Ameritron AL-80B help

[Heavy Metal]

Now when setting ALC is it same scale aka bottom as HV is or is it too scale that goes to 500? Meters are weird I set it to the 15 on bottom that is same scale used for the HV, and the top is SOLEY reflective measurements, Am I right or way off?

 

[Beetle]

I'd use the manual for the definitive answer, but it looks like you'd set the switch to ALC and then use that HV scale with the little bit of red on the end, marked ALC. Apparently you disregard the numbers along the top side of that scale except when looking at reflectED power.

 

[Heavy Metal]

Okay what settings on a TS-480HX 28 and 29 1 2 or 3? Set which to which for the amp, and still cannot get it to do CW 800 5-6 at 50-70 watt drive, should the rear adjustment pod be adjusted? Also still may need coax cable change out have 3 one from radio to 989D and from 989D to AL-80B, also never done ALC did as manual said since 120-180 so have it on 15 aka 150, but rear ALC adjustment is all counter clockwise still. Any suggestions? BUT bright side am loud have mic gain at 50 processor at 25 and very very loud with amp...

 

[BJ radionut]

Question: Are you running a tuner between the radio and the amp? Not sure of this...
"coax cable/3 one from radio to MFJ 989D (?) and from 989D to AL-80B"
Tuner should be after the amp...between amp and antenna...
Amp has tuned input from radio and if properly adjusted no tuner should be needed...
AM carrier from radio should not exceed IMHO more than 25 watts
CW/ SSB drive should produce full output with 50-70w drive (600-700 watts PEP)...
if You follow these set-ups, amp will last a lifetime...driving with more to get 1000w PEP will only shorten tube life and stress other components....
No one will ever hear the difference...
All the Best
Gary

 

[Heavy Metal]

Sorry amp then tuner lol my boo boo

 

[Heavy Metal]

Ok, amp gets @5-7 on AUX, on ssb as well as AM, but tube never gets red, that sound right?

Now on radio swr meter does go backwards but the Mfj-989D does forward.

 

[543_Dallas]

On ssb yes. On AM with a 150 watt carrier and 600 to 700 pep the toob shows some colur.

 

[Heavy Metal]

I have yet to see color other than white on bottom lite up no red/ or orange like coloring. But I get @500 to 700 watts out ssb sometimes gets on CW to to up 800 dead key on it. But that between 50 to 70 watts drive.

Am 25 watt drive @200-300 dead key. Swings to @600-800

 

[543_Dallas]

That's odd. The bright white light is the filament. With that much (too much) AM carrier it should should be showing some color if you talk a decent amount of time. If I key mine at 150 for about 30 seconds the bottom of the anode will start to show a dull red color.

 

[Heavy Metal]

Later tonight or so I'll see I'll stick it on AM and rag chew some see if it turned dull red or what rather than just white

 

[543_Dallas]

Don't be too hard on it. You're not looking for a bright glow. The Grey anode that surrounds the filament will start to turn a dull red color at the bottom. The longer you transmit the red color will move further up the tube. There's no reason to get it smoking hot. If you figured out the grid current and swr issue you mentioned earlier it really sounds like everything is working right.

 

[Heavy Metal]

How far up is too much

 

[BJ radionut]

Later tonight or so I'll see I'll stick it on AM and rag chew

I feel sorry for that amp...

 

[RatsoW8]

Later tonight or so I'll see I'll stick it on AM and rag chew some see if it turned dull red or what rather than just white

I'll be listening 3.885.

 

[Heavy Metal]

I feel sorry for that amp...

Gee thanks lol

Amp got a reprieve fell asleep early