What should a modern amplifier look like?

[NK2F]

I have been reading this forum for a long time as it is apparent that there are a
lot of passionate and experienced hams here.

I was wondering if an amp manufacturer had a chance to start from
scratch and design a truly modern, what would it look like? Solid state or tube?
Liner or switching power supply? You get the idea.

I would very much like to hear from the group what this amp would look like. I
have set up an idea sourcing page that facilitates such product type
discussions- http://ampofthefuture.ideascale.com so please take a moment to
visit and either suggest a feature or vote on the features suggested by others.
It would be fascinating to see what such a group design effort can yield.

Again, the link to the site is http://ampofthefuture.ideascale.com

Note that to prevent spam, the site requires that you authenticate before
posting ideas. You can use your Yahoo, Gmail, or AOL accounts or simply create a
user ID and password.

Thank you for your creative thinking!

Rudy N2WQ

[WX7G]

Solid state with a switching power supply. No built-in autotuner. Simple. Like an Ameritron.

[KA5N]

Well it won't have tubes or fender skirts.

Allen

[KB1NXE]

ICOM PW-1.  We are the Borg.  Prepare for assimilation.

[G0CVL]

Transitorised, DECENT atu AND 2Kw for $1000 
Why not ?? Transitors are cheap nowdays.

[N2EY]

Transitorised, DECENT atu AND 2Kw for $1000 
Why not ?? Transitors are cheap nowdays.

The problem is that high power RF transistors aren't cheap nowadays. Not in the quantities needed to run 2 kW.

There's also the need for all sorts of protection circuits so you don't blow them up.

73 de Jim, N2EY

[K5TR]

The problem that I see with 1500 watts and solid state is keeping the device(s) cool.  This is even harder at high duty cycles such as contest operating.  The amount of air you need to move across a heatsink is huge and will generate a lot of noise.  Water cooling seems like it might be the answer.

You need to keep the transistors much cooler than you need to keep tubes.

 

[G3RZP]

I think K5TR has hit the nail on the head. Cooling is the problem, especially for something like RTTY contesting. I believe some Rohde and Schwarz FM broadcast transmitters use multiple modules with water cooling, and for 1500 watts, you'd need something like that - or some BIG heat sinks and fans.

[AD4U]

I think a "modern" amplifier should look like (and perform like) my Alpha 77SX.  'Nuff said.

Dick  AD4U

[NR4C]

Or maybe it will be like the soon to be released and much 'talked about' Elecraft KP500.  Five hundred watts, builtin linear power supply and fits in a K3 sized cabinet.

This has my interest.


...bc

[N4RSS]

It should look pretty

[NK2F]

Or maybe it will be like the soon to be released and much 'talked about' Elecraft KP500.  Five hundred watts, builtin linear power supply and fits in a K3 sized cabinet.

This has my interest.


...bc

Honestly, other than replacing tubes with transistors, I don't see the KP500 as a break-through design. Some of the suggestions on the IdeaScale site on the other hand are innovative, such as K1TTT's suggestion for built-in bandpass filters to aid SO2R and M/M stations or the proposed advanced antenna selection.

http://ampofthefuture.ideascale.com/

Rudy N2WQ

[K6AER]

A modern amplifier will still have to meet the tenets of useful design, marketable cost plus keep the FCC happy.

This no easy chore. In the desired column you have the following

Low Cost.
High Power
Low IMD
Quality Construction
Ease of Use
Small Size
Light Weight
Quick Tuning
Rugged Design
Computer Control
Ease of Repair
Quiet Operation
QSK
Efficient Operation
Great Styling
Four Year Warranty
FCC Type Acceptance

Now for the hard part…You can only have eight from the list. Chose carefully pilgram.

This should be a great thread.

73 Mike

[W7ETA]

My amp of the future will look exactly like my amp from the past, Alpha 77DX--it does everything I need an amp to do.

 Plus, if it breaks down, I can fix it.

73
Bob

[KH6DC]

Solid state, precision built with attention to detail, built-in autotuner better than an Ameritron called Tokyo Hy-Power.