Related Manuals for Alpha Radio Products 9500
Summary of Contents for Alpha Radio Products 9500
- Page 1 ALPHA 9500 HF LINEAR AMPLIFIER Interim OPERATING MANUAL © 2007 Alpha Radio Products, Inc All rights reserved Specifications subject to change without notice ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
- Page 2 ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
- Page 3 Table of Contents ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
- Page 4 ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
- Page 5 ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
- Page 6 ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
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Page 7: General Description
The Alpha 9500 is a self-contained manual tune HF linear power amplifier capable of continuous operation at 1500 W peak power output on SSB, keyed CW, SSTV, RTTY, digital modes or FM, with no time limit. -
Page 8: Amplifier Capabilities
1.4 Safety Information – Installation and Operation • Make sure the Alpha 9500 is located where there is good air circulation all around and on top of the cabinet. The unit may become hot during operation. • The Alpha 9500 weighs approximately 69 pounds when the transformer is installed. Use ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com... -
Page 9: Owner Assistance
• The Alpha 9500 is designed to meet international safety standards and FCC regulations. However, one should always remember that the equipment works with high voltages that can be LETHAL! This operating manual holds information, cautions and warnings that must be followed to ensure safe installation and operation. - Page 10 • Tech Tips • Legacy Equipment Information • FAQs • You can e-mail us for customer support at service@alpharadioproducts.com or you can send your request by fax to 303.473.9660. • Our phone number is 303.473.9232 ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
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Page 11: Quick Start Information
2.2 Station Engineering Considerations - Checklist Make sure you have properly addressed the following concerns (Section 2.3 below) before installation of your Alpha 9500 amplifier. If you are unsure of any of these items, please read the noted sections carefully. -
Page 12: Operation
__ Amplifier Grounded Properly? (Section 4.4.1) __ Amplifier Cover Replaced and Secured? (Section 4.4.2) 2.5 Operation __ All Exciter Interconnections Set? (Section 6.2) __ Exciter Drive Correctly Set? (Section 6.1.1) __ Amplifier Tuned to Antenna System? (Section 6.3.6) ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com... -
Page 13: Station Engineering Considerations
- this is normal! 3.3 Air Flow It is critical that airflow around the Alpha 9500 remain unimpeded at all times. Keep the top of the amplifier clear of any restrictions. If you are mounting the amplifier in a console, make sure that the exhaust air is properly and fully removed from the console. - Page 14 It is also advisable to periodically (at least annually) clean the dust out of your amplifier, paying particular attention to the tube fins, for continued flawless operation. Alpha Radio Products recommends the use of compressed air for dust removal. 3.4 Antennas Many antennas that are suitable for general use are unsuited for operation with a full 1500 W of power.
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Page 15: Coax And Connectors
The FCC requires users to check their installations for compliance with published values for allowable exposure to RF fields. This information is available in ARRL publications, FCC printed rules, and on the web. Alpha Radio Products strongly recommends that this be done for any installation, both fixed and at an expedition or contest site. - Page 16 ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
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Page 17: Unpacking And Preparation
It is recommended that the power transformer be installed when the amp is at or near the place it is to be used. The chassis of the 9500 is designed for the mechanical loads it experiences when the amplifier is on a flat surface with the tilt-bail up or down. If the amplifier is tilted too far, such that the transformer is cantilevered or “hanging out”... - Page 18 Once the transformer has been installed and all of the screws are in place holding it to the chassis, you may proceed to attach the connectors as described in section 4.2.3. WARNING! The transformer is very heavy and must be moved with due caution using only the lifting handle. ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
- Page 19 Failure to ensure proper cooling airflow may result in tube damage or destruction, which is not covered under warranty. ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
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Page 20: Transformer Installation
Once the transformer is secure you may carefully rotate the amplfier back to its standard orientation. ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com... -
Page 21: Transformer Connections
First make sure the connectors are prop- erly aligned Gently but firmly press the con- nectors together till they are fully mated. The connection should look like this when you are done. ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com... -
Page 22: High Voltage Connection
Align the HV connector, making sure that all pins are in their appropriate slots. Gently but firmly push the connec- tor together, ensuring that it is properly mated. ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com... -
Page 23: Mains Connection
Align the Mains con- nector, making sure that both pins are in their appropriate slots. Gently but firmly push the connector together, ensur- ing that it is properly mated. ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com... -
Page 24: Power Cord Connections
For example, if the Alpha 9500 operates from a circuit that is capable of delivering 115 V AC at a maximum current of 20A, with no other loads connected to the circuit, maximum peak RF output possible without tripping the 20A breaker (or fuse) is approximately: P o max = (115V x 20A) / 2.3 = 2300/2.3 = 1000 W... -
Page 25: Ac Primary Connections
4.3 AC Primary Connections When the Alpha 9500 is powered on, the line voltage is measured and the appropriate tap setting is chosen and set. The amplifier does not reset the tap as long as it is powered up. External Fan Figure 4.3... -
Page 26: Complete The Transformer Installation
Be sure that the AC cord is not coiled too tightly or placed where normal air flow is restricted because the cord could overheat. If other equipment is drawing current from the same circuit as the Alpha 9500, then the considerations in section 4.2.3 should be taken into account. -
Page 27: Amplifier/Station Interconnections
Shielded wire should be used for the T/R control cable. The Alpha 9500 end must be fitted with a common phono (RCA-type) plug and the other end with a connector suitable for the transceiver. - Page 28 The Alpha 9500 does not generate or use ALC voltages to control an exciter. Key In line from radio RF outputs 1 -4 to RF input from radio Key Out line (op- antenna 1500 watts 50-60 watts tional) to radio...
