Introduction
Tube amplifiers are a popular project among hams. Many hams like the challenging of hunting for parts to build a high quality amplifier out of inexpensive surplus parts. Keep in mind that the before 1982, the FCC regulated hams according to input power, so when hams talk about a 1kW amplifier, they are referring to 1kW input, not output. Few of the older amplifiers will handle the modern legal limit of 1.5kW.
Articles
- Using Solid-State Transceivers With Older Tube Amplifiers
A collection of Hints and Kinks from the pages of QST - How to Test and Align a Linear Amplifier
QST May 1952, pp. 39-43, 128
Alignment procedure for an old tube type SSB amplifier. - How To Run Your (Tube Type - Ed.) Linear
QST November 1962, pp. 11-14
What it can do and what it shouldn’t do. - A Single 6146 Amplifier (one 6146, 70-90 watts)
ARRL Handbook 1959, pp. 196-198 - An All-Purpose 813 Amplifier (one 813)
ARRL Handbook 1959, pp. 199-201 - A Compact 650-Watt Amplifier (two 4X250B)
ARRL Handbook 1959, pp. 205-209 - 4-250-A's in a 1-Kw. Final (two 4-250A)
ARRL Handbook 1959, pp. 210-214 - A High-Power grounded-Grid Amplifier and Power Supply (one 3-1000Z)
ARRL Handbook 1968, pp. 199-204 - One-Band Kilowatt Amplifiers (two 813)
ARRL Handbook 1968, pp. 195-198 - A Compact 3-400Z Grounded-Grid Amplifier (one 3-400Z)
ARRL Handbook 1968, pp. 191-194 - An 811-A 200-Watt Grounded-Grid Linear Amplifier (one 811-A)
ARRL Handbook 1968, pp. 187-190 - Using 2 3-500ZS In grounded Grid
ARRL Handbook 1971, pp. 201-204 - A One-Kilowatt Amplifier Using A 3-500Z
ARRL Handbook 1972, pp. 182-186 - The SS-2000 Amplifier (one 3-1000Z)
ARRL Handbook 1972, pp. 178-182 - A Sweep-Tube Linear Amplifier (four 6KD6)
ARRL Handbook 1972, pp. 176-178 - A 160-Meter Amplifier (two 572-B)
ARRL Handbook 1978, pp. 184-186 - A Conduction-Cooled Two-Kilowatt Amplifier (two 8873)
ARRL Handbook 1978, pp. 186-190 - A Two-Kilowatt Amplifier Using the Eimac 8877 Triode (one 8877 or 3CX1500)
ARRL Handbook 1978, pp. 190-195 - 1500-W-Output Amplifier for 160 Meters (3CX1500A7)
ARRL Handbook 1990, pp. 30-46 to 30-49 - A Legal-Limit Amplifier for 160 through 10 Meters (8877)
ARRL Handbook 1990, pp. 30-50 to 30-57 - A 160- to 10-Meter Amplifier Using the 3CX1200A7
ARRL Handbook 1990, pp. 30-58 to 30-63 - The LKA-1 Linear Amplifier (two 4CX250B)
QST June 1975, pp. 39-43, 158 - A Table-Top Half Kilowatt (two 811A)
QST January 1960, pp. 24-27, 156, 158 - The RCC 230-L Amplifier (two 807s, 230 watts)
QST February 1963, pp. 29-32 - A Compact High-Power Linear (four 811A)
QST June 1961, pp. 11-14 - An 800-Watt P.E.P. Input Linear (two 7094)
Web Links
- Bill Beech, NJ7P has a tube database on his web site.
- Comprehensive Transmitting Tube Data
1988 Handbook Base Diagrams and Data -
Ian White, GM3SEK, sells kits for tube control and protection. They are of particular interest to hams building tetrode amplifiers, which have more complicated biasing circuits than grounded grid triodes.
Technology >> Radio Technology Topics >> Technical Specialties >> Building Equipment >> RF Power Amplifiers >> HF Tube Amplifiers