The rise of rf ion generators

[3l]

Hi Folks:

I hovered for four years on the rf front for ion generation.
Now murkey light is breaking through.
The Stockli ion stuff seemed far out but it now has taken a big step into the amateur arena...cheap russian power tubes.

How cheap ?

A 1500W tetrode (GS35B) is selling for 100 bucks.
A 3,500W tetrode (GU5B) is selling for 149 bucks.
I've watched the Ebay auctions... a 1500 watt solid state rf generator unit would cost in the 1000-1900 range.
But now for a CB Radio and 220 Bucks O Parts you can build the same thing!

But want to hear the real kicker the neatest tube is the GU39B-1 tube at a whopping 13 kw for 450 bucks.
With this tube and a CB you can build a rf ion source with way more than ma's of the duoplasmatron..
At these prices the rf system is looking more economical by the minute. No filaments to break ...no electrodes to errode .

Happy Fusoring!
Larry Leins
Fusor Tech

[Starfire]

Larry
There is a EIMAC 4CW10,000A TUBE on ebay at present - if you wanna go big time - It is going for a song - $ 202 worth. ---- 3851301930

[3l]

Hi John:

I just looked at the auction
The rebuild on that tube runs 1500 bucks.
The guy selling it is whom I got my big thyratron from,he told me it will probably need a rebuild before a full power test.
He has no way of testing it!
Come to think of it the filament amperage is huge!
The Eimac folks rate it at 200 amps! or more!
Getting the support gear might be problematic tho.
The Russian dealer has all the stuff to make the units roll.
My ham buddy showed me the ins and outs of the new high power market.

Happy Fusoring!
Larry Leins
Fusor Tech

[Adam Szendrey]

The only problem with tubes is the stuff needed to make 'em work. A filament supply, HV supply, a resonant cavity container (rather complicated it seems to me) for the tube, preamplifier (for such high power tubes 50-100 W)...Plus the time it takes to fabricate the whole thing...Costs lotsa time and money.
But it is true that above a certain power, tubes start to become economical , even with all the fuss.

I can get a two channel 100 W/channel solid state RF amplifier (up to 4-500 MHz) , in box, with heatsink for about $ 180-200. A 700 W power supply that can power four channels, costs $ 80-100. The guy is not sure (he is in the middle of moving) , but the amplifiers probably have digital phase control, built in (microcontroller based).

Adam

[3l]

Hi Adam:

Here is a website devoted to ham radio.
Here is the linear section.
The amp I was thinking of is listed under 50 MHz GS35B 1500 Watt Amplifier
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/Technical ... mplifiers/
The design is excellent and well illustrated.
The guy who designed this amp did a great job cutting out expensive hard to get components by not following the same old ARRL linear design. But implementing a balanced pi network that is tuned once and the unit is ready to run!
It would be an ideal plasma amp for an ion generator.

Happy Fusoring!
Larry Leins
Fusor Tech

[jst]

My ham buddy showed me the ins and outs of the new high power market.


Great! Now how 'bout you show us

URLs please.

P.S. Neat how we think alike... instant answer from Larry

[Adam Szendrey]

Looks, sounds really fine, but a little expensive too. Also it needs a 85 W drive circuit.
When i was looking for RF amplifiers, i had been on the lookout for 300 MHz+ amplifiers for my super luminal phase rotator.
Those are a bit more complicated but not too much.
This 50 MHz unit needs the same stuff, a rather high power preamplifier, and a beast of power supply, plus the casing, and stuff.

Adam

[Mike Veldman]

How much power are you looking to generate? In what frequency range? What mode of operation?

mike

[Adam Szendrey]

1500 W, 50 MHz no? That's what that amplifier is capable of.
Oh btw, i see a big advantage indeed...no variable vacuum capacitor. But i see a vacuum relay there, though it seems to be optional. I'm sure thats an expensive component.

Adam

[Richard Hull]

I have three superlative Jennings RF HV vacuum relays should anyone need one down the road. I will get $100.00 each though they go for $$$ from Surplus Sales.

Richard Hull