| PY2ONU |
Rating:      |
2023-03-05 | |
| Built with a tank! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| Unfortunately in my radio amateur life I always had problems with linears, I had several and most had technical problems. On the recommendation of a radio ham friend who is very knowledgeable about linear amplifiers I purchased this EMTRON DX-2SP and did not regret it, the amplifier is solid, built like a tank to last! I don't usually use more than 1kw on it so it has always behaved like a champion, in fact this Australian amplifier deserves a 5 for its robustness, reliability and solid construction and quality! |
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| ZL4IV |
Rating:      |
2022-02-26 | |
| Worth every dollar! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
This is the one to have, I own a DX-3sp with the same tube and internals but the DX-2sp is my favorite.
As I service these amps I have a very good understanding of how they are constructed.
Some Hams complain about the Chinese tubes but they buy the wrong ones, there are 3 types of FU728F's and only one is suitable for these amps, email me and I will send you a photo of the three and which one suits this amp, the one in current production!
This amp will take the 4CX1500B by changing the heater voltage via a tap available but only expect the output to be 2/3 of the FU728F.
One of the reasons I give it a 5 is that the SP internals are common across the series. I have never had to replace internals, most of the time it's been a Golden Screwdriver problem.
To all those QRO operators, don't drive your amp regardless of manufacture into a reactive load your just asking for trouble! |
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| KL7AM |
Rating:      |
2016-03-13 | |
| Easy Power,Late FU-278F Version |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I acquired one that was not working. Turned out an Elderly gentleman had owned it and apparently had trouble installing the tube and had damaged the socket. Also had golden screw drivered the control board in an attempt to repair. Dan from Emtron was a great source of ready help to help diagnose problems and get it repaired. Makes lots of effortless power. 2500W SSB easy with about 60 watts of drive into a dummy load. Apparently there is still more power available but I didn't try to find out. |
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| VK4FO |
Rating:      |
2015-06-18 | |
| Perfection |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Took the opertunity to acquire a DX2SP while these beautiful amplifiers were still manufactured in VK.
The DX2SP exhibits all of the fine design and workmanship that has typified the EMTRON range over many years.
My EMTRON DX2 purchased from Rudi at the start of 2008 is still performing faultlessly and has been totally trouble free.
The attributes of the EMTRON range have been mentioned on many occasions, modular construction, interchangeable components, 4 year warranty etc. etc.
Finally I wish to express my gratitude to Rudi, a friend of 30+ years, for his outstanding contribution to Amateur Radio, not only in Australia, but worldwide. |
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| AI5Z |
Rating:      |
2015-05-11 | |
| BUILT LIKE A TANK..!!! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
When I say built like a tank, it is.
I purchased my DX-2SP from the original owner. I was told there were "...No issues and works great..."
After replacing several parts that were "fried" or "zapped", from a suspected lightening strike, before I got it. It is now working, thanks to Dan.
Dan took the time to work with me via email to troubleshoot the faulty parts.
I own an early version (10XXX SN) with a vertically mounted control board and the Svetlana GU-84b/4CX2500a tetrode.
Working on this powerhouse was easy, with Dan's guidance.
Support from Dan or Rudi at Emtron has been beyond excellent. Something seriously lacking from other companies.
Power output surpasses my experience with other like amps (ie: Alpha 9500). Consistant 5x9+++++ reports.
The GU-84b tube is costly but worth it.
They are using another tube FU-728F in the current productions, so I can't comment on those tubes or amps.
Based on my customer support experience, Emtron direct service, simplicity and output power I am giving a 5.
If you find or order one of these amps, you will not be disappointed.
Would I buy another Emtron amp...YES!!!
I am told Rudi will be at the 2015 Dayton Hamvention. Stop by and check them out.
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| VK6WB |
Rating:      |
2015-03-16 | |
| WOW factor hi |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Just bough this Amplifier DX-2SP , wow what nice amp
I have a DX-1SP also . Being so use with tha DX-1 , this DX-2 so easy to tune and 10watt input I get 550W out. My exciter is TS-990s and radio loves it , the AMP happy ... Well so do I
Don't think So I will need another Amp. It's so clean no TVI , BCI , etc etc. Zero Problem.
This Australian Made Amplifier is the best Amp out of lots.
Quality , Price and Workmenship got to be proud of.
Thanks Rudi and Dan at EMTRON . WELL DONE GUYS.
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| VK4HF |
Rating:      |
2014-08-29 | |
| My 3rd Emtron Amp |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Over 35 years of "Hamming" I have had many HF Amps and I still have 5 Tube type HF amps and 2 solid state HF Amps. This is the newer DX2-SP with the Chinese tube and it does not disappoint at all. I had a DX-3 with the russian tube and that was a real power house too. This latest offering from Emtron is still using the same modular construction as all previous amps so should the need ever arise, servicing would be an easy D.I.Y option without having to send the whole unit in for repair.
This DX2-SP is built in the same size case as the DX3-SP that runs 2 chinese tubes and as such there is plenty of room around the different stages to be able to get at everything to work on it. However, I don't see that being the case in the near future as this is a beautifully designed and manufactured piece of equipment. I ran it into a 1KW Bird Dummy Load and 3kw pep is easily achievable with about 60 watts drive and our VK legal limit comes with only 10 watts drive.
