Alpha Radio Products AMPLIFIER 9500 User manual

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ALPHA 9500 Interim OPERATING MANUAL

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ALPHA 9500

HF LINEAR AMPLIFIER

Interim

OPERATING MANUAL

Speciﬁcations subject to change without notice

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Table of Contents

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1 Introduction

1.1 General Description

Congratulations on your purchase of a professional quality Alpha 9500 ampliﬁer! With proper

installation and care, you can expect to enjoy your Amateur Radio hobby with this ampliﬁer

improving your signal for many years to come. Please study this manual carefully before

operating your ampliﬁer for the ﬁrst time.

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.

Other Alpha products available to enhance your use and enjoyment of the 9500 ampliﬁer include:

• Alpha 2100 full 1500-watt rated 50-ohm dummy loads and

• Alpha 4500 series SWR meters / Wattmeters

See our web site at www.alpharadioproducts.com or call 303-473-9232 for further information.

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1.2 Ampliﬁer Capabilities

CAUTION:

It is extremely important to thoroughly review the Installation and Operation

sections of this manual before attempting to use the Alpha 9500. Failure to do so

could result in serious damage not covered under warranty.

• Continuous RF Output. The 9500 is capable of 1.5 kW continuous RF output on all commonly

used modes and on any authorized amateur frequency from 1.8 to 29.7 MHz.

• Compatibility with popular amateur transceivers and exciters. The 9500 requires approximately

50-65 W peak RF drive for 1.5 kW output.

• Capable of full CW break-in, QSK and all digital modes when used with any appropriate

transceiver.

• Protective functions are built in. The control system incorporates protective functions that

minimize the probability of accidental damage to the ampliﬁer or its power tubes. In most cases,

when one of the protective functions is “tripped,” the ampliﬁer will go to Standby.

• USB and Serial interface allow for remote operations, diagnostic and ﬁrmware upgrades.

1.3 Shipping Information

The Alpha 9500 ampliﬁer ships in two heavy-duty cardboard cartons. One carton holds the power

transformer and weighs 43 lb (20 kg) and the second carton contains the ampliﬁer and weighs 39 lb. (18

kg). Both of these cartons are mounted on a wooden pallet and strapped down for secure shipping.

Alpha recommends that you retain the pallet and the cartons after installation in the unlikely

event that you need to ship the unit later. Contact Alpha at 303.473.9232 for shipping advice and

assistance.

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

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proper lifting techniques and two people when moving the ampliﬁer.

• 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. Read Chapter 1 before attempting to unpack or operate the

Alpha 9500 ampliﬁer.

Warnings: What Not to Do

• Never open the ampliﬁer case without unplugging the unit from the wall outlet.

• Never stick objects into holes in the case.

• Never touch an antenna during transmission.

• Never attempt to turn on the ampliﬁer without the cover securely in place (all

attachment screws reinserted).

• Never turn the ampliﬁer back on after a hard fault without waiting at least 20

seconds.

• Always resist the temptation to immediately hit the ON button after the

ampliﬁer faults to power off.

• Never allow liquids to enter the ampliﬁer through the cover holes.

• Never cover or obscure the exhaust holes in the cover of the amp.

Warnings posted in this manual should be read and thoroughly understood

by users. Failure to perform procedures properly may result in ampliﬁer

damage, ﬁre hazard, or electric shock.

1.5 Owner Assistance

Technical Assistance from Alpha Radio Products is available from several sources.

• The Alpha Radio Products web site is www.alpharadioproducts.com. Click on Support and

follow the instructions. Many typical problems and their solutions are listed on this site. On

this site you can get the following assistance:

• Technical Support

• Repair Information

• Software Downloads

• Manuals

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• 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

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2 Quick Start Information

2.1 Overview

This section explains in brief the items you need to consider when setting up your Alpha 9500

ampliﬁer.

If you already have a well-designed shack and have used an ampliﬁer before, please review the

items below to make sure you have considered all the critical items for proper installation and

operation.

If you are using an ampliﬁer for the ﬁrst time, please skip this section and go to sections 3, 4, and

5 for a more detailed explanation of how to set up your shack for maximum safety and operating

enjoyment.

If you have installation questions, do not hesitate to contact Customer Support. We much prefer

to address questions prior to power up.

