I often receive emails or phone calls wanting to know what is the best HF linear amplifier to purchase.
Without hesitation, I whole heartily recommend the Collins 30L-1 linear amp. Here is why.
· It is a Collins product and is very well designed and superbly manufactured.
· The 30L-1 is rated as one of the top five of all HF amplifiers rated on the eHam.com Review pages.
· The 30L-1 is a grounded grid amp which uses inexpensive 811A or 572 finals.
· The 30L-1 may be powered with 115 VAC or 230 VAC mains, changeable by simple wiring change.
· The 30L-1 will function properly on any frequency between 3.5 and 30 MHz.
· The 30L-1 will function on WARC bands by readjusting the input circuits, per the manual.
· The 30L-1 has five-band switch positions 80-40-20-15-10 but may be used on any amateur band above 3.5 MHz.
· The 30L-1 is easy to use, very dependable and a delight to tune.
· The 30L-1 is quiet! I have to look over at the unit to see if it is on since I can’t hear it.
· The 30L-1 is portable and not very heavy to move around.
· The 30L-1 produces from 1,000 to 1,400 watt PEP output power; near legal limit.
· The 30L-1 can be driven with any HF exciter with 70 to 100 watts of output power.
· The 30L-1 will interface (relay keying) with any exciter by using a simple compatibility circuit to isolate the exciter from the 30L-1 100 Volt keying control voltage. A 12 volt switching relay is the most common method of interfacing.
· Compared to other amps of the similar capabilities, the 30L-1 is the least expensive to buy. I have purchased them for as little as $100 for fixer uppers, to $650 for one ready to use and in very good condition.
· Parts for the 30L-1 are surprising easy to find, even after the many years since production was halted. (The U.S. Government bought thousands 30L-1’s and this is keeping their cost and parts availability attractive.)
· Power supply mods and or upgrades are readily available from several sources and are inexpensive.
· If you take care of your 30L-1 and maintain it properly its value goes UP, not down as is the case with just about all other HF linear amps manufactured.
There are two variations of the 30L-1, the so-called Winged Emblem (WE) logo or the newer Collins “Meatball” logo variety. The latter is of later production with a few minor improvements. There is no difference between the practical operations of either variety.
Which Linear Amp Should I Buy?
If you are getting 1400 watts out of a Collns 30L-1, either you need a new watt meter or your are over driving the amp. You are hammering the grids and beating to death the power supply !
Even if you change the tubes to four each 572's, that amp is not designed for that kind of power output.
Asking the question, "What kind of amp should I buy" is like asking what kind of car should I buy? It' too broad of a questions. The amp you need is an amp that fits your needs.
If you are going to run a 48 hour RTTY contest at 1500 watts out, you'd need an amp in the Alpha class.
If you would just like to get another S unit stronger of a signal and you just rag chew a little a day, then a nice small solid state amp would fit your needs.
Narrow down your question to get an honest answer.
Barry, KU3X
Even if you change the tubes to four each 572's, that amp is not designed for that kind of power output.
Asking the question, "What kind of amp should I buy" is like asking what kind of car should I buy? It' too broad of a questions. The amp you need is an amp that fits your needs.
If you are going to run a 48 hour RTTY contest at 1500 watts out, you'd need an amp in the Alpha class.
If you would just like to get another S unit stronger of a signal and you just rag chew a little a day, then a nice small solid state amp would fit your needs.
Narrow down your question to get an honest answer.
Barry, KU3X
OK
Ok...
Do you feel better now!
Do you feel better now!
