Steve, I think you were very lucky.
I imagine they tested it on a dummy load before sending it back.
With modern shutdown technology, I can't imagine that even a bad SWR would
do that.


-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Steve Forst
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2015 4:20 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Amp parisitic board failure

Just curious if someone more knowledgeable  than me might know what happened
to my  amp.

Sent my AL-80B to Ameritron for service after hearing an arcing followed by
a burning smell.

Just got an e-mail that  a cap on the parasitic board had failed and board
was replaced.  $57 plus shipping.

Just wondering what might have caused this.    As I recall, I heard the 
arc when I switched from standby to operate, and  would smell the burning
odor anytime RF was  put to the amp.

Amp is 6 years old.  Just one of those things?    Maybe just a bad 
component?

Anyone run into something like this before?    I know there could be a 
number of reasons, or maybe no reason, but I'm just curious.

73, Steve KW3A