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.

2.3 Preparation

__ 220V AC Power in shack? (Section 3.2)

__ Ampliﬁer placed with proper airﬂow? (Section 3.3)

__ Antenna ready for 1,500W? (Section 3.4)

__ Adequate RF cabling? (Section 3.5)

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2.4 Unpacking

__ Unit Checked for Damage?

__ Blower screw removed?

__ Transformer Installed? (Section 4.2.1, 4.2.2)

__ Power Cord Connector Attached? (Section 4.2.3)

__ 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)

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3 Station Engineering Considerations

3.1 Overview

The Alpha 9500 is capable of dramatically improving the performance of your amateur station.

It is important that you observe good engineering practices to achieve all the beneﬁts of such a

station in a safe and reliable manner. This section provides a few hints for important operational

considerations, but it is recommended that the user also consult a good source of general

information such as “The Radio Amateur’s Handbook” by the ARRL, especially if this is the ﬁrst

high-power ampliﬁer you have used.

3.2 AC Power Source

This ampliﬁer runs best when powered by a 200V - 240V AC circuit. If you do not have a 220V

AC outlet in your shack, you will need to get a licensed electrical contractor to install one. A

minimum of a 20 amp capacity is required. A 20 amp breaker on your 220V circuit is sufﬁcient.

There are many styles of plugs, some of which are country-speciﬁc. For this reason, the ampliﬁer

is not shipped with a power plug. Select a location for the outlet as close as possible to where

you expect to operate the 9500. If you are not sure, or contemplate moving the ampliﬁer, you

may choose to get a second outlet installed at the same time. Ask your contractor for two or

three matching plugs during installation as there are several styles of connector available. Ask

the contractor to measure the voltage and record it for reference. The Alpha 9500 can run when

connected to a 110V AC outlet. However, you WILL NOT achieve full legal limit output in this case.

If the ampliﬁer is connected to a 110V AC outlet, you should not expect more than 1000 W output.

Please note that when the ampliﬁer is plugged in and turned on, you will hear the capacitors and

band-switch zero themselves and you may also hear a load “clunk” as the transformer comes up to

full load - 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. Poorly designed consoles can

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result in outlet air being drawn back into the ampliﬁer air intake and recirculated, thus getting

hotter and hotter and resulting in degraded ampliﬁer performance or even failure. If you are

designing your own console, consider putting in additional fans and/or ducting to deal with

waste heat. Try to minimize the possibility of dust or other contamination getting drawn into or

falling on the ampliﬁer. 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. At this power level in a 50-ohm circuit, the RMS current is 5.5 amps and the peak RF

voltage is 387 volts. With a 2:1 SWR, these values double to 11 amps and 775 volts. The actual

voltage and current at various points in or on your antenna may actually be many times these

values. On a simple dipole with sharp wire ends, corona (localized ionization) can easily occur.

Corona can (and has!) led to ﬁre in nearby objects. Traps in beams and verticals can heat up

signiﬁcantly during high power operation. Instances of melting or ﬂashover of traps have

occurred in many installations where insufﬁcient thought has been given to their ratings. If

an antenna has been deployed for a long period of time, it may be worth taking it down for

inspection prior to full power operation. If any insulators are cracked or show signs of “tracking”,

3”

To ensure adequate cooling

make sure the top and rear

of your ampliﬁer have at

least 3” of clearance to allow

unobstructed airﬂow.

Figure 3.3 - Minimum clear-

ance for proper airﬂow

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replace them. Doubling-up on insulators is also easy to do, and may prevent problems. If there

is any chance of people, animals or objects coming close to the antenna, take steps to move it

higher, or place barriers so that this cannot happen. Check the SWR of your antenna; if you have a

favorite part of any band you use most often, consider adjusting the antenna for minimum SWR

in this part of the band.

