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Pistonpopper
Junior Member
Username: Pistonpopper

Post Number: 13
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 1:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I am doing some research on used amps, and am just wondering which of these amps is the cleanest for bleedover with the best performance. They are the Palomar 350 Z, Maverick and Phantom 500 base amps. I would really like some input on these amps, and any other suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2447
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 2:29 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

they were aimed at CBers so i doubt there's much difference between 'em. if you can check schematics, or better yet, actually look inside of 'em, see if there is any filtering(big coils) & how much/well done, near output side
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Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 950
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 7:59 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Having a properly tuned transmitter is key to great amp performance regardless of make or model.
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Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1209
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 10:16 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

try looking at some older ham amps. they are much cleaner than any "CB" amp. most can be converted to use on 10 meters.
if you are only choosing between the amps you mentioned; i would find out what tubes, or transistors are used, and go with the one that uses the cheapest most available parts.
also check the actual metal chassis. the one with the most metal inside separating each section is the one that is best sheilded.
are those tube or transistor boxes?
matt
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Pistonpopper
Junior Member
Username: Pistonpopper

Post Number: 14
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 5:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Matt, I am wondering what names of ham amps to look for, since I've not had any experience with them. Not really sure about what size to get, other than the only two criteria being that I want to be as clean as I can, and running an RCI=2980WX with one. As for the above mentioned amps, I believe they are tube style, and also found out that the Phantom is only 200 bucks. That's cheap I think so called the guy that had it, and he told me that the tubes were putting out 50%, what ever that means. He suggested that since the tubes(10) were 5 years old, that I could replace them. But I am inclined to think that if I run a low D>K> into it, it'd last a long time, or at least I'd think so. Am taking the RCI to the tech to have it properly peaked and tuned, with the dead key lowered to 2 wats, instead of 4. Thanks again, and feel free to email me directly if ya'll want to.
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Patzerozero
Senior Member
Username: Patzerozero

Post Number: 2469
Registered: 7-2004


Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 7:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

most REAL ham amps, even the older ones, require some sort of keying circuit to, well, key 'em up. for your 2980, you need to either build a keyimg circuit, or use a hand or footswitch, which becomes messy if you forget to 'step & key' at the same time .

actually, KV, the most popular & easiest to get ahold of, old ham amps, are probably yaesu fl2100 or heath sb220 etc. they were far from clean when new, & replacement tubes tend to offend the neighbors' tvs more then ever. i had a 2100 20 years ago that was serviced & tuned up by a factory authorized yaesu shop, & even 200 watts(1/4 or less of max)was NASTY to the neighbors!

5 year old tubes that are 50% is NOT good. that means they were probably abused. assuming he even really checked 'em. if it's the 1 i remember, it was rated at like 1500 watts INPUT, so you'd really see about 1/2 that, or less, output. at 50% left on the tubes, you're talking maybe 300 watts-PEP. i haven't a clue what the 10 tubes would cost to replace, or even how easy they'd be to obtain, or if mods need to be done to use new tubes. unless you're prepared to spend some more bucks on a used tube amp, i'd rethink my plans.

believe it or not, if you got your heart set on tubes, a kl1000 might not be such a bad idea.
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Pistonpopper
Junior Member
Username: Pistonpopper

Post Number: 15
Registered: 1-2006
Posted on Monday, February 20, 2006 - 8:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Maybe I just need to break down and order a new KLV amp from Copper's ? They from what I've heard are relatively free from splatter, and am wondering if a solid state would be cleaner than a tube type? I don't need a lot of power, just enough to give that 2980WX some extra punch over some of the ground clutter sometimes, and to reach those far off distant stations. I think that the Palomar 350 Z might be a cleaner amp than the phantom, and even though I can get one for 300 bucks, it might be worth it in the longrun.
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Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1222
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 12:56 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

oops, forgot about the keying circuit. you could build one; probably not that tough.
i would stay away fromt the older tube CB amps.
i have one that uses 7 tubes and right now they go for about 50-70 a piece! not worth replacing.
dont pay any more than $100 for any of them unless you can verify that the tubes have been recently replaced with new ones.
i agree with pat at this point. while my favorite amp is the Ameritron AL-811 (check it out!)
for your purposes, the KLV1000 is what you want. replacement tubes are cheap too.
the biggest issue with being "clean", is to make sure that you run low pass filters after the radio and after tha amp.
and try to keep the modulation down to 100%. if the radio has been "peaked and tuned" try running the mic gain at 12 o clock and close talk the mic. (2-3" inches away) you'll be surprised at the good radio checks you get!
matt
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 701
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 10:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

KV Said....
"and try to keep the modulation down to 100%"

Chad says...
You just made me laugh :-) The wording.......


Chad
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Hotwire
Advanced Member
Username: Hotwire

Post Number: 974
Registered: 1-2005
Posted on Monday, February 27, 2006 - 11:32 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Pistonpopper,

I have done a lot of research on the KLV 1000's and I bet this is what your looking for and you would be VERY happy you bought one. just my 2 cents 73 CEF491
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Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1243
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 7:18 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

chad, just read your respnse.
now im laughing!

it kinda makes sense even though it really doesnt!
only a CB'er needs to be told to keep anything down to 100%!!!

on the serious side; would there be any advantage as far as bleedover and splatter goes by putting the entire amp in a bigger metal box?
matt
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 708
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Tuesday, February 28, 2006 - 9:21 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

"on the serious side; would there be any advantage as far as bleedover and splatter goes by putting the entire amp in a bigger metal box? "

Nope... but if you put a cheap amp in a solid unobtanuim box that is hermetically sealed all by itself with no connectors in or out, it will NEVER produce harmonics :-)

...Nah it was good advice it just tickled me.

"and try to keep the modulation down to 100%"

I'm tryin' boss, I'm tryin'.

Chad
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Mikefromms
Advanced Member
Username: Mikefromms

Post Number: 857
Registered: 6-2003
Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 11:20 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Texas Star.

Mikefromms
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Kid_vicious
Senior Member
Username: Kid_vicious

Post Number: 1245
Registered: 9-2004
Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 4:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

chad, you know of unobtainium?
did i give you that one?
one of my favorites!
matt
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Chad
Advanced Member
Username: Chad

Post Number: 711
Registered: 11-2004


Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 7:39 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Nope, I heard it somewhere else. Like neet gear that comes out about trade show time that never goes into full production. That's VaporWare, comprised mainly of Unobtanium. :-)

Chad

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