Print

[W5GA]

According to the latest issue (Dec 2022) of CQ Magazine, Henry Radio amplifiers has changed hands, no longer being owned by Ted Henry W6YEY, who has retired to Colorado.  The new owner is Bob Burchett WB6SLC of Torrance, CA, and Henry Amplifiers has moved to his factory in Torrance, under the roof of NovexComm, makers of radio rack mounts.  Bob says an HF high power SS amp is in the works under the Henry label for 2023.

[VR2AX]

Interesting, I checked their contact page and it seems to say they are no longer in LA. Wonder if we can expect a 2020s solid state improved version of the 8K.

[W3PX]

Was just reading this on QRZ the other day:

https://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/the-demise-of-henry-radio-is-greatly-exaggerated-bob-wb6slc-says.837831/

[VR2AX]

I think he might be also responsible for "death and taxes"

I had the privilege of a tour of the Hf amp factory in 96. Separate from the shop at South Bundy. More back street, I almost imagined the men in black to come and escort us back to the hotel.

[VE7RF]

Ever worked on a henry 2K4-A ?   It's the most convoluted dog's breakfast ever designed, bar none.   Helping a buddy who's working on one right now for an old timer.  2 days and 16 hrs later for a rebuild...and still not done. Stupidest metering and bias scheme ever designed.   32 x components hanging off the grids alone.   Cathodes of both 3-500Z's in series.  "Bifilar" fil choke is next to useless, it's not even bifilar wound.  W0VMC sez he's replaced at least 40 of those fil chokes.

The  3k/ 8K ultra is another dog's breakfast.

[VR2AX]

You make a fair point about some of the designs. Probably not intended to last that long. I have a 3000D deck to be given some attention when time and space permit.

[VE7RF]

You make a fair point about some of the designs. Probably not intended to last that long. I have a 3000D deck to be given some attention when time and space permit.

Oh, they will last alright. The overall design on henry amps is convoluted.  Some of the dumb stuff they do in their amps will make your head spin.  It's like they were stuck in the year 1957.  The good news is, for the most part, it's all fixable.

[KA4DPO]

Ever worked on a henry 2K4-A ?   It's the most convoluted dog's breakfast ever designed, bar none.   Helping a buddy who's working on one right now for an old timer.  2 days and 16 hrs later for a rebuild...and still not done. Stupidest metering and bias scheme ever designed.   32 x components hanging off the grids alone.   Cathodes of both 3-500Z's in series.  "Bifilar" fil choke is next to useless, it's not even bifilar wound.  W0VMC sez he's replaced at least 40 of those fil chokes.

The  3k/ 8K ultra is another dog's breakfast.

I had a Henry 2K years ago and as I recall, it was a pretty simple design.  The only reason I sold it was that 3-400 tubes were becoming hard to get, I think they are nearly impossible to find now.
 
Anyway, there was no way to sub 3-500's in it, they are too tall and would not have fit in the cabinet without cutting the top out of it.

The good news is that the old Henry power supplies were over built for the job, that was their strong point.

[KD6VXI]

Ever worked on a henry 2K4-A ?   It's the most convoluted dog's breakfast ever designed, bar none.   Helping a buddy who's working on one right now for an old timer.  2 days and 16 hrs later for a rebuild...and still not done. Stupidest metering and bias scheme ever designed.   32 x components hanging off the grids alone.   Cathodes of both 3-500Z's in series.  "Bifilar" fil choke is next to useless, it's not even bifilar wound.  W0VMC sez he's replaced at least 40 of those fil chokes.

The  3k/ 8K ultra is another dog's breakfast.

Lol.

I bowed out of that 'conversation' when I was informed he wasnt going redesign the entire amp and it's works fine for 50 years.

I politely pointed out that he rebuilt it 7 years ago and left.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

[VE7RF]

Ever worked on a henry 2K4-A ?   It's the most convoluted dog's breakfast ever designed, bar none.   Helping a buddy who's working on one right now for an old timer.  2 days and 16 hrs later for a rebuild...and still not done. Stupidest metering and bias scheme ever designed.   32 x components hanging off the grids alone.   Cathodes of both 3-500Z's in series.  "Bifilar" fil choke is next to useless, it's not even bifilar wound.  W0VMC sez he's replaced at least 40 of those fil chokes.

The  3k/ 8K ultra is another dog's breakfast.

Lol.

I bowed out of that 'conversation' when I was informed he wasnt going redesign the entire amp and it's works fine for 50 years.

I politely pointed out that he rebuilt it 7 years ago and left.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

The only thing rebuilt was the new sockets, that the old fellow installed.  The blower had crapped out, while he was out of the room....and solder melted the fil pins on both tubes.   I think I have narrowed it down to one feedthrough cap..that has shorted.  That would explain the zero bias condition, and sucking stupid amounts of idle current.  When it goes into this mode, the amp can't be driven, and input swr rises to infinity. That's indictive of an open on the dc grid current path.

The entire amp is a stupid design imo.  The blower was replaced with a 75 cfm dayton, with ball bearings.  Runs real quiet, and he can feel the air 3' above the cabinet.  Perforated top lid on RF deck.  Plenty of airflow. OK, once the real top lid is installed, a 1/2" above the perforated lid, airflow is highly restricted, due to narrow slots, not enough of em etc.

Interestingly enough, it has bandswitch positions for both 75m..and also 80m.  Biggest problem with that amp is you can't get at anything.   The entire bias setup is installed inside an explosion proof box.  No grommet used on wiring harness, where it splits like a 'Y'.   Sharp edges where one leg passes through...dumb setup.

[KB8VUL]

Yeah, but guys love em.  And when you talk to people and ask what to buy with 'deep pockets' everybody says Henry.  And a good number of them never owned one.  That's the power of marketing. 

And the funnier part is if you want to go balls out there is the 8K.  But by God, don't get on here and discuss a DIY box with a 3K or as you know a 6K tube.  Because that's just too much, and not legal, and blah blah blah.  But get a Henry 8K if you want a good amplifier.....

[VE7RF]

Yeah, but guys love em.  And when you talk to people and ask what to buy with 'deep pockets' everybody says Henry.  And a good number of them never owned one.  That's the power of marketing. 

And the funnier part is if you want to go balls out there is the 8K.  But by God, don't get on here and discuss a DIY box with a 3K or as you know a 6K tube.  Because that's just too much, and not legal, and blah blah blah.  But get a Henry 8K if you want a good amplifier.....

The 8K is a dog's breakfast.  The only ones that actually worked correctly, or sorta close to it, are the very last ones made, prior to Henry radio losing it's lease.  5600 no load,  4700 under load...@ 1.25 amps.  yeah, that's superb regulation alright. (my HB supply  drops 50 vdc)  There is no tuned input, it's just 2 x un-uns back to back.   There is no tune cap at all.  They used modified solenoid contactors, and grounded the cold ends of both the tune and load cap padders. ( they ran grnd strap from the shorting bar, to chassis).  You don't ever want to work on one of these things.  At least 6 x versions out there.