3.5 Coax and Connectors

The importance of a well-constructed feed-line system cannot be overstated. After all, the

purpose of the ampliﬁer is to provide approximately 2 S units (12+ dB) of improvement in your

radiated signal. All too often, installation problems are encountered where cheap, poor or

under-rated coax and connectors are used. These often are responsible for at least one S unit

of degradation. (This means you could have bought a 375 W ampliﬁer and achieved the same

radiated signal by buying good quality feed-line components!) Use the lowest loss 50-ohm

coaxial cable you can obtain. Use new, clean connectors installed according to the manufacturer’s

recommendation. Clean the connectors after soldering them, and before mating them with

the ampliﬁer. Make sure any excess solder is removed from the connector; likewise remove

any fragments of braid, etc. Never use old coax, which may have had moisture penetrate under

the jacket. Run the coax in straight lines as much as possible. Support it frequently using non-

compressive clips so that it does not hang or stretch under its own weight. Avoid sharp bends

(most manufacturers will specify a minimum bend radius for their product). Make sure the

connection from feed-line to antenna is waterproof. Provide for disconnection of the feed-line

when it is not in use; this protects against damage caused by power surges and lightning strikes,

which are not covered under the ampliﬁer warranty.

3.6 RF Safety

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.

If you have any questions regarding engineering your 9500 into your amateur radio station,

please visit our online technical support website at: www.alpharadioproducts.com

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4 Unpacking & Preparation

4.1 Unpacking

Remove the strap securing the two boxes to the pallet. Inspect both boxes for physical damage.

Save all packing material and pallet for possible future use. Contact 303-473-9232 if shipping

damage is found. Carefully unpack the ampliﬁer and transformer.

Carefully remove the ampliﬁer and place it on a workbench or table where you can install the

power transformer.

4.2 Installing the Power Transformer

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” to any degree, the chassis of the ampliﬁer

can distort. This may affect a number of things, from the alignment of screw holes on the top

cover to the band-switch alignment and tension. If the ampliﬁer is moved, even if only from one

site to another locally, remove the transformer to avoid the possibility of damage.

CAUTION:

Do not operate ampliﬁer without the cover in place and all cover screws

installed. Do not operate the ampliﬁer without a good RF ground connection

on the rear panel ground terminal.

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4.2.1 Remove the Blower Screw

Place the ampliﬁer on the bench or

desk where it is to be used and remove

the cover screws and the cover. With

the cover removed, rotate the ampliﬁer

on to its right hand side as shown in

ﬁgure 4.1. While looking at the bottom

you will see a screw labled “BLOWER

SCREW”, this screw holds the blower

securely in place during shipping.

Before operation remove this screw.

4.2.2 Install the Power Transformer

With the ampliﬁer still on its side, follow the illustrations in Figure 4.2 to install the transformer.

The extra piece of wood shipped with your ampliﬁer is the transformer shim, which was cut

to speciﬁc dimensions to aid in this installation. Do not over tighten the screws that hold the

transformer in place as doing so may cause excessive vibrations or noise from the transformer.

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.

Before operation remove

this screw. Before ship-

ping insert this screw to

prevent damage to the

blower assembly.

Figure 4.1 blower screw

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CAUTION:

PROCEED SLOWLY to avoid bumping and damaging adjacent wires,

connectors or components.

While the top cover is removed, make sure the tube is ﬁrmly seated in its socket, rubber exhaust

chimney is fully and correctly installed, and anode connector is tightly clamped to the tube. The

silicone rubber chimney installed on the 8877 tube is a critical part of the cooling system. Make

sure the chimney is straight and fully installed so the bottom of the chimney is ﬁrmly against the

tube deck and completely covers the airﬂow opening in the deck. Tube cooling exhaust must

exit only through the tube anode ﬁns; it must not be allowed to escape outside them. Failure to

ensure proper cooling airﬂow may result in tube damage or destruction, which is not covered

under warranty.

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Figure 4.2

Transformer Installation

1. On a ﬂat surface, with plenty of room, carefully

rotate the ampliﬁer on to its right side (power sup-

ply/transformer side). Rotate the transformer onto

its right side, placing the transformer squarely on the

transformer shim.

2. Slowly move the ampliﬁer and transformer togeth-

er making sure to align the nuts on the transformer

with screw holes in the bottom of the ampliﬁer.

3. Once the transformer is settled into position and

the screw holes are aligned, secure the tranformer

into place from the bottom of the ampliﬁer. Insert

the supplied bolts (1/4 / 20, ½” hex bolts) with ¼”

washers through the four clearance holes in the chas-

sis and into the nuts in the transformer base. Once

the transformer is secure you may carefully rotate the

amplﬁer back to its standard orientation.

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