Mouser

The Metron 1000B was also know as the Trasnworld MA-1000 1970s era mobile amplfiier using the popular Motorola MRF454 transistor (CBers and uneducated refer to these as "pills" - an insult to Helge Granberg's work at Motorola).

Last price I saw for these trasnsitors was about $85 per pair - check with RF Parts.

The last number I has for Metron service/parts was:
Daytron World Communications
3030 Enterprise Ct
Vista, CA, 92081-8358
Telephone number: 760-597-1500.

Astatic microphone schematics (different stands and config.)
http://www.barovelli.com/radio/astatic/astatic.htm

gb

Astatic microphone schematics (different stands and config.)
http://www.barovelli.com/radio/astatic/astatic.htm

gb

A bipolar transistor amp design around 500 watts - kit version with parts runs $ 500 plus about 16 hours of labor
http://users.aol.com/rfelectron/rfelect.htm

FAQ about solid-state amplifiers
http://users.aol.com/rfelectron/faq.htm

gb

Carl -

1/2 price - because half of the required parts for proper and clean operation are missing.  
Helge Granberg, K7ES (sk) wrote the books and Applicaton Notes for solid state mobile amplfiers.

"There's a Sucker Born Every Minute" and this is the perfect product for that audience!

The American public is always looking for a cheaper bargain - but this is not one of them.

NOW HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF BETTER DESIGNS !!

Pieter Ibelings, N4IP
http://www.ibelings.com/n4ip/mrf157.html

Helge's EB104 Application Note
http://www.communication-concepts.com/appnotes/EB104Sharp300.pdf
http://www.kotinet.com/oh8jep/2eb104.html

Communication Concepts - EB104 - 600 watt deisgn
http://www.communication-concepts.com/eb104.htm

K9GDT's version of the EB104 amp (base station design)
http://www.qsl.net/k9gdt/radio/600w/600w.htm

K0GKD version
http://www.k0gkd.com/ssamp.html

gb

Bruce -

Regarding your original question
"I'd like to know the performance (gain, noise figure, etc) at least what was originally stated by Kenwood."

The unit does no compare favorably with current "state of the art" low noise figure and high gain units.  DEM and SSB Electronics both have transverters with significantly better performance.
That said - it really depends upon you desired application for the TV-502 (e.g. weak signal DX work - an IF stage for microwave converters)

w9gb

The FTL-2001 is an 80 channel VHF radio designed for the the Land Mobile Radio service VHF frequency allocations.

This radio has to be programmed via its internal EEPROM.  Your best bet is a Vertex Standard Land Mobile Radio (LMR) commercial dealer or service center.  Here is the "lookup" for a dealer.
http://www.vertexstandard.com/?cmd=DealerLocator&DivisionID=64

The Yaesu/Vertex FYG-4 (and maybe the FYG-3) stand-alone programmer will work with this radio.
Fox-Tango International has the FYG-4 instructions
http://foxtango.org/foxtango003.htm

You could also contact Yaesu/Vertex if you dsire to purchase this unit (if still avaailable) - have your $$ ready OR watch for them to appear to eBay.

MODS.DK suggests using the PonyProg by LancOS -- but then you are reading and editing HEX code (a specific skill you likely lack) -- from the EEPROM directly.
http://www.lancos.com/

w9gb

The VOX connector, J10 on the TS-700 schematic (page 23 of 26 in Operating Manual) has 8 active pins (of the 9) on the J10 connector.  There is NO reference in the Operating Manual to the proper jumpering for the plug (when an external VOX is not used).
You may wish to consult the TS-700A Service Manual OR contact Kenwood Support directly

Amateur Radio Customer Support
P.O. Box 22745
Long Beach, CA 90801-5745
Tel: (310) 639-4200
Fax (310) 537-8235


http://www.mods.dk/view.php?ModelId=529

TS-700 operating manual available here:
http://www.mods.dk/view.php?ListManuals=kenwood

w9gb

VE3 -

In the 1970s Kenwood used a socket/plug combination that was identical to the 9-pin minature tube configuration.  The plug on the TS-520 was used for the external VFO - and was jumpered - if the external VFO was not used.  
This plug is readily available (I have 2 in my parts drawer) from Kenwood parts. BTW, they have 114 parts still available for your TS-700A (good time to get missing parts before they become - unobtainium)

http://www.kenwoodparts.com

E05-0901-05   TS-820 9P VFO PLUG TS-520      $5.04  
==================================================
w9gb

John -

SB-200 Rebuild Notes
http://home.gci.net/~rnorgard/ampnotes.html

Tom Snowden
http://www.k0gkd.com/sb200.htm

Tom Boza, NE7X (Pheonix, AZ) has a web page on how to properly adjust the Tuner Inputs on the SB-200.  
http://www.ne7x.com/sb200/heathkit-sb200.htm

The web page takes a bit of time to load - contact him directly for the information.

He proper set-upa dn adjustments he used a Tektronix 496 1.8 GHz Spectrum Analyzer; Tektronix TR503 1.8 GHz Tracking Generator and a Tektronix DC502 550 MHz Frequency Counter connected to tracking generator AUX RF out

w9gb

This is the "No Tune" version.  You can find the manual on Skipp May's web site.  Skipp also answers specific questions.
http://www.radiowrench.com/sonic/so02180.html

http://www.radiowrench.com/sonic/

Some amateurs have converted these units (and the earlier cousins - Dentron GLA-1000 models) to the the more common EL-509 Sweep Tube-- while others are converting to the Russian GI-7b triode.  
DO a Google search on the Dentron model and you will find may links and suggestions.
http://www.radiowrench.com/sonic/so02182.html

http://wb5cys.tripod.com/id142.htm

The GLA-1000C Amplifier was the last of the GLA-1000 amplifier series sold before Dentron went out of business or possibly became Amp Supply, followed by Amp Supply's demise. There is a direct similarity between the Amp Supply LA-1000 amplifier series and the Dentron GLA-1000 lineup. Don't forget to have a look at the Amp Supply download information. The last and fairly rare GLA-1000C traded the 10-Meter band position for 160-Meter operation in Compliance with revised FCC rules.
http://www.radiowrench.com/sonic/so02179.html

w9gb

Ameritron has an entire series a products for ampflier keying
http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?prodid=ARB-704

http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?catid=6

M.A. Erickson, KK5DR web page on Icom keying interfaces - you can build
http://www.qsl.net/kk5dr/IcomKeyInterface.html

AmpKeyer
http://www.theheathkitshop.com/ampkeyer.html

Icom info page
http://www.qsl.net/icom/

George -

Ameritron has all of the information you require for the AL-80B
http://www.ameritron.com/products.php?prodid=AL-80B

as well as an electronic version of the manual for this AL-80B amplifier.  Adobe Acrobat of manual:
http://www.ameritron.com/man/pdf/AL-80B.pdf

Modifications for operation on frequencies above 15 meters (10 and 12 meters) for US models.
Instructions for this modification are available by sending a written request for "Export Modification Instructions" along with a copy of your valid FCC amateur license.
There is no charge by Ameritron for this information. Export models ship with this modification already installed and have an "X" or "Y" following the serial number.  Standard frequency ranges are indicated in the chart on page 29 of the manual.