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Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear

Post Number: 107
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 1:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Just a quick question here on the better setup.

I currently run a Palomar 225 mobile amp on my base setup. I am powering the amp with a 12v battery and an automatic battery charger. Been doing this for years. But lately I have been considering either going with a regulated power supply to run the amp, or possibly going with a base amp. KLV's are OUT. Since I don't like the internals. Been looking at the 300 Boomer on the site. But I want no more than 100-115 watts output. If I go with a power supply, will I get noise hum etc in my transmission etc?

Thanks.
Cuddlebear
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 2078
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 3:57 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cuddlebear,

I run a Regulated Power Supply and have NO HUM in any of the Mobile AMP's that I test or Use off of it.

Just make sure your Power Supply is big enough for the Amp you want to use.

Lon
Tech808
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Leonard
Member
Username: Leonard

Post Number: 55
Registered: 12-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 6:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Lon after reading so many post about amps,I am thinking about getting one for my base.
But,I would like a moble type,I have a tripp lite 30 power supply,but my base is a RCI 2980WX.
I am feeling kinda insecure,I think my radio needs a little viagra *LOL*.
What would be a good amp small amp would work.
If nothing else I could run it in my new car when I get it.(quick disconect type)
I have to admitt I know nothing about amps other than they are bad on certan bands.
I hope BIG brother does not read this post.
73's Len
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 2085
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 6:36 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Leonard,

I would suggest the KL300P with a TP-10-2 Quick Disconnect.

http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodW90-KL300P+

And the TP-10-2 Quick Disconnect f/Mobile Amps.

http://www.copperelectronics.com/cgi-bin/checkitout/checkitout.cgi?catalogSTORE:CKIE:prodW90-30012+

I have used this setup with 1st Sargant's 696F SSB Base for the Sunday CEF Net's with Great result's.

And the Quick Disconnect make's it great for Base or Mobile use.

Just Order "TWO" Quick Disconnect's, so you can leave one on the Power Supply and one for Mobile.

Hope this help's.

Lon
Tech808
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Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear

Post Number: 108
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 7:19 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks Lon,

My other question is this, I'm thinking of going with the 40 or 60 amp Triplite you guy's sell on here for power supplies. The amp will pull only what it needs, so I am correct in stating that if I buy one that is overkill on the amps (in case I want to go bigger amp at a later time) I will not burn up my 225 amp right? I know that may sound like a bit of a dumb question but one power supply says it puts out 32amps continuous.

Thanks Guy's:-)
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 2087
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Thursday, April 08, 2004 - 7:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cuddlebear,

No worry, you will be SAFE and have the Amps / Power for other uses or to run a Larger Mobile AMP.

Lon
Tech808
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Pig040
Intermediate Member
Username: Pig040

Post Number: 373
Registered: 7-2003
Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 10:13 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hey Lon,
Can the KLV amps be modified for other bands, or are they strictly ten/eleven meter?
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Hoskinmage
Junior Member
Username: Hoskinmage

Post Number: 17
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 10:18 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

i hope that someone could help me. i have got a black cat 300 moble amp and i dont realy know much about it. does anyone know if i have to get converted like most amps or is like a palamar? it works fine only when keed up it will swing up to (hi,key 100swing to 225 but here is the problem when it swings it will suddenly stop like when something hits the wall,100 swing 225 the stop sudden.and the mod is loud. i put it in line when i got your voyage, vr9000, and it still do the same thing(what a radio,i faint,best radio ive ordered from ya"ll) as i said it will do it with any radio. i dont think this is normal,can anyone help me?
thanks to coppers tech i ahve one of the best radios i've owned!
keep up the good work
john,crybaby in east ky.
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Bigbob
Senior Member
Username: Bigbob

Post Number: 1799
Registered: 12-2001
Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 8:14 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

PEOPLE should not by watt meters,they cause more problems for people that don't have any,ran an swr meter for years,put in a watt meter man, all kinds of problems after that,from my end but,never stopped the flowers from every body else,a watt meter will play mind games with you,who ever invented them must have been sick and twisted,if your rig sounds great to everybody then it's ok,your watt meter is screwy.
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Tech808
Moderator
Username: Tech808

Post Number: 2100
Registered: 8-2002
Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 8:34 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pig040,

I have never tried to Modify one, but they are a 10 Meter Amp designed for 10 Meter's and will cover 11 Meter's, to jump down to 12 Meter's 21.000 MHz to 21.450 MHz I am not sure.

