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write your own review of the Ten Tec Centurion.
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AB3CX
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Rating: 3/5
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Dec 23, 2006 07:15
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Issue
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Although this amp is a fine performer, Hams should be aware of a quality issue that exists with the power transformers for the Centurion 422B made 2004-2006. The long term in house transformer winder left thecompany sometime within the past 3 years, after which transformer making was outsourced. A number of Centurions from the past few years then had transformers go bad with shorts. Ten Tec just began replacing these with new units last week. Mine was a 2004 Centurion in which the power transformer shorted for no apparent reason. Because I am a second owner, so the cost to me was over $500 in repairs. Paul Clinton at Ten Tec was not very helpful, and blamed this problem on anything and everything(arc, power line surge, lightening) except the ongoing quality issue. Other people in the service department were more honest with me about the issues, and gave me the full explanation. Although I was initially told the company would not charge me full replacement cost, eventually they did. The replacement took 3 months to get, during which time I was amp-less. I suggest that if you are considering buying a recent 422B, that you find out from Ten Tec if the power transformer is from one of the questionable lots according to the serial number. I'm done with Ten tec after this experience.
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N1SU
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 20, 2006 19:36
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Still the best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I liked my first Centurion so much I bought another one.
1300W+ on SSB. Easily produces 1200W on CW as shown by my LP-100 N8LP wattmeter. Cooling design is excellent - plenty of air flow to keep the anode seal, pins and envelope cool. The anode choke is right in front of the fan.
Paired with a TenTec transceiver QSK CW operation is outstanding at any speed.
The PEP wattmeter is nice to have for SSB operation.
Never had ANY trouble with mine. Always ready to go, no complaints.
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NO9E
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 6, 2006 20:11
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Good buy!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Mine is an early model.The fan was loud to me, after owing a SS amplifier with no fan. The replacement fan was not quieter, and IC on the QSK board became damaged in the process. Parts from the TenTec service dept came free and I repaired the board myself. I also added a thermostatically controlled fan according to an article by Bill Hutchinson. This makes the fan quieter although not inaudible. The fan comes to full speed at 150 F exhaust. Perhaps part of the problem with the noise is that the amp is on the left side, venting directly into my ears.
I like the quiet switching and smooth QSK. Tuning by the numbers is very fast, especially with the "low power" key of Mark V Field. Metering is not especially accurate. Meters show much less power on 10m than on other bands but an external measurement with a dummy load shows an identical amplification on 10 and 20m: about 13 times in CW.
I enjoy using the amplifier. Compared to my previous 500W solid-state amplifier, it needs tuning, but this makes perfect SWR unnecessary. Also, despite only about 4 db more gain, I feel that I am noticeably more successful in pileups.
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W0RER
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 28, 2006 18:52
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Most Excellent Indeed
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I, too, like KY6R, have the Centurion matched up with an Orion II and both products have worked perfectly together. It is a rock and roll station to be sure!
Simply put, I agree with the previous reviewer: Most Excellent indeed!
David, W0RER
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KY6R
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 28, 2006 16:24
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Most Excellent
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I had a Titan III before - which was very nice, but moved and have a much smaller shack. This amp is also fantastic - like the Titan III, is very well built and has the perfect "footprint" for my smaller shack. Paired with the Orion II, and I am in nirvana.
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N1SU
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 16, 2006 12:22
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The quintessential modern 3-500Z amplifier
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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Very quiet.
Perfect QSK – hot-switching is impossible using the keying loop.
1200W output.
The placement of the fan provides optimal cooling for the transformer, tubes and tube pins.
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AB3CX
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 26, 2005 19:35
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Like It!!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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I am using the early version of the Centurion, which has one shortcoming only from my point of view. The amp does not have an ALC output, so the user needs to be sure to turn down the exciter output when switching from barefoot. The amp has not given me a bit of trouble. Never any arcs, no excess heat, and the unit is quiet and solid. Tuneup is easy. The QSK arrangement with my Yaesu 1000 Mk V requires an external keyer which keys the amp; the QSK board then keys the transceiver via the KEY OUT jack once the relay in the amp has completed its closure. This works great and the signal reports are FB. So it functions as a full QSK system. My transceiver sees a near perfect match on all bands so the tuner in the transceiver is unnecessary. I did use it in QSK for a while by letting the transceiver transmit ground output key the amp. Signal reports were fine, but I did not want to worry about any hot switching. On SSB, I go PTT mode. The amp puts out 1200 watts no sweat with 25-30 watts drive. I have accidently put too much drive into it briefly, but never hurt the input circuit, so it's a tank. TEN TEC staff answered all my questions, even though I bought it used. The new version with the ALC output should answer anyones concern about accidental overdrive. These are available at times for $1500 which seems like a real bargain to me.
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KE6PID
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 29, 2005 12:45
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Good Value-Trouble Free
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I can honestly say this amp is great. I have had no problems with it at all. It's a classic grounded grid design with 2 3-500 tubes. It will easily produce rated power on the lower bands, however up on 10 meters it's down a bit. Maximum is about 800 watts on 10, but since I don't run the amp at full output often this has not been an issue. BTW, the amp as delivered will not work on 10 meters, but Ten-Tec will provide an input board and instructions on how to modify it with the appropriate credentials from the buyer.
I especially like the way the amp is finished, nice large meters, a peak reading LED bar graph power output indicator and smooth feeling geared drive and tuning controls with log scales. Inside it's well built with conservatively rated components. Layout allows for pretty easy servicing. Classy.
I have found the harmonic content of this amp to be surprisingly low, I measured the spurs and all were down at least 60 Db from the main carrier. It should play nicely in a suburban environment. I have also noted it�s pretty broad in the tuning department, you can QSY within the band without needing to retune most of the time.
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KE6PID
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 3, 2005 10:37
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Hard to beat
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The amp is great. Easy to tune, well built, all around a great value. Going on 6 years, no problems. Works as advertised.
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AD3G
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 30, 2004 10:37
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Wonderful amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Probably the best pair of 3-500 's amp made today. Tunes easy,super quiet,famous TT service if needed. It's a shame TT didn't design it with a higher plate voltage for a little more output,but conservative design probably means a much longer component lifespan.
They're a little pricey when new,but a bargain on the used market when you compare them to new price,grab one if you can find one,you won't regret it. Mine is 10+ yrs old and never had any failures of any kind,and it has A LOT of hrs. on it. Very dependable.
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