Copper Talk » Ask The Tech » Amplifiers » Transistor amps compared to tube type; what is the difference? « Previous Next »

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Bassbug
Posted on Monday, June 30, 2003 - 10:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have a twenty year old texas star dx 600 moble with four mrf 455 transistors. I had always had problems with the match being just a little high when the amplifier was kicked on, even with a one point three match on the radio. When the amplifier was was kick on the match would jump up to a one point eight. My question is this, I am very familiar with tube type amps, especially ham type that used 3-500z tubes. You had to make sure that your amps was retuned as you moved to other channels by retouching up the plate and load nobs. What is it about these transitor based amplifiers? There seems to be no adjustment for these amps as you move through out the eleven meter frequencies. Does the swr stay the same? what is the trick behind using these amps and keeping your swr down to a very low match? I am considering the xforce base as a purchase. because I feel the transistor is much more durable than tube. Any imput would be appreciated. Thankyou.
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307
Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 12:51 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Tubes are much more narrow banded and must be tuned as to solid state being very wideband and "splattering" quite a bit..Usually whatever you put into a solid state unit , you get out , i.e. harmonics , splatter , ect. A tube amp is very limited to the input verses output tuning. I like tubes much better...

307
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Bassbug
Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 5:23 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks, 307. What you are telling me? Is that a solid state unit is dirty. I really don't need that. I herd the same thing about tube type robin's some years ago. I have always question that one. A friend told me that solid state amps were dirty,I did not know for sure. I go through a lot trouble to run a clean station. I ground everything, from the radio to the antenna. With a good earth ground. And I use a DF-7000 low pass filter. And again "Thanks" 307
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Highlander
Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 5:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Either kind of amp can be "dirty", it depends on the design/bias/filtering of the particular amp in question. Some tube amps are very dirty, while some solid state amps are very clean, and vice versa.
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Bassbug
Posted on Tuesday, July 01, 2003 - 6:41 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks, highlander. I gess you get what you pay for. That why some of the higher end priced. ham type amps were noted to be cleaner. compared to the old sweep tube varment's, D&A's ect. And again some of them weren't bad. As long as the radio was clean. Most weren't
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307
Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 7:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I was not saying Tubes are better , I was stating that you most likely have a better "chance" of staying clean with tube amps. I have a Yaesu FL-7000 that is solid state and it kills all electronics in my home while my Kenwood two tuber is nice and clean , it also heats the house...

307
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Bassbug
Posted on Wednesday, July 02, 2003 - 11:26 am:   Edit Post Delete Post    Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks 307,I have to agree with you. Thats what I want is a better chance of staying clean. For a base every thing helps. With my Texas Star DX-600 moble it dose not matter much. being Im always on the move. Thanks 307

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