You would need a good antenna and a good tuner to try it.

My 2995DX cover's 10/11/12 with no problem's useing an R-5 Antenna.

Maybe someone who has tried it can post.

Lon
Tech808
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Kc0gxz
Advanced Member
Username: Kc0gxz

Post Number: 720
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Friday, April 09, 2004 - 11:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hoskinmage

You never mentioned if you are using the amp in a mobile setup of if you are using it as a base setup.

Also, what kind of power are you seeing on SSB and what power transistors are used in this amplifier? A little more information will be helpful.

Jeff, kc0gxz.
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Kc0gxz
Advanced Member
Username: Kc0gxz

Post Number: 721
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 12:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cuddlebear

As a general rule-of-thumb, it's best to go with more power supple than you actually need.

In otherwords, if you have a device that draws around 12 amps, get a supply that will easily handle a amperage draw of 20 Amps. The 20 Amp supply will hardly break a sweat where as a 12 amp supply will be taxed to its limit.

Here's another way to look at it. Your cars' battery is a power supply. Lets say for example that it has a rating of 850 Amps. The reason for such a high rating is so that you don't instantly run the battery down when your starter is engaged. Your starter of course doesn't draw 850 amps, but if it did, you would be taxing the battery-power supply to its limits the instant you turned the key.

The higher the amperage rating a power supply has, the less strain on it. Alwayw go with more power supply than what you need.

Now I have a question for you. What is it about the KLVs that you dislike. They are far easier to work on than a Boomer. In my opinion, the Boomers are nothing more than over-priced combination powersupply/linears where as the KLVs are easier and cheaper to repair.

Using a mobile radio AND linear on the same power supply is not and has never been a great idea. I'm not saying that this combination doesn't work, it just doesn't work well. Sooner or later something is going to give. The power supply has to work very hard and heats up quickly.

You are underestimating the KLVs. They are well designed and manufactured. And lets not forget to mention the fact that you get a lot more BANG for your BUCK. But then, that's only MY opinion.

Choose wisely.

Jeff, kc0gxz.
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Hoskinmage
Junior Member
Username: Hoskinmage

Post Number: 18
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 7:17 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

kcogeme, im running it as a moble and on side ban i usualy get some where around 200 to 250 aand on the low power i get 60 swing to 175-180,med i get 90 swing to about 200 and on high i get about 225. im also running a voyage9000 and it keys (on a varible key)4 swings to 19 and high key is 11 watts swings to 30 to 35.like i said when it swings up to 200 or 225 its like it hits a brick wall,it wont go over. i dont know if its the box i have to convert or if its normal for it to do that. any help would be great.
john
crybaby,in ky.
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Kc0gxz
Advanced Member
Username: Kc0gxz

Post Number: 727
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Saturday, April 10, 2004 - 11:52 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hoskinmage

That's because it possibly HAS hit a brick wall. I don't recall what power transistors are used in this amp but I'm thinking that by the time your amp hits 225-250 watts, it's already maxed out.

There are two changes I would make in your setup.

1- Turn your "lowpower" A/M deadkey down to around 1.5 watts and feed the linear with that.

2- DO NOT hit that amp with any more than 18-20 watts maximum on either A/M or SSB. If you're already getting 225-250 watts out of it, it's probably running at full steam.

Pull the cover off and see what "pills" are being used in that thing. I'd be curious to know.

