Power amplifier control
from old to new without risk



When worlds collide, things can quickly get dangerous in the shack. Anyone who connects a prized older-generation tube power amplifier—such as a Kenwood TL-922 or Drake L4B—to a modern transceiver risks immediately destroying the sensitive electronics if proper precautions aren’t taken. High switching voltages from decades past come into contact with highly sensitive, modern semiconductors.

But the topic of power amplifier control is by no means limited to the nostalgics among us. Even if you’re already successfully operating a power amplifier in your station, it’s worth taking a critical look at the details. Absolutely clean control and perfect timing are crucial in determining whether your equipment is optimally protected and whether you’re putting a flawless signal on the bands.

In our new article, we’ll show you in a practical way how to configure the critical transmit/receive switching without errors. Learn when an external protection barrier is indispensable, how modern devices elegantly control timing digitally, and how to permanently avoid clipping and overdrive.
For a limited time only and at an unbeatable price
MC-599 portable shortwave dipole
and matching tripod mast

The portable Chelegance MC-599 multiband antenna, paired with the matching tripod mast, is the ideal choice not only for spontaneous use on vacation but also for flexible operation during your next Field Day, SOTA, or POTA activities. Take advantage of this opportunity now and secure this perfectly matched, ready-to-use combo solution at the current special price. Since this is a limited-time offer, we recommend making a decision soon while supplies last.

The MC-599 is a highly efficient dipole antenna solution for the shortwave bands from 14 to 50 MHz as well as the 40m band, which impresses with a maximum power handling capacity of up to 200 watts in SSB, thus extending far beyond pure QRP operation. The system features two 5.60-meter-long telescoping elements with precise frequency markings for quick tuning without a tuner, while on 40m, two additional wire elements arranged as an inverted-V ensure excellent reception efficiency. The perfect complement for quick setup is the innovative, lightweight aluminum tripod, whose integrated 5-section mast can be adjusted tool-free to a height between 1.42 and 4.80 meters and offers maximum stability. Thanks to the ultra-compact carrying case for the antenna—just 58 centimeters long—and the tripod’s small pack size, the entire setup can be easily stowed away and taken anywhere.

Once they’re gone, they’re gone—so act fast before the special-price stock runs out!
ICOM bundles at an unbeatable price!

Why pay more when you can get it at an unbelievably low price as part of a bundle? Starting now, you’ll find brand-new ICOM bundles in our online shop that are easy on your wallet. We’ve put together top-notch bundles for you, and you’ve never seen savings like this when buying items separately.

Don’t wait—grab yours now and secure your ICOM highlight at a rock-bottom price before the first bundles sell out.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the inrush current of massive tube power amplifiers was often so immense that flipping the power switch would regularly blow the house fuse. Because these classic models lacked a modern soft-start (step-start) feature right out of the factory, the massive transformer drew enormous amounts of current from the mains in the first fraction of a second. Back then, anyone who wanted to turn on the power amp had to first turn off the coffee maker in the house.

New from WiMo: OptiBeam OB6-3M 6-Element 20-15-10m

The OptiBeam OB6-3M is an extremely high-performance and mechanically robust 6-element triband directional antenna for the 20, 15, and 10-meter bands, which combines maximum efficiency on the 20-meter band with a compact design thanks to computer-optimized full-size elements and innovative Moxon technology. With a short boom length of just 3.10 meters, it delivers outstanding gain values of up to 12.5 dBi, a strong front-to-back ratio of up to 25 dB, and an excellent, low SWR across the entire frequency range. With an outstanding maximum power handling capacity of up to 5000 watts, a weight of just 15 kilograms, a small windage area of 0.46 m², and a built-in balun, this highly efficient antenna is the perfect, long-lasting investment for discerning DX enthusiasts and daily contest use in the shack.

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Share your experiences with us and other customers by writing and submitting your own customer review. We will reward your efforts with a  € 50 WiMo voucher if we publish your review. Your opinion is important to us!
See you in the next newsletter!
CAROLIN KERN
 
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