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| Reviews Summary for Collins 30S-1 |
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Reviews: 8
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Average rating: 5.0/5
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MSRP: $1,556.00
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Description: HF Linear Amplifier
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More info: http://
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write your own review of the Collins 30S-1.
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ON4ALV
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 26, 2008 11:46
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Super!
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Without any doubt the best amplifier ever!
Got mine from Land Air Communication and it is worth every penny!(as is the excellent service from Land Air Communication,for international deals!)
This amplifier is build like a tank with ample reserve in operating capacity and components of the highest quality. Collins grade indeed.
Short; Collins quality not found any more!
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TUBEHAM
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 5, 2008 17:31
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Incomparable
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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This is the best amp ever made. It loafs along at legal output. The ALC output control with Collins exciters is genius. The audio is unmatched. And the design, construction, and quality are robust, even by Collins standards. Plus it looks great. I can't even imagine what it would cost to build and sell a new 30S-1 today.
The only problem is finding a nice one to buy. I suggest replacing all of the original electrolytics and diodes first thing.
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W9CTY
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 8, 2006 18:24
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Not bad for an old guy
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've been using my 30S-1 since the day I bought it, 41 years ago. It is a constant reminder of the quality that Collins shipped out of its Cedar Raids plant on a daily basis....in fact, it's where I picked up mine. It's built like a tank, but only weighs half as much (owners laugh here!) It's gotten me through more pileups than I can remember....and coupled with a KWM-2 the audio is unmatched by anything on the market today.
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N6YE
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 2, 2006 13:10
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Built like a battleship!!!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I had the pleasure of using the Collins S Line while I was stationed at the US Army Maintenance Command, Naha Okinawa, September 1964 to February 1966. The amateur radio station in our company was KR6CF, which I operated many hours running phone patches back to the states for military personnel. Also ran patches for the Navy guys on the USS Coral Sea. Collins equipment was always reliable! If you can find a 30S1 grab it! It will never let you down. Ken N6YE
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AD5QP
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 3, 2006 11:31
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Super, Reliable Amp
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have had the 30S-1 for a number of years now. Absolutely no problems. Have just added a 330uf filter in parellel with C204, the screen supply filter, and it increases the sideband punch. I clean it and oil the fan motor every 6 months or so, and it just keeps on working. The smell when it's operating is so reminiscent of the old equipment. I think it's the coatings on the transformer..... I am driving it now with a TS-850S, and it loves it. I traded a Henry amp for this and I think I got the better deal.
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WA4HHG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 2, 2004 16:54
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Great Amplifier, from a kinder time
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have had my Round Emblem 30S-1 for 14 years with only 1 problem, the diode for the grid current metering opened. Easy fix, hard to find the diode. It is mounted on an unused set of lugs on the POWER switch.
There is little better than running my "S" Line with this amplifier on a cold winter night on 40 or 75M. The room is filled with the smell of warm tubes.
At any rate. Have kept with the 4CX1000 PA v/s going to the 4CX1500. Reason? The cooling system on the Collins was engineered to be dead quiet and to do that, pushes just enough air through the fins of the PA to remove the heat generated when the amplifier is loaded to 1KW INPUT. The 4CX1500 has a greater fin density which results in not as much air flow.
Also, one has to remember this fine piece of equipment uses a TETRODE for a PA. The loading/tune up procedure is basically the same but the operator must monitor Screen and Grid Current. Screen current is always a negative deflection. If it goes positive, the amp is flat-topping. The grid current rating of the 4CX1000 is essentially zero. To keep from buying an expensive ceramic tetrode, the amplifier can never be allowed to draw grid current.
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WA6BOB
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Rating: 5/5
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Dec 21, 2002 07:00
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The Best
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned this Collins 30S-1 for over 30 years as well as maintained it in perfect condition. The 4CX-1000 has been replaced with a 4CX-1500A for easier handling in the RTTY mode.
It is great for its continious duty when needed as well as its overkill in interlock safety, design, and true linerity.
I also subscribe to the Collins email for any updates or notes of recommendation. If you have the opportunity to obtain one, do so and refurbish it to the max. It will make the central point of conversation many times around.
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KC4CLD
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 9, 2001 00:54
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The best ever built!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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SOME SPECS:
Collins 30S-1 HF Amplifier. 80-10 meters. 1000 Watts PEP.
Total coverage band:
80 meters position: 3.5-5.0
40 meters position: 6.5-9.5
20 meters position: 9.5-16.0
15 meters position: 16.0-22.0
10 meters position: 22.0-30.0
RF INverse feedback for better linearity and Automatic load control assuring a clean signal.
My Review:
A month ago I was lucky enough to find a used Collins 30S-1 in mint condition al all rebuilt by his former owner who is very sick and was selling all his ham equipment.
The Collins Radio equipment, including the 30S-1 is better built both mechanically and electrically than most HN amplifiers on the market today, performs well at its power level and doesn't require much maintenance not ever troubleshooting. Not to mention that you signal will the best and clearest one on the air compared with ANY other HF amplifier today.
This babe push out 1000 watts very easy and uses the Eimac 43X1000A as the only tube.
The components in the 30S-1 have NOT way to compare with the today's amplifiers and this explain why the US Military depended long time for Collins Radio in the World War II and later in the Cold War.
If you are able to find a Collins 30S-1 in good working condition, go for it. You will own not only the best amplifier ever built but also a very nice piece of the American Radio History that will make yourself proud.
Go for it!!!! If you can find one.
Nobody and nothing...can't beat a Collins Radio!!!
No way Jose!!!
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