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Reviews For: TenTec Hercules II

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : TenTec Hercules II
Reviews: 33MSRP: 1395.00
Description:
Full QSK, 500W solid-state amplifier
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.tentec.com/Amateur.htm
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00334.9
K1JD Rating: 1999-12-15
Excellent Solid State Amp. Time Owned: unknown months.
I have owned this amplifier for 3 years. It interfaces "seamlessly" to the OMNI VI and, with the auto-bandswitching cable, is essentially like having a transceiver capable of 500w+ since the only thing you need to do is turn it on or off. The only gripe I have is the noisy t/r vacuum relay in QSK mode, but full-ear stereo headphones do a good job reducing the noise level to a point where it's hardly noticeable. The fan is quiet and the amp runs very cool even during contests or long-winded CW ragchew sessions, suggesting it is very conservatively rated (by comparison, the OMNI VI PA and external PS heat sinks run HOT).
I power the amp from 12v marine batteries and a 10a charger. This setup works perfectly and is a very economical alternative to the Ten Tec 100a supply.
BTW, this amp works very well with the Elecraft K2 transceiver kit. With the K2 set for 10-12w, the Hercules II will provide 150-250w out depending on band plus full QSK.
K7NA Rating: 1999-09-16
550 watts Instant Output in a Neat and Small Packa Time Owned: unknown months.
I have owned my Hercules II for about one year. I use the TT4920 100 amp DC supply, connected to my 240VAC wall outlet. It operates flawlessly with my Omni 6+. Instant on power, smooth operation, small desk top size, relatively quiet fan. Its great! My only qualm is the clacking noise created when I use it and my Omni on QSK. I guess I'm used to using the Herc with my Icom751A on VOX where I can leasurely adjust the delay and just relax--although there is no QSK. For us ragchewers, this is ofter times quite enough. But, if you're interested in working QSK or DX and need to listen all the time, the Herc and Omni combo is great, albeit alittle noisey with the klacking relays. Not a big concern...just a comment. I'm still a VERY satisfied user!
N4LQ Rating: 1999-09-15
Plug and Play for the TenTec user. Time Owned: unknown months.
Turn it on and transmitt! No tuning and instand bandswitching with most TenTec radios. A solid 500w out and swr is not critical. Fan is almost totally silent even under heavy use. Unit is small. Power supply is huge but hides behind desk. Has built in speaker! Not cheap but very reliable and easy to use.