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Page 29: Theory Of Operation - Overview
5 Theory of Operation 5.1 Theory of Operation - Overview The Alpha 9500 uses a single 3CX1500 (8877) high-mu external anode triode ceramic tube for amplification. The main power supply is an unregulated transformer/rectifier/capacitor power supply for the high voltage (HV) and heater circuits. All other power supplies are regulated. -
Page 30: Output Tank Circuit
9.4 V. 5.3 Output Tank Circuit The output tank circuit of the Alpha 9500 is designed to provide reliable high efficiency, low distortion performance in a very compact volume. The basic topology is “pi-L” , which provides harmonic attenuation adequate to meet the requirements of all countries globally that permit power outputs of 1,500 watts. -
Page 31: High Voltage Board
LEDs are lit and the stepper motors move to the correct positions. A standard 9-pin RS232 serial port is provided for control and monitoring and is found on the back of the Alpha 9500. A USB port is also provided. Either port may be used, but only one may be active at any one time. The amplifier automatically senses when a PC is attached to the USB port, and uses that port. -
Page 32: Center Partition Board
This contains the RF decoupling circuit on the B+ line as well as the “crowbar” safety circuit. This safety device consists of a piece of spring metal, which shorts out the B+ line when the top cover of the amplifier is removed. ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com... -
Page 33: Operation And Maintenance
You must set the transceiver output power properly. Virtually all damage to date has resulted directly from severe overdrive. The ALPHA 9500 requires about 50 W drive for full rated output. Damage caused by applying several times rated drive power to the ALPHA 9500 will not be covered under warranty. - Page 34 • RF arc in output circuit including antenna. If the 9500 encounters unsafe operating conditions, it enters a protective “Fault” mode. When this happens, the tube is biased off and the relays are placed in the bypass mode, so that RF from the radio goes directly to the antenna.
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Page 35: Lightning Protection
AC power when the equipment is not in use. 6.1.6 Operating in Bypass Mode Whenever the 9500 is in line, either off, in standby (STBY), or in warm-up with the WAIT LED lighted, the amplifier is bypassed and the exciter is connected directly to the antenna. The throughput limit in all cases is 1500 watts. -
Page 36: Initial Setup & Tuning
When you first install the Alpha 9500 in your shack, you should save the tune and load settings for your setup and antennas to the User 1 memory. Note that for each band, there are 5 segment values, representing 5 different frequencies across that band. -
Page 37: Control Functions
Controls the tune capacitor in the amplifier LOAD Controls the load control in the amplifier ANTENNA Determines which of the four antenna output ports to use. It is also possible SELECT to enable 2 of them simultaneously ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com... - Page 38 (usually) excessive amplifier grid current. If operated at a much lower power level than it has been adjusted for, the amplifier’s efficiency decreases considerably. Alpha Radio Products makes the ALPHA 2100 in-line dummy load which simplifies this process. Using the AP 2100, the ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
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Page 39: Turning On The Amplifier
6.3.5 Turning On The Amplifier Please Note: Every time the ALPHA 9500 is powered up there is a built-in warm up wait. This countdown (in seconds) will be displayed on the seven segment display, and the STBY switch light will toggle on and off. -
Page 40: Normal Use
6.4 Normal Use 6.4.1 Tubes The Alpha 9500 makes use of a single 8877 (3CX1500A7) ceramic triode tube manufactured by CPI Eimac corporation. 6.4.2 Interlocks The ALPHA 9500 is equipped with a cover interlock switch intended to remove primary power from the amplifier, and a crowbar to short-circuit the high voltage to chassis whenever the cover is lifted. -
Page 41: Standard Maintenance Tasks
There are no user-accessible lubrication points in the amplifier. Do not apply oil or grease to any of the components. The exterior of the ALPHA 9500 may be cleaned with a mild household liquid detergent. Do not use chemical solvents, as these may severely damage the front panel or cabinet finish. - Page 42 ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
- Page 43 AWG- American wire gauge Continuous wave Decibel EBS- Electronic bias control Exciter- The radio that provides RF drive for the 9500 to operate FCC- Federal Communications Commission Frequency modulation FSK- Frequency-shift keying High frequency (3 to 30 MHz) High voltage...
- Page 44 Standing wave ratio. A measure of antenna and feedline efficiency. T/R- Transmit / Receive UHF- Ultra high frequency (300-3,000 MHz) United States VAC- Volts of alternating current VDC- Volts of direct current VSWR- Voltage standing wave ratio ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL www.alpharadioproducts.com...
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