| N2SLO |
Rating:     |
2019-05-28 | |
| Great but be very careful |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I have three TE systems amps 1452G, 2252G and 4452G. They work great. Now the bad stuff: As discussed on here many times, the amps have ZERO protection. I just fried my 1452G again, for the 2nd time. This was my fault- I have too many radios, and many hi-power amps, work FT* and SSB etc. I was on 6M FT8 with my 9100 and was playing around with no amp but about 80 watts. The next morning, I wanted to play FT8 on 2M, so I powered on and transmitted. Well, you know the story. Bye Bye driver transistor. I also have a Beko 1KW, so that is now my 2M amp. I am not going to spend money for the 3rd time to get this fixed. Dave at TE is great, he has seen my amps many times and the transistors are expensive plus his labor and shipping to CA. Dave should include protection, although the price would go up but that's OK. Summary- a great amp but if you make a mistake its toast. |
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| VE6MB |
Rating:      |
2019-05-23 | |
| Very effective. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've owned TE systems amplifiers in the past but had always purchased them used. This is the first unit purchased brand new (from factory). Note: TE systems webpage is notoriously out-of-date; this includes the posted pricing. So, I would be lying if I didn't say that I was a bit disappointed upon learning that the current price of a 1452G is ~$100 more expensive than listed on the webpage.
However, I spoke to Dave on the phone at TE Systems and found him to be pleasant and helpful as he had processed my order.
TE Systems is one of the few remaining manufacturers of higher-powered VHF amplifiers (300-600W) They are not cheap...but you get what you pay for. My unit arrived well packed and operates exactly as expected.
Current manufactured units (as of this date), now use a large Anderson Powerpole connector (instead of binding posts), and the remote accessory port on the back (for remote control, or remote keying) now uses an RJ45 jack, which is more common.
This particular unit requires a very stout power supply, as it is operated at 13.8VDC...the current draw will be ~55A. The supplied power cable is about two feet long and probably about #8 gauge wire. Be mindful of having good quality power cables. If the stock cable is too short, use something longer but at a heavier gauge, otherwise you will experience an unacceptable voltage drop (and performance drop). Note that there is no fuse holder installed in the supplied power cord...probably because it would result in a significant voltage drop to the amplifier.
Also note that TE Systems amplifiers typically need to be operated at 14+V in order to achieve rated output. Operating mine with a power supply set at 13.9V resulted in only about 310W output. When I increased the output voltage of my power supply to 14.25V, it resulted in an average increase of about 35-50W across most of the amplifier's operating range....and achieved an output of 360W with 20W input (the unit is rated at 350W).
TE systems amplifiers do NOT have input protection. This particular unit is rated for an input of 10-25W (25W max)....don't push your luck and try to over-drive it. In my case I was able to achieve rated output (350W) with approximately 16W input, and 20W input only achieved 360W output (a modest increase of only +10W).....I see no reason to try and drive the amplifier with any higher Rf input -- there will be very limited benefit.
Lastly, I would recommend prospective buyers to use a fan on top of the heat sink -- particularly if heavy use (digital modes) is anticipated.
All-in-all pleased with the amplifier....it meets my expectations. |
|
| WO2C |
Rating:      |
2016-04-30 | |
| Great so far. |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I purchased both a 0552G & a 1454 amplifier directly from TE Systems. The amplifiers arrived in separate boxes, both extremely well packed, in just over a week.
The 1452 has worked flawlessly for the few days I've had it on the air. At 65-75 watts in, it delivers 325-350 watts out across the 2 Meter Band. While I purchased it with 2 Meter CW/SSB in mind, I've experimented with it and found that it delivers as much power on FM for those times I work FM simplex. (Yes, 99% of the time, it's ridiculous to use that much power on FM simplex. But, I like knowing the amplifier can handle it without overheating). Speaking of overheating, it hasn't yet, though I added a large computer fan overtop the heatsink as a precaution. From what I know of this amplifier, it's capable of more that 350 Watts. However, because the radio I'm using to drive it (an Icom 746) is known to produce damaging voltage spikes to TE Systems amplifiers, I operate it well within safe parameters.
On receive, the pre-amp makes a genuine difference. I've used it both with the radio's built-in pre-amps and without.
It's impossible to write a thorough review of a piece of equipment I've used only a few times. But, so far, I'm very pleased. 73, Ray, WO2C |
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| K7ULS |
Rating:      |
2015-08-19 | |
| Still going strong |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Owned since 2010 with over 190 EME qso's numerous MS for hours on end with a fan on top to avoid meltdown. Internal preamp works great provided not too much coax. And to remember do not overdrive and make sure swr on antenna is under 1.7 before introducing amp this can take out transistors and Dave charges a lot to fix them.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K7ULS on 2010-09-03
26 EME qso's so far with this amp with either a 2m12 or 2m7 at moonrise. Have a cross flow fan on top to keep it cool when running WSJT and input around 21 watts = 375 out.
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Earlier 5-star review posted by K7ULS on 2010-03-23
Got this amp a couple weeks ago got the 1452GS with the higher duty rating for running WSJT EME 24 watts in and 350-400 watts out depending on frequency. Number of EME qso's so far most recent using a single M2-2M7 to a 4x12 800w station at moonrise. I use an Astron RS-70m to power it up.
