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Opinion Please

wizard56

Supporting Member
Oct 17, 2022
10
12
13
SW Pa.
Going to buy a new 1x4 base amp. Don't know what to expect from HG pills. Need opinion on 2290 or 2879 to drive 4 2879;s. Radios are a Galaxy DX959 mod will turn down to 1w, or stock RCI 69 BASE.
 

You asked for opinions......
For durability go with a straight 4 transistor amp.
This will allow for more options with the radio in front of it.
Often part of the drive from the first transistor is bled off anyway, they make more heat, they draw more amps and it is doubtful that the guy in the other end will notice.
Now
If you are trying to milk every watt you can out of the amp then go ahead with the 1x4 with the 2290 driver.

That's my opinion and I am sticking to it.

73
Jeff
 
Thanks guys. Been driving an X-Force 40012 with a Magna Force 100. But the old X-Force quit and the Magna can't last forever. Was looking to save a few bucks but you have reinforced my initial logic.
 
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The 40012 quit?
Let out the smoke or just stopped keying?
That is a fairly good four transistor amp with Toshiba's if it original.
They do have a habit of smoking the bridge rectifiers with the surge of that one big filter cap they used to smooth out the ripple.

73
Jeff
 
No smoke, it's only puts about half power and getting high SWR back to radio. Bought it used like 20 years ago figured I got my money's worth. Time for new equipment.
 
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it's only puts about half power and getting high SWR back to radio.
That sure sounds like something went south with the input matching network on the amp. Could be as simple as a cap, or a burned trace. Are the pills getting full voltage ? If it's not class C and has a bias network it would be worth checking that too....
I have a hunch that it might be much cheaper to fix the X-Force than buy a new amp.

Edit to add: Check the relays in the X-Force. I recently had odd problems with a Palomar amp that included high SWR from the radio, and it turned out to be dirty relay contacts.
 
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If it's not class C and has a bias network it would be worth checking that too..
The model number 400 means 4 Toshiba 2879 transistors and the 12 says biased.
Like a 60012 is six transistors with bias.

The base models used a unregulated power supply that floats at about 19 volts unloaded and pulls down when keyed.


If the 4 Toshiba's are good it is worth the money to fix they are like gold now.

73
Jeff
 
Yea it was built long before Carl left X-Force. If Ido anything with it I'll send it to Him for repair. Just don't know if a unit this old is worth it. Everything has a useful service life and nothing last forever.
 
Yea it was built long before Carl left X-Force. If Ido anything with it I'll send it to Him for repair. Just don't know if a unit this old is worth it. Everything has a useful service life and nothing last forever.
I would contact Carl at Carl Built Amps. Since he built it new just have him fix it. The older amplifiers are so much better. Not a big fan of 1x4 or 2x4 amplifiers. You probably don’t even need the 100 as a driver to be honest.
 

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