Jeff, kc0gxz.
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Hoskinmage
Junior Member
Username: Hoskinmage

Post Number: 19
Registered: 3-2002
Posted on Saturday, April 24, 2004 - 7:23 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

sorry i havent post rite away but to answer your question it has 2 sd1446 in my little black cat 300,moble
. this is the first time that i have new. i also hope you can tell me when i got my new radio,vr9000 i had it peaked and tuned by copper,could you tell me if when it was tuned that that was the most i could get out of my radio or is there a "super tune" i could get?
crybaby,in e.ky
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Nomeancity
Junior Member
Username: Nomeancity

Post Number: 29
Registered: 2-2004
Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 12:33 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cuddlebear ,I bought a 52 amp power supply for a Boomer 500 that the original power supply went out on it, & the 52 amp wont hold it on SSB, But works fine on A.M. with swing up to 700 watts.
But, like I said, It wont go over 600 or so on SSB. Then it just kicks off & on. I'm sure a regulated power supply wont hum or buzz on you. My 52 amp Pyramid runs clean as a whistle.,Just a little fan noise. I've radioed 30 years & when I run A mobil amp on a good power supply, Seems to do as good as a base amp.That car battery will work you to death., I know first hand.
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Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear

Post Number: 136
Registered: 3-2002


Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 6:12 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yup,

I have run a car battery and a automatic battery charger for years. Have never had a battery overcharge with it set at 2 amps trickle charge. But lately, I've been running out of room here:-( So I kinda figured instead of having a big 12v battery and a charger sitting by my radio desk I would go a little bit more compact with just one power supply to handle it all. I don't run power at all most of the time, but every once in a while I run my Palomar 225 on it. I never push more than 100 watts. But if I ever decided to go to something bigger I'm not sure if the 60 amp they carry at coppers would be enough. In some respects the battery might be a viable solution to that problem as it will handle darn near anything versus a cutoff of just 60 amps. So, I really don't know right now....

Desicions, Desicions....
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Ozzie
Intermediate Member
Username: Ozzie

Post Number: 182
Registered: 11-2003
Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 8:51 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cuddlebear,
If you prefer to run the battery how about remote locating it (outside) and just run a couple of big wires in to a distribution panel in the shack?? Personally I cannot see you having nay problems with a 60amp supply but battery backup is lawyas nice - just in case.
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Allagator
Intermediate Member
Username: Allagator

Post Number: 259
Registered: 9-2002


Posted on Sunday, April 25, 2004 - 9:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Hoskinmage the Blackcat 300 will do no more than 225 and your lucky to get that much without it getting hot ! mine i run with the Lincoln and have no problems running 200 watt with a 3 watt dead key !!!!!
Allagator
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Nomeancity
Junior Member
Username: Nomeancity

Post Number: 30
Registered: 2-2004
Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 2:50 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Your right bout that Cudddlebear, A battery with a good charge will out do any power supply.Just be careful about the fumes while charging it. especially if there are any children around.
OZZIE has the right idea too,I've run my booster cables through the bedroom window next to my driveway before. Cant get much bigger wiring than that.
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Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear

Post Number: 139
Registered: 3-2002


Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 3:27 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

KCO,

In response to a question you asked me back a bit ago in a post you put above, my answer is this.

I have seen several of these KLV's with meter problems. And alot of them are just dropping right out of the amp. I would think a company could figure out that using a proper mount for these things with a screw plate would work better than some cheap glue. WOW, how much did that glue cost them? And you answered the second question for me, they are cheaper to fix because the parts are cheap. Don't get me wrong, they are a ok amp for just kicking around the airwaves. But I have also seen other amps that are far better quality. Just my 2 cents.

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Dindin
Member
Username: Dindin

Post Number: 78
Registered: 2-2004


Posted on Monday, April 26, 2004 - 10:13 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Cuddlebear,I'll agree with what Ozzie said.having a lead/acid storage battery indoors is asking for trouble.The fumes Nomeancity was refering to are Hydrogen and Oxygen,a very explosive mix!The gasses are generated when the battery is under charge.there is also the danger of spilled acid which can cause severe burns(remember chemestry class?).Leave the battery outdoors and wire it in through a fused disconnect box.
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Cuddlebear
Intermediate Member
Username: Cuddlebear

Post Number: 140
Registered: 3-2002


Posted on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 6:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yup,

I know the dangers involved in this method. That's why I pretty much figure I'll go with the power supply.

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