I am doing some updating to my Alpha 76PA 3-tube amplifier.? I have switched the T/R relay to a pair of vacuum relays and changed the "relay" (AKA Send or PTT) request to send from 24 Volts to be a compatible 12 Volts for modern transceivers.? I am about to replace the original Alpha Plate Choke with a re-wound Ameritron style taller choke.
While I'm at it I have a, new-but old, Cera-Mite 5000 PF, 15 KV door-knob capacitor.? I'm planning to replace the original plate blocking capacitors with this door knob cap.? The original plate blocking cap uses dual original 2000 PF, 6 KV ceramic disk capacitors.
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I've has this door knob cap a long time and I'm no longer planning on building a tube amplifier from scratch.? As you can see I've fabricated two copper straps to place the cap in the 76pa amp.? I fabricated these straps to put to door knob cap into a previous Alpha 76PA I had.? And when fastened in place it is quite sturdy and has adequate clearance from its surroundings.
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This amplifier will be kept in my station as a back-up for my Solid State PA.? I've found SSPAs to be less tolerant of operator errors than tube amps.? But I still like the instant on and 6 meter capability in my current SSPA (403A/Flex PGXL).
What are your thoughts on this replacement other than it is overkill in this situation?
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73,
Dave, w6de
