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Reviews For: Linear Amp UK Discovery GS31

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - 6M/VHF/UHF+

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Review Summary For : Linear Amp UK Discovery GS31
Reviews: 3MSRP:
Description:
2 METER VALVE AMP
Product is not in production
More Info: http://linamp.co.uk/discovery.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0034.7
M0ITX Rating: 2021-06-14
No-frills power ! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Bought this 2m gs31 amp about a week ago from a local ham for a very reasonable price.
I'm guessing it's around 15-20 yrs old and wasn't as heavy as expected,definitely easier to move than my Acom 1000. The Discovery provides no-frills power ..i need around 600w to give me max legal uk power of 400w at the antenna,due to a 70m length of LD-F450 and it does this with ease,and about 25w drive,so the rig and amp should run relatively cool.
My only issues are the fan noise and tune knob is very loose,so easily moved unintentionally,so i will stick a felt pad between knob and front panel to add resistance and feel when tuning,not that it needs much retuning,but is quick and easy when done.
The Fan noise is amplified through the chassis and case and transmitted through the feet,onto the shelf/desk where it sits,so i've replaced the feet with large,soft rubber feet normally used for hifi turntable isolation. The case occasionally rattles because there are slight gaps between case and chassis,so i've glued a couple of pieces of felt in the areas required. These two little mods have quietened it down quite a bit,plus i'm probably getting used to the increased noise over the Acom 1000,which is a very quiet amp.
This amp gives me low cost,no-frills power and if it proves to be reliable,then i'll have ticked all the boxes and be very happy.
M0ZMX Rating: 2019-12-02
Solid performance Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I picked up my Linear Amp UK 2m (GS-31) discovery amp from a gentleman ham that was converting to solid state. I must admit that I had been looking to go solid state myself (like I have for HF). Boy am I glad I didn’t.
Now on HF I’m constantly changing from one band to another, and not having to change amp settings is a real
Time saver. On 2m however, I move around so little that a retune takes seconds (sometimes not even necessary).

Am I glad I didn’t spend out all that money on solid state?, well yes I am. 16-18w of drive gives 400w, and clearly the amp is just loafing Long. The GS-31 Valve appears to be ‘At Spec’, and I’m sure this amp will continue to perform well for many years to come.

It made me chuckle when I read the instruction manual and it states to initially tune this amp with 20w of drive, and the initial tune should produce circa 400w.. (ok?, well that’s that then,,, done..) after the initial tune up I back off the exciter power to keep the amps output below 400w!!!!... no wonder the valve is at spec still, it’s probably never had to work hard at all... I like that, and it gives me piece of mind.

I saved in the region of £1000.00 compared to buying solid state, the amp will be here for many years to come.
If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a decent used discovery, grab it with both hands and run!

What a lovely amp, 5/5
M0CKP Rating: 2008-11-12
VERY GOOD Time Owned: more than 12 months.
THIS AMP WORKS VERY WELL.
15/20 WATTS IN 400 OUT ALL DAY
ONE SINGLE GS31 VALVE WILL NOT BREAK THE BANK ON WHEN IT NEEDS CHANGEING