I have a set of tetrode boards on my GS23B amplifier and
understand the design pretty well. Their primary functions are
voltage regulation and screen current trip, which has saved me
countless times over the years.?
Keeping with GM3SEK's original design philosophy, the boards
could be re-engineered with a modern microcontroller that could
also implement a versatile sequencer function, thermal protection,
along with surface mount components. I could take a crack at this
sometime this spring when I expect to have more time. It would be
completely open-source using KiCAD for PCB layout and a Github
page for community collaboration.
Mike WB2FKO
On 1/13/25 11:17, Robin Midgett via
groups.io wrote:
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Thanks
for that insight, Reid.
With all
that?being said, the electronic methods for control and
protection of triode and tetrode amplifiers haven't
changed....Ian's circuits, from an electronics standpoint,
are still valid. That being the case, duplicating the
circuits with modern components on new boards is entirely
feasible for someone with PCB design experience. Whether or
not anyone is willing to take up the project is really the
crux of the matter, and support of the product is an option
entirely up to the person doing the work. I'm not willing to
take on that project, but it seems likely to me that
someone?would.
Thanks,
Robin Midgett K4IDC
I contacted a friend of Ian's and he dialed him up and
asked to comment on the subject at hand.
Ian said he basically was unable to help, here's his
reply
?
"There have been a few inquiries about reissuing the
boards, but I'm afraid that is no longer workable. Here's
why:
1. Those boards were designed more than 25 years ago, and
many of the components are now obsolete. This was already
becoming a problem when I closed the business, and of
course has only become worse. Also the software that I
used to create the boards and schematics is way out of
date, so I can't even edit the files any more.
2. Even if by some miracle I could find the Gerber files,
all of those other changes mean that re-issued boards
would in reality be new products, each with its own new
range of support issues. I always took the "lifetime
support" commitment very seriously, but today I don't even
have the amplifiers or the test rigs to simulate faults or
provide support. Too many things have changed."
?
That's life, things change.
73
Reid Brandon? W6MTF
?