If you're contemplating an Emtron Amplifier, get your order in now before Rudi retires. |
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| ZS4U |
Rating:     |
2013-08-26 | |
| Huge and powerfull |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I took over this amp from a ham who imported it brand new and never used it. It is huge and heavy, and packs a BIG punch (2.5 kw +). It is not for the faint of hart and must be operated with care, make sure that your feed lines and antenna system can handle what this amp can deliver. It puts out a clean signal and is well built. Mine has the new Chinese mil spec tube and can accommodate 2 inputs and two antennas. It has the soft start feature, QSK and has a couple of built in protection features to safe guard your investment. It is an amp for the serious contesters - I would not recommend this model for a casual operator - rather look at the DX-1SP or an Alpha. My biggest gripe is the noise emitted by the cooling fans - although it is at a low frequency, which is perfect to be concealed on your outgoing audio, BUT, you have to crank up the receiver audio level to hear the weak stations above the fan noise...... (with headphones) It will not be noise friendly to a ham using his radio's loudspeaker.
In summary, a good, well built amp with a 24/7/365 @ 1.5 kw capability for the serious contester. |
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| K8RI |
Rating:      |
2010-07-08 | |
| Great, Rugged Amp with a clean signal! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I've had the DX-2sp now for about 4 months. I have the new version with QSK as a standard feature.Construction is modular with many components common across the line. Emtron changed to the Chinese FU728F tube, which except for the filament voltage is directly interchangeable with the 4CX1500B. Emtron has included a voltage tap on the transformer for the 4CX1500B filament. The centering pin in the socket for the FU728F is *slightly* larger than the one for a 4CX1500B, but Rudi is using custom sockets that will fit both tubes and I'd call the tank circuit a "heavy duty, work-of-art". With this change of tubes, Emtron has answered the tube availability question.
When I have e-mailed Rudi with questions he has usually called me on the phone within 24 hours unless on vacation. He even called after a couple of months to make sure I was satisfied with the DX-2sp. How many companies do that with their customers?
I have had many amps (probably far more than most) over my 50 plus years as a ham and I'd call the DX-2sp the best overall. I've received nothing but good on-the-air signal reports, the QSK has worked great so far, I've finally found an amp that is capable of "legal limit" digital 24 X 7, and I have never received this level of service from any other company.
My previous amp was a solid state KW with auto band switching and beautiful workmanship, but I prefer the DX-2sp. Would I choose a different amp were I to do it over? I might choose the DX-3sp which I could run class A and still get the legal limit out, but I am definitely happy with the DX-2sp.
To sum it up, the Emtron DX-2sp is a rugged, heavy duty amp with enough overhead to allow digital in the true "key down" 24 X 7, yet can still easily run one of the cleanest signals on the air with the drive reduced for the legal limit out on SSB and CW.
Now I just need to get rid of some *stuff* to make room for the 6-meter version, the DX-2v. |
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| VK5KLT |
Rating:      |
2010-01-10 | |
| January 2010 Update |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I have now owned the DX-2SP amplifier for almost 3 years and during that time has performed flawlessly. It works impeccably well, is stable and predictable in its behaviour, and teams well with my Yaesu FT-2000 exciter rig.
Does precisely what a high-end amplifier should do; transparently and cleanly increase the Tx power level without adding any extraneous and deleterious signal products. Never fails to receive excellent signal quality reports.
The well conceived DX-2SP model desktop amplifier is a muscular fire breathing brute with finesse; sustained bench testing shows the published spec of 2.5 kW PEP is conservative.
The DX-2SP amplifier is also spectrally very clean with typical IM3 is circa −40 dB down from PEP on two-tone testing, the IM3 and IM5 and higher order IMD products being amongst the lowest I’ve seen during bench testing with a spectrum analyser and dummy load; a far cry improvement over certain well known buckshot generating solid-state amplifiers. An increasingly important factor and consideration for QRO use with some of the latest generation SDR transceivers with their clean pure Class-A bias exciter stages and exceptionally low IMD performance.
Emtron’s professionally executed exceptional build quality and superb craftsmanship is in a unique class all of its own and a wonderful sight to behold, as is the massive high current ceramic band switch, the heavily silver plated tank components, and weighty dual loop C-core 4 kVA power transformer with Emtron’s unique phase controlled triac based soft-start circuit to control inrush current and bring the load and tube filaments up slowly and gently.
The big 1.8 kg bullet-proof external metal anode fin / ceramic Russian military GU-84B / 4CX2500A style Svetlana made tube is conservatively cooled by a quiet internal temperature controlled centrifugal squirrel cage two-speed turbine blower. When the amplifier is operated for extended periods in low duty cycle SSB PEP mode the blower seldom ever switches to high speed. The thermal engineering / heat extraction is soundly and pragmatically executed with an auxiliary sucking axial fan in the top of the cabinet directly above the tube chimney to augment the cooling in high duty cycle RTTY, SSTV, or continuous FM or digital modes.
The amp manages a frightening PEP output power if driven so. More than ample here in VK land with plenty in quietly understated reserve power! I noted during bench testing / soak test on initial receipt of the amp that my DX-2SP readily produced in excess of its manufacturer rated output into my QRO dummy load during a two-tone test and when whistling into the mike! Needless to say at more moderate / sensible power levels the amp just loafs along very authoritatively and cleanly with lots of spare dynamic range and headroom. It has impressively low IMD / IM3 IM5 products when driven conservatively. BTW, to tame and moderate back the beast I run a precision Weinschel / Narda 6 dB 50W power attenuator pad between the exciter rig and amp; which also helps keep the Yaesu FT-2000 exciter in its optimally clean IMD “sweet-spot” region. The Yaesu rig is definitely the IMD weak link in the Tx chain. This external attenuator pad also removes any risk of accidental overdrive of the high gain GU-84B tetrode by the exciter. Due to poor commercial transceiver design I don’t use any linearity / spectral purity compromising ALC on my linear amplifiers.
As the amplifier just keeps on keeping on, I expect the DX-2SP and the tough tube will outlive its owner!
73
Leigh
VK5KLT
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