Why push it ?

The difference between 500 and a 1000 watts is only 3db

Its not worth stressing out the power supply and tubes.


"John, N9JG" wrote in message
t...
I have a Drake L-4B, which I purchased new in about 1975. Recently I have
started to use RTTY mode with the L-4B, and I have some concerns about what
is the safe RTTY power level for this amplifier. The Drake easily puts out
1 kW into my antenna, but during an RTTY contest the transmission duty
cycle can approach 50%. During a long-winded rag chew, a transmission might
be as long as five minutes (just like the old AM days!). I am reasonably
certain that the L-4B (both the amplifier deck and the PS) can withstand
long transmissions at (say) 500 watts out, but my concern is with the 1000
watt level.

John, N9JG