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SWEET 16 ON EBAY?

Sonar

Sr. Member
Apr 8, 2016
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I've come to the realization that I'd like to retire my phantom and move to a transistorized amp.
The sweet 16 I'm considering has 8 DHI 2879's.
This is a brand new amp. The seller offers upgrades. I have yet to question the seller about those upgrades as I'm sure many of you know what the they are are, and which one's are a must..
I guess my question's to y'all is should I consider this amp?
My plan is to power the amp with two mega watt power supplies.
The only transistorized amps I've ever owned were the Palomar/boomer/super star 4 x 1446 base amp. I actually owned four of them at one time (got them for free) and still have one. I use it now and then in order to keep the jucies flowing, and even though it's poorly made, and has a bad rep it actually works fine. For the longest time I bought into the idea that tube amps offer a softer better quality audio, but I get excellent audio reports when using this "Palomar". No one ever noticed the difference when switching from the Palomar 300a to the "Palomar" 4 x 1446.
I'm thinking I'd use my Palomar 300 a to drive the sweet sixteen, or whichever transistorized amp I wind up with. Unless of course it's a low drive amp. In the case of this sweet sixteen it's straight 8 and requires a driver. Is the sweet sixteen sold on eBay an amp I should stay away from? If so why? If not what upgrades should I consider?
I'm assuming those upgrades are transistor type, amount of fans, and a SSB delay. The transistorized amp I eventually purchase will be used with a uniden madiison variable output knob from 1 - 4 Watts dead key. Any amps I used in the past three years were driven with no more than 2 Watts 18 - 20 pep
My reason for considering a transistorized amp is tube availability or lack of, high price of sweep tubes, age of the tube amps I own, and lack of people working on them. Any input and or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 73's and God bless all.
 
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Yes. But be very wary who you buy one from if you do decide to do that. JMHO. There is a forum member here that may be able to help you. I am not going to spread his name as IDK if he wants that. He may pop up and respond to a post. But he is good and knows his stuff. Anyhow. Like I said. Just be wary of who you buy an LDMOS amp from!! JMHO like I said before. Yes they are available on eBay and some have been using their boards to build amps and throw their brand on it, but don't know if they are worth a shit!!! I'll leave it at that!! Good luck with whatever you decide.
73 and God Bless.
 
IMO, I would steer clear of the DEI powered stuff. Hold out for genuine Toshiba parts or think of looking at a twin 3-500z tube box. So many to choose from. Or step up to a 3cx - 4cx steel/ceramic tube set up maybe?

Really depends on your budget and your availability of 30 amps of 240 VAC in your shack.

BIG AMP= ($)$$$
 
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Yes. But be very wary who you buy one from if you do decide to do that. JMHO. There is a forum member here that may be able to help you. I am not going to spread his name as IDK if he wants that. He may pop up and respond to a post. But he is good and knows his stuff. Anyhow. Like I said. Just be wary of who you buy an LDMOS amp from!! JMHO like I said before. Yes they are available on eBay and some have been using their boards to build amps and throw their brand on it, but don't know if they are worth a shit!!! I'll leave it at that!! Good luck with whatever you decide.
73 and God Bless.
I'm in no rush. I think im going to poat a question about possibly installing a real transmitting tube in this phantom. Maybe a 250b or the like. Their fairly cheap and avavalible brand new. Im mot sure what these phantom transformers can operate or how much work and modifying is involved, but ive seen a cx150 in a maverick. I feel kinda bad that so many people especially 357 tried helping me to get this amp working at its max output and correct capacitance, but i think its best left up tp the professionals. That doesn't mean im not inerested in a trasistorized amp. I'd like to get a nice 2 x 4 or 2 x 6. Even though i haven't had the chance to get on the air in a while i will use the phantom as it is. Ive been using it this way for some time and besides the low outp it works, and certainly gets me out. Thanks. 73.ps if any know whats involved in such a tube swap mod please share.
 
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