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Reviews For: Index Labs Super Senior

Category: Transmitters: Amateur radio

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Review Summary For : Index Labs Super Senior
Reviews: 7MSRP: $1430
Description:
PLL frequency control 375 watt duo-band 160/80m or 80m/40m AM only transmitter.
Product is in production
More Info: http://k7dyy.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
1574.9
WA3VJB Rating: 2023-02-14
Wholesome AM from high-performance transmitter Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I bought this transmitter as a backup to a 1946 Collins 300-G that I use on 75 and 40 meters. Listeners could not tell any difference in sound and signal between the Collins, a broadcast transmitter, and the Super Senior, currently in production for Amateur and military use.

After passing that test, I knew I was onto something good.

The proprietor of Index Labs, Bruce Franklin, K7DYY, has told me that a 49 meter version of this transmitter has been sold to the U.S. Department of Defense for regional information broadcasts in Europe. He says the monoband DoD version is de-tuned to 250 watts for continuous duty.

The ARRL flagship station W1AW also has an example of the Super Senior, the 80/40 model, as part of a buildout of the station's AM infrastructure in recent years that includes the use of AM on 7290KHz for weeknight voice bulletins. The transmitter was also the subject of a QST magazine Product Review.

At my station, the Super Senior is configured for the same 600 Ohm balanced line level audio input as the Collins broadcast transmitter. This allowed an easy comparison between the two transmitters, using the identical audio chain.

To achieve a wholesome AM sound, I use an Orban Optimod 9105A, an audio processor that was sold to international shortwave stations for use on HF. The unit minimizes the problem of asymmetrical modulation that can aggravate distortion during QSB. The audio passband is also shaped to respect the spacing of shortwave stations on the dial. Both parameters coincide with desired goals on Amateur HF.

To hear what the Super Senior sounds like, this recent video provides a sample. The audio track is the actual "air signal" recorded from the KiwiSDR internet receiver system.

https://archive.org/details/7276-kc-am

SUMMARY:
Positives include light weight, healthy power, great audio, energy conservation from the wall socket.

Negatives include substantial overload protection that can cause outages when a fault appears. Earlier models had a drifting RF output power level in the first half-hour of use, that made it hard to set the matching audio level.

CONCLUSION:
Highly recommended for those who can meet the rig's technical requirements. It wants a 50 ohm non-reactive load, audio that is carefully set and controlled, and a user who can confidently monitor the transmitter's output as if meeting broadcast-quality standards. This rig deserves it.

N2DTS Rating: 2021-09-30
very good but has issues Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Great audio, great efficiency, no heat generated, built in vfo is stable and spot on.
Small and light.
It will not tolerate any swr at all, you must tune all the swr out before trying to operate it, even in the tune position which puts out about 40 watts.
Less power (tune) seems harder on the transmitter then full power.
Full power seems to be about 250 watts carrier, 1000 watts pep roughly.
Audio spikes also trip the protection, say bump the table or microphone.
When it trips, there is no indication, no light, no buzz, rf just stops going out.
If your antenna has anything going on, touching tree's or bad connections, arcing, it WILL trip the protection.
Fets are cheap and very easy to replace if you blow one, very easy to work on.

A lot of good in the transmitter, just a few issues.
For 250 watts it only takes less then 5 amps on 120vac and generates no heat, and you can hold it in one hand easy, tty that with a boat anchor!
KA4KOE Rating: 2020-10-25
Does the Job Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have nothing but praise for this transmitter. The manufacturer responds to questions quickly. The transmitter is reliable. As long as you watch your modulation peaks and tune into a resonant antenna, you should have zero problems. The rig just does what it is designed to do....produce power with a very small shack footprint.
K6KBE Rating: 2017-09-10
VERY GOOD Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Got mine last month and have used it on both 80 and 40 meters. Audio reports are great. Only issue is the occasional trip on modulation peaks, and I am tailoring my audio processing to correct that. Otherwise, it is GREAT.
WA2DTW Rating: 2016-12-26
Great audio reports Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I purchased the 160/75 version of the Super Senior several years ago. It is a light-weight, convenient powerhouse of a rig. Many spontaneous compliments on the audio quality (using a D104 with Bruce's original audio processor). One ham that I worked put a video of my transmission on youtube. Originally the 5kc interval between allowable frequencies on the synthesizer, but since then I modified to the new 1 kc interval.
W6OM Rating: 2016-12-25
Excellent Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Bruce is a brilliant engineer and honest businessman. He replaced my first Super Senior with a new one. Many hours of AM operation on 40 and 75 meters. I am so pleased with the transmitter I cannot say enough good things about it or Bruce. Like AM? This is the way to go.

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Earlier 0-star review posted by W6OM on 2016-09-30

The Super Senior 80/40 version is simply not ready for prime time. Mine has been back 4 times and still not right. Great piece of engineering but not reliable for more than two weeks. Index Labs lacks QC and the ability to understand the customer experience. Save your money and buy an old reliable boat anchor.
NS5F Rating: 2015-06-23
Top Qualityy product and value Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
After playing around for a couple of decades with a wide variety of legacy AM transmitters ranging from Johnson Rangers, Globe King 500s, and a few broadcast transmitter conversions I finally decided I was tired of keeping these old rigs in operation. Old transmitters are fun but are much like old cars, fun to drive but you'll spend more time under the hood than in the drivers seat.
After looking around for an affordable solution I finally narrowed it down to the Super Senior.

The Super Senior from Index Labs is an excellent example of quality engineering and a fantastic "bang for the buck". The "super" covers the two most popular AM bands 160 and 80 meters with a whooping 375 watts of carrier and EXCELLENT PDM modulation. Plus it takes up only 4 rack spaces and weighs 10 pounds! 10 pounds is less weight than the HV choke in any plate modulated tube rig HIHI

I have owned my second hand Super for around a year and have always received great unsolicited comments on my audio quality. This using a D-104 with the DYY microphone processor. While I have several racks of audio processing equipment available including an Orban AM Optimod, I've just not felt the need to use them. The Super lives up to it's name in every respect.

Recently when my super developed a problem I inquired about service. Bruce (Index Labs) said send it in. I ask about costs and Bruce said "warranty" (free) even AFTER I told him I was the second owner..WOW!!! You won't get that kind of support from ANY of the major manufactures..

If you wishing to try a legacy mode like AM, or if you are tired of keeping your old AM rig patched together and are looking for a top quality AM transmitter with TOP NOTCH support that doesn't require two men and a mule to move around, I highly recommend the "Super Senior" as well as ANY product from Index Labs. The "major" manufactures could learn a thing or two from Bruce as his product and his support is one of, if not THE finest available at any price.

When Bruce introduces his new 80/40 transmitter, I will be one of the first in line to buy it. As a former broadcast Chief Engineer I can tell you this is a top notch well engineered transmitter and the best money can buy period...73 NS5F