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Message |
    
N9emz
Junior Member
Username: N9emz
Post Number: 17
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, June 15, 2006 - 8:26 pm: | 
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Finally had an opportunity to hook everything up and give these boxes a trial run....rig is a 2nd generation Tram D201 w/VFO xmit mod and uppers and lowers with switchable 4-1/2W/13W RF output; through a Pride TF-1000 time/counter plus modulator through a stingy Dosy PM-2001-TS meter. SWR = 1.1:1 throughout the system.
JB12: This is the late model with the solid state keying circuit pushing a 6BQ5 with switchable SSB delay. I had previously checked this thing out before purchase with my Albrecht AE5280 that has a 5W deadkey. The JB12 liked the way it was tuned for the 5280 and no further adjustment/tuning made an improvement. With 4-1/2W input from the D201 I got 60W output from the box. I tried it on SSB and really don't like the long duration unkeying delay, but am not concerned because I'm an AM-er by nature and habit.
JB76B: Also the late model with the solid state keying circuitry pushing a pair of 8417s....strictly an AM box. This thing gave me real fits trying to adjust the deadkey to 4-1/2W. No matter what I did I could not lower the JB-76B's deadkey below 10W and the slightest adjustment of the trimmer gave me a deadkey of 15-17W and maximum forward swing of 35W. I gave up.
I popped the lid on the D201 and flipped the switch. The box loved it and settled right down to a 13W deadkey, producing 155W swing. I retrimmed the antenna loading circuit under modulation and knocked the deadkey back down to 13W and finally got 170W of swing. I called it a day.
They're keepers. I think I'm going to ship them off and have someone go completely through them even though I'm happy at the moment. I'm continuing my search for that particularly nice Varmint I've been lusting for over the past thirty years.
Thanks for letting me share and 73 to all,
Sam
CEF-774 |
Grumpy8220
Intermediate Member
Username: Grumpy8220
Post Number: 114
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 6:05 am: |
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Hi Sam,
The Varmints are nice amps. I have a XL-150 and it does a great job for me. They run best on the Super Mod position. The XL-250 is a good one as well. I would stay away from the larger Varmints like the XL-1000 as from my understanding from Alan parts are hard to come by for those amps!
Good Luck...
73
Scott |
N9emz
Junior Member
Username: N9emz
Post Number: 18
Registered: 5-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, June 17, 2006 - 8:34 am: |
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Hey, Scott....
I just missed out on an XL-250 and it would have suited me just fine....someday....an XL-1000 mostly for conversation's sake, but it's a long road ahead before I get a decent shack together. Guess I'll just have to make do with the Jewel Boxes and the Elkin Super Six I picked up last night.
Take care and get up to speed quick.
73,
Sam |
