM 7600 & they stick out like a sore thumb.It's my opinion that if you are going to use the Amateur Bands then use a Legal station & respect the rules.Nobody cares on 11 meters (It's Obvious) but I'd like to think that the Amateur Bands are different.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[W4KVW]

I am also leaning towards a higher end Ameritron. How do you feel about the AL-80B?

Very reliable little amplifiers.The 3-500 is a good tube as well.The Heathkit SB-220 & Kenwood TL-922A are two more very good amplifiers.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[W4KVW]

Amertitron Al-82B. Will work on the other bands when you get licensed and will have a much cleaner output.

And get a better antenna!

73
David

That would be an AL-82 or maybe an AL-80B both are good amps.

SIX-SHOOTER

 

[Chris120]

That would be an AL-82 or maybe an AL-80B both are good amps.

SIX-SHOOTER

Yes those are nice amps. I just talk with a local group on 27.335 lowerside. Good clean group of guys. I just need a few extra Ws in the wire to get to the stations over the mountain. The problem is not everyone in our group has horizontal beams (including myself). So I figured a few extra clean watts won't hurt nobody.

 

[nomadradio]

Used to daydream about selling an amplifier that had a power meter in the input side. An idiot light would come on that says "You're clean" when the drive power was 2/3 full throttle or less. Would light up one next to it that says "Your'e not" when that level was exceeded.

Whatever power you see claimed for a Texas Star for AM you should expect between half and 2/3 that much on sideband if you want to preserve the audio quality.

73

 

[Chris120]

Very reliable little amplifiers.The 3-500 is a good tube as well.The Heathkit SB-220 & Kenwood TL-922A are two more very good amplifiers.

SIX-SHOOTER

What is your opinion on the 811H?

 

[Road Squawker]

What is your opinion on the 811H?

The 811/811h is probably the most used amp by all Amateurs.

solid design when the user doesn't drive the snot out of it , trying to get 800 watts out of a 4-500 watt amp.

I used one for many years before I changed to a THP ($$) amp.

 

[ExitThirteen]

Nothing wrong with running a DX1600, if you're planning on just loafing it at 500W or so. Running it there will keep it in the class AB region, as you won't be generating much heat. Buy a fan kit for it, with a good power supply and you're good to go. I ran a DX1200 Hot Plate with a modified Cobra 148GTL on 10M all the time when I was a ham years ago, and always got unsolicited compliments on my audio. Just don't tell them what you're running, and you'll be fine.

An Ameritron AL811H is a good amp, and will also work nicely loafing it at 500W, but tubes are a little fragile, so you do have to be a little more mindful when tuning the amp. The AL80B is probably the best bang out there, and will also play nicely at 500W as well, and will last a very long time at that wattage.

For ease of operation, go with a DX1600, for getting something that you'll be able to use on multiple ham bands if you decide to get your general or extra class, go with the AL-80B.

Just my .02.

~Cheers~