I had one of those amps at one time and I remember thinking as I used it 
that I'm glad I'm not doing CW because of the relay noise. I've had a couple 
other amps and used some, been at stations with amps and know people who 
when they hit that PTT on the mic sometimes you hear it and I've never heard 
of an amp with a quiet relay and considering the power involved I'm not 
surprised.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 11:32 AM
Subject: Re: Amplifier Question


> Howard:
>
> The relays have always made the chatter, ever since I got the amp.
>
> I guess I just thought it was a characteristic of the AL811H.
>
> I've kind of gotten used to it with SSB, but, as I said earlier, I could
> imagine it would be really annoying with high-speed fast-break-in CW.
>
> Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Howard, W A 9 Y B W
> Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 10:45 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: Amplifier Question
>
> Tom,
>
> Is the relay chatter a new issue, or has it always been bothersome and you
> are just now addressing the issue?
>
> Howard #3
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, February 23, 2014 9:16 AM
> Subject: Amplifier Question
>
>
>> Hi, all.
>>
>>
>>
>> Well, I'd now like to tap into the wisdom of the group on an issue I 
>> don't
>> know a whole lot about, so please bare with me.
>>
>>
>>
>> As I think many of you know, I use an Ameritron AL811H tube-type 
>> amplifier
>> with my TS590 HF setup.  I also have an ARB704 buffer box in the circuit,
>> to
>> protect the relay circuit in the TS590.
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm actually very happy with the setup, although tuning the amp can be a
>> bit
>> tricky at times, even with the TW1.
>>
>>
>>
>> Anyway, the AL811H has a relay circuit that is rather noisy when keying
>> and
>> unkeying.  This is apparent on SSB, and even more apparent on CW.  In
>> fact,
>> the noisy relay circuit is one of the main reasons I don't like to use 
>> the
>> amp when in CW mode, due to the constant and rather annoying relay
>> chatter.
>>
>>
>>
>> My question is this:  Do solid-state amplifiers have relay circuits in
>> them
>> that are as noisy, or do they tend to be quieter?
>>
>>
>>
>> There is no way I have the money in my budget right now to purchase a
>> solid
>> state amp, since I believe they can run into the thousands of dollars, 
>> but
>> I'm wondering if this might be something for me to think about in the 
>> long
>> term?
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm looking forward to all of your observations and suggestions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tom Behler:  KB8TYJ
>>
>>