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1kw solid state transmitter opinions
- Thread starter stephend2
- Start date
stephend2 said:
I took one from 1520 to 1270 a few years ago. You'll have to change the crystal in the oscillator, some caps in the output network and do some coil retapping. It can be done with an OIB, synthesizer and a 50 ohm load. Took me about 6 hours total. Biggest problem I had was getting Harris to give me the parts list and retune procedure.
If your boss decides to do it, shoot me an email. I'm just down the road from you and have the gear to retune it.
RFB
From the GATES-1 FD Chart in the manual
Just skimming over it...
5 new caps in the output tune/matching network.
4 new caps in the IPA filter network
On the output monitor take L3 18 uh and put it where L2 is.
Replace L2 with a 12 uh inductor.
Just skimming over it...
5 new caps in the output tune/matching network.
4 new caps in the IPA filter network
On the output monitor take L3 18 uh and put it where L2 is.
Replace L2 with a 12 uh inductor.
I have two Gates One's in use at two different sites. They just run and run. They are the most reliable AM box I've ever seen.
" Replace L2 with a 12 uh inductor." shud read Replace L3 with a 12 uh inductor.
I've heard of retuning with only a bridge.
We at one time had the parts to move a Gates-5 from 670 to 930 but that never happened. At the time Harris insisted the PA modules had to be sent to them for retuning.
I've heard of retuning with only a bridge.
We at one time had the parts to move a Gates-5 from 670 to 930 but that never happened. At the time Harris insisted the PA modules had to be sent to them for retuning.
rfrus said:
And with their track record of support, Harris is suspect.
Sadly, with that being said, I've actually had slightly better overall reliablity with semi-modern Harris stuff.
The Gates One and Gates Five series were the last Harris rigs built to be field repairable in the old way. DAX big drawbacks is, if a module goes teats up, you must get Big H to send you another module so you're running reduced power and pay a high price for that module. A rig I don't want to maintain when older. Big H support on older gear is my biggest beef about them. In small town AM broadcasting, best rigs to own are those you can actually get parts for and field repair when needed in short time. Surface Mount Technology is not well suited for this market's needs. Love a Gates One for this job. SMD based modules are too expensive for this market to keep enough spares when lightning hits the DAX.
Yeah. I think the Gates One stuff might have been their very best AM transmitter ever actually. I haven't had much experience with a DAX but I know a couple people that have them on-air and haven't had any issues with them. When and if they do, that surface-mount repair will be a killer probably.
The Gates series has filter caps that eventually "slosh" meaning go bad. Solid state RF devices are already obsolete. Same stuff as the SX series.
Nautel or Be, Harris new a distant third....
At WKDK I have a BE AM1a backed up by a RCA BTA 1R2, which I woke up and ran 4 hours the other day. I run it from time to time to prevent a surprize in the case of an emergency.
Powell
Nautel or Be, Harris new a distant third....
At WKDK I have a BE AM1a backed up by a RCA BTA 1R2, which I woke up and ran 4 hours the other day. I run it from time to time to prevent a surprize in the case of an emergency.
Powell
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