On Fri, 05 May 2006 12:42:40 GMT, "COLIN LAMB"
wrote:

One of the cheaper tubes vs. power is the old 4CX1000. It would take some
mechanical work, but that is the fun part. Winding a new choke is also fun.

Now that would be a *lot* of mechanical work as the 4CX 1000 (at 4.8"
tall by 3.37" in diameter) is a lot larger than the original tubes in
both girth and length. Even the 3CX800 is a fair amount larger, but a
whole lot more rugged. With zero watts grid dissapation a lot of
4CX1000s have gone to an early grave from a slight oops! :-))

Of course that brings the choice of staying a tetrode amp with low
drive or going GG. My preference is the 8874, but they are
*expensive*. I keep hoping they last for ever in my old 76A.

The tubes are worth more than the whole amp.

Roger Halstead (K8RI & ARRL life member)
(N833R, S# CD-2 Worlds oldest Debonair)
www.rogerhalstead.com

73, Colin K7FM