Thanks Dave
http://tesystems.com/ |
|
| W0WOI |
Rating:      |
2015-06-15 | |
| Nice mid-power 2 meter amp |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
Although the new MSRP direct from TE Systems is now $598, this is excellence in quality. Read the detailed manual FIRST. Everyone does, right? But do it and enjoy no-fault operation, 10W in gives 300+ out with a 75 amp power supply.
Quality superior to product "M". |
|
| W4KVW |
Rating:      |
2014-11-26 | |
| Great 2 meter all mode amplifier! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| Had one of these amplifiers for several years & it never let me down.It gave my ASTRON RS-70M power supply a workout & Yes it even made the fan in the ASTRON come on several times during band openings & some Meteor Scatter.They are NOT cheap but perform well for a small package & I don't remember ever hearing anyone on SSB or FM that I could not work with this amp inline.Very Quiet Gasfet preamp as well.Mid sized power house for 2 meters & very dependable.By far the BEST 2 meter amplifier I have ever owned! |
|
| K4MSG |
Rating:      |
2013-08-22 | |
| Great amplifier! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Purchased to replace my workhorse 1412G, this amplifier is everything I hoped it would be. I use it on single-Yagi 144 MHz EME and it easily gives me 2 dB better average reports (using JT65b) than I usually got with the 1412G. Dave at TE is so great to deal with and the amplifier is well-constructed & solid.
I second another comment about using a fan; I consider it mandatory. Just buy a 4-inch or so 12-vdc muffin fan, use 8-32 long screws for legs and put some shrink tubing on them, and place the fan in the center of the heat sink facing down. I usually install a 30 to 50-ohm resistor in the "+" lead to drop the fan speed but the resultant cooling is more than adequate.
Make sure you have a 70 to 75-amp supply with this amplifier, and use large-gauge wire (I use #10 doubled up but #6 would be better) as it can draw up to 55 amps. My supply is an MFJ-4275MV and it works great with the 1452G. |
|
| W2PRJ |
Rating:      |
2013-06-05 | |
| GREAT PRODUCT |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
| Great!! Amp Works As Advertised Gets Full Output 350 Watts With 23 Watts Drive On 144.450 and A 1.5-1 swr And Less swr On 144.200. on a 2m. Loop And The GaAs-FET Pre-Amp Works Great With Out A Lot Of Static Noise I Put A Small 10" Fan On The Amp (Lap-Top Fan) And It Doesn't Even Get Warm !!I Called TE Systems and Dave Answered The Phone And Took The Order For The Two Amps One 6 Meter And One 2 Meter They Were Both Well Packed And Shipped Out When He Said They Would Be, Shipping Was Reasonable, Purchased 09/2012 Still Performs Like New On 06/2013 Will Buy Another For The 440 Mhz Band. |
|
| N4LI |
Rating:     |
2010-09-29 | |
| Very Good. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I’m a QRP guy. There really is something fun, challenging and elegant about working with as little power as necessary. But even I would agree that life is, indeed, too short for VHF QRP.
So, I bought a 1452G. Yes, it’s a hoss. When the band opens, I can work EVERYTHING I can hear, even the weak stuff that the receive preamp makes audible. Ultimately, that’s the whole point of a VHF amp. Ain’t it?!
My experience, though, has not been trouble-free. My unit came with a bad T/R relay. It took two trips back to L-A to get the issue fixed. But, Dave at T-E was sensitive to my issue and turned the amp around in a reasonable time frame. Plus, he generally answers the phone himself.
Once I got the amplifier on-line, I have been very happy with it. The only caveat I would give (other than the overdrive issue discussed by others) is to keep the unit cool. The box makes a small footprint, so it strains to dissipate the generated heat. After a minute or two of operation, the heat sink gets VERY warm. Fortunately, a fan will keep that issue in check. But, plan on it. A fan is NOT optional.
T-E Systems products are not cheap. But, I think they are worth it.
I can’t give the 1452G a “5” considering the T/R defect. I am giving it a “4,” since there is no “4.5” option.
Peter, N4LI |
|
| W3RXO |
Rating:     |
2009-06-19 | |
| Best square foot of electronics you can buy! |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
| I rated it a 4, only because of it's lack of overdrive protection. It's a GREAT AMP!! Advertised as a 350 watt amp, mine does 400+, with about 17 watts drive, which is the most I would ever drive it with. Typically, with 10-15 watts of drive, I get 375 out. My very first contact with it was from my QTH in Pomona, to a fellow in Bakersfield, more than 125 miles, OVER THE MOUNTAINS!!! Second contact was into Santa Barbara, closer to 200 miles. I had a good receive signal on both stations already, but when I turned on the recv pre-amp, it brought them up considerably, without a noticeable jump in noise level. The receive pre-amplifier is FIRST RATE. I wish TE would build in some protection circuits, for over drive, high SWR and such. Otherwise, I don't believe you will find a better square foot of electronics gear, anywhere. |
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