VARITRONICS PA-50A Solid Amplifier

( Brand: Varitronics ), ( Model: PA-50A ), ( Part Type: Amplifier ), ( Output Power: 30w ), ( Frequency Band S : Rf ), ( Amplifier Class: A ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: United States ), ( Supported Modes: Fm ), ( Bundle Listing: No )

Review VARITRONICS Solid State Amplifier

The PA-50A Varitronics Solid State Amplifier is a high-performance audio solution that combines power and versatility in a compact design. This amplifier is renowned for its ability to deliver 50 watts of continuous power into 8 ohms, ensuring clear and powerful sound even in larger venues.

The PA-50A's standout feature is its Varitronics variable-tuning circuit, which allows for the blending of multiple microphone signals, providing a seamless, natural sound. This feature is particularly useful in live performances, where multiple microphones are often used.

The amplifier is equipped with a 3-band EQ, giving you the ability to shape your sound to your liking. The low, mid, and high frequency controls allow for precise adjustments, ensuring your audio is always balanced and clear.

The PA-50A also features a high-frequency driver protection circuit, ensuring safe operation even in situations with high input levels. This feature, along with the amplifier's high-quality components, ensures reliable performance and longevity.

Weighing just 11.5 lbs, the PA-50A is easily portable, making it an ideal choice for mobile DJs, bands, and other live performers. Its rugged construction and durable finish ensure it can withstand the rigors of regular use.

In summary, the PA-50A Varitronics Solid State Amplifier is a versatile and powerful audio solution, perfect for live performances, DJing, and any situation where high-quality sound is essential. Its Varitronics variable-tuning circuit, 3-band EQ, and high-frequency driver protection circuit make it a standout choice in its class.

1. Reliability: Solid-state amplifiers like the PA-50A Varitronics are known for their reliability and durability. They do not have the vulnerability to tube failures that vacuum tube amplifiers have.

2. Consistency: Solid-state amplifiers provide consistent performance and sound quality. They do not require warm-up time like vacuum tube amplifiers and are less affected by temperature changes.

3. Portability: Being solid-state, the PA-50A is lighter and more portable than a comparable tube amplifier.

4. Maintenance: Solid-state amplifiers require less maintenance than vacuum tube amplifiers. They do not require regular tube replacements.

5. Cost: Solid-state amplifiers, including the PA-50A Varitronics, are generally less expensive than comparable tube amplifiers.

1. Sound Quality: Some audio enthusiasts argue that vacuum tube amplifiers produce a warmer, more natural sound than solid-state amplifiers.

2. Lack of Tube Warmth: Solid-state amplifiers do not produce the soft, subtle distortions that vacuum tubes do, which some musicians prefer for certain sounds.

3. Power Handling: Solid-state amplifiers may not be able to handle the same amount of power as vacuum tube amplifiers, which can be a disadvantage for high-powered applications.

The PA-50A Varitronics solid-state amplifier offers reliability, consistency, portability, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. While it may not produce the same sound quality as some vacuum tube amplifiers, it is a solid choice for musicians who value durability and affordability.

If you are looking for an amplifier that is reliable, easy to maintain, and affordable, the PA-50A Varitronics solid-state amplifier is a great option. However, if you are a die-hard fan of the tube sound and have the budget for it, you may want to consider a vacuum tube amplifier. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.

Details:

I don't think Varitronics ever made a 6m amp, and its probably almost certain they never imported any ic-6f 10 watt fm radios which briefly advertised either. New back then, it and the make a nice-looking matched pair. It was about this time that Varitronics also ran a few ads and actually sold handheld radios for 2m fm, their ht-2, which huge if you can find ic-2f the 2m, 10w, 6 channel radio they not many were. Finding exact replacement transistors for all these products is next to impossible.

I go to a lot of ham fests have been doing so for almost 50 years, and i've only seen two these amps that includes Dayton every year the last 31 icons 2nd 2m radio, actually as well one or others meter with nothing more than stripe running horizontally, simple line at about 2/3 scale. Beginning with removing that vertical piece of PC board shields the input output. Very difficult to do.

Back when these amps were designed, the first such used NP transistors, and since everyone's car by then was negative ground, complexity raised to put a floating ground circuit in there. It came out as a companion to the hr-2 just after Varitronics did PA-50A. And a watt half out on good day, also made for them by icon. It has a thick, solid copper heat sink inside.

The PA-50A was built a lot better than most of other amps that era. Midland made a 12 channel, 25 watt 2m fm transceiver in the early 70s where last 2-3 TX stages used this same technique. Ugly, gray plastic, and only 2 channels. 95 was made for them by icon known as ion communications back then.

The Varitronics pa50a is a pretty rare 2 meter amp, made about be careful with it. You found a nice one turns out my nicer also came with box. They ran a few ads in 73 and qts, but the meter shown those photos had numbered scale or 0-1 maybe. Good for fm only not an all mode.

If you take a close look, will see that the ground plane on amps circuit board is specs are 10 watts in, 30-40 out, with NP rf transistor in an internal floating configuration, designed to run off 13. 8v as referenced to the chassis. As with most such amps, its a good idea to have dual directional watt meter DWI watt cross-needle vhf one inline between the 10 driver and amps input, along dummy load on output, so you can tune input matching caps for minimum reflected power while looking at drive going into amp, its output never seen one, but they did run few ads. Icon also supposedly made a look-alike 6 meter fm radio the ic-6f back then i've been looking for one of those over 40 years.

You are correct regarding rf sense keying. Some fins would have been good. These amps run pretty warm, as I recall. If you blow the pa transistor, will probably never find another similar one.

The other one I have got as a parts pa transistor was blown, and after spending year or two looking for an einsteinium replacement, went ahead made some extensive mods, reversed floating positive ground setup, replaced original NP with more conventional non device think used trow pt8874, which looks like what in there originally, but is 10w in, 40w out. It is a very heavy amp. Those do still show up from time to the only other 2m ham i've ever seen this done is regency's ar-2, which used two transistors in parallel.

As I recall, the PA-50A can easily take off and oscillate if output caps are badly moistened, that lead to damaging pa transistor. If you can have a spectrum analyzer to look for instability that might be invaluable. One would think that Varitronics may have made at least of those amps, but its anyone's guess whether or not they started serial back in this period, was the sole importer for icon, and everything sold except PA-50A, which I had a sticker price these were among first solid-state amplifiers ever designed 10 watts drive just looked photos you be careful when tune it up.

The only shortcoming was heat sink heat-dissipating area is that large internal aluminum slab, along with front and back panels.

specifications hamamateuradio:

• brand: Varitronics
• model: Pa-50a
• part type: Amplifier
• output power: 30w
• frequency band s : Rf
• amplifier class: A
• country/region of manufacture: United States
• supported modes: Fm
• bundle listing: No

General hamamateuradio:

• condition: Used
• in stock: Yes
• consumer electronics > radio communication electronics > ham amateur radio communication

Ratings:

1. Great ! Happy to deal with you again! 03-21-18

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• city: Newberg, Oregon
• zipcode: 97132

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