Carlbuilt 400HD vs C400 vs CM400

[Lost Ram]

Mike, very few builders in the US use temp tracking electronic regulated bias, off hand I can think of one person that does this on 11 meter amps that does it well, and it's not cheap.
It's just how it is unfortunately.

73
Jeff

I like to use the TIP31 setup.

 

[SuperLid]

That bias is just resistor providing bias voltage or temperature compensated bias circuit as it should be done?
Mike

His bias circuit is crap. Schottky clamping diode/resistors

 

[9C1Driver]

That bias is just resistor providing bias voltage or temperature compensated bias circuit as it should be done?
Mike

The only builder I have ever saw do this was Peakaboo in the Joker amplifiers. He came up with and designed his own regulated AB bias scheme. He would even grind off component part numbers and values so no one would try to copy it. Best amp I ever owned.

 

[Lost Ram]

The only builder I have ever saw do this was Peakaboo in the Joker amplifiers. He came up with and designed his own regulated AB bias scheme. He would even grind off component part numbers and values so no one would try to copy it. Best amp I ever owned.

He is selling those boards now. I bought four of them due to no time to make the boards from scratch myself. Each board serves 2 transistors. He uses the TIP31 setup. I dont know of any fulltime builders using that bias setup yet, the ones that do bias is just the diode/cap/resistor deal as far as I know. I guess thats better then no bias. I think Shockwave turned me to Him if I am not mistaken. Rob S also built like that too.

 

[linearone]

He is selling those boards now. I bought four of them due to no time to make the boards from scratch myself. Each board serves 2 transistors. He uses the TIP31 setup. I dont know of any fulltime builders using that bias setup yet, the ones that do bias is just the diode/cap/resistor deal as far as I know. I guess thats better then no bias. I think Shockwave turned me to Him if I am not mistaken. Rob S also built like that too.

Ahem
...
I did it as well. I even had a thread here showing the schematic and everything but it's lost to time. I basically copied a Kenwood bias schematic.

 

[SuperLid]

Actually Carl does build biased amps, you just have to check the box for it at the time of purchase.
And I do agree
You should run bias for SSB if you want to keep it clean..
With those radios I don't think you need a driver transistor, but I never liked amps with built in drivers anyway

73
Jeff

The bias he uses is class B schottky diodes and resistors. Garbage amps.

 

[AudioShockwav]

The bias he uses is class B schottky diodes and resistors. Garbage amps.

It's a CB amp, and in that sense they're all garbage amps, however it's still better than some of the class C stuff that seems built to include the least amount of parts and still make RF.

Cb amps are not Henry or Metron built quality.....

73
Jeff

 

[SuperLid]

It's a CB amp, and in that sense they're all garbage amps, however it's still better than some of the class C stuff that seems built to include the least amount of parts and still make RF.

Cb amps are not Henry or Metron built quality.....

73
Jeff

Not from what I have seen. Horrible construction, the cheapest parts possible and oscillates like a kazoo, when driven below recommended limits. Spurs-a-plenty. But, he says, his amps don't spur. Must be some kind of voodoo in here that makes his junk special.

 

[SuperLid]

It's a CB amp, and in that sense they're all garbage amps, however it's still better than some of the class C stuff that seems built to include the least amount of parts and still make RF.

Cb amps are not Henry or Metron built quality.....

73
Jeff

This is on my bench today

 

[c316buckeye]

Make sure you keep the fan and vents clear and clean of dust and obstructions.

have you seen fan failure or overheating issues with Carl's boxes? c80 and hd200 models with lots of talk time on ssb. with 7w PEP per 2879 and 5w per 2290, these boxes have never got above 100° in a 70° environment, or a poor audio report on ssb. kept clean, smoke free, and with a low standing wave.

original poster: i recommend the variable power option. 1 of the boxes i have does NOT like the high position on the output power switch (200hd). having a panel meter showing draw on the power supply and a decent swr meter told me something was set to go way too hot. i stay away from what he recommends for drive input or power output.

 

[9C1Driver]

Not from what I have seen. Horrible construction, the cheapest parts possible and oscillates like a kazoo, when driven below recommended limits. Spurs-a-plenty. But, he says, his amps don't spur. Must be some kind of voodoo in here that makes his junk special.

Can you post up a link to a different builder for say a nice AB amp that does 10 & 11m that's not "crap" or "junk" as you put it?

 

[SuperLid]

Can you post up a link to a different builder for say a nice AB amp that does 10 & 11m that's not "crap" or "junk" as you put it?

If it has an FCC ID, start there. If it doesn't, it's most likely junk. Ameritron, Metron, Cubic, Ten-Tec, TPL, are old school solid state. Modern day LDMOS, do your research, plenty out there.

If the amp uses HG devices, it is trash.

 

[Lost Ram]

have you seen fan failure or overheating issues with Carl's boxes? c80 and hd200 models with lots of talk time on ssb. with 7w PEP per 2879 and 5w per 2290, these boxes have never got above 100° in a 70° environment, or a poor audio report on ssb. kept clean, smoke free, and with a low standing wave.

original poster: i recommend the variable power option. 1 of the boxes i have does NOT like the high position on the output power switch (200hd). having a panel meter showing draw on the power supply and a decent swr meter told me something was set to go way too hot. i stay away from what he recommends for drive input or power output.

Did not say they overheated, this is just a precaution I mentioned as some might not be aware to keep the vents in the clear and the fan area clean.