[BC] The last of the tube 1000 watt transmitters

[Powell Way]

I guess that would be the Gates BC-1H and the RCA BTA 1S ( or did the 
1R3 have solid state stages) and the McMartin.  In the Gates and RCA 
those were early solid state designs, and in the Gates the 
transistors would blow if there were storms within 40 miles. The RCA 
a friend of mine worked on had low drive in the audio stages, but it 
worked. This was the small RCA with glass covers and vents for each 
tube. That box ran really hot. It was retired for a SS rig. Actually 
the mod transformer failed, and they went on the BTA 1R! until the 
new box came in and the 1R1 sounded better.

I am not sure what Collins then Continental made?  I know there was a 
20V3 that wasn't as pretty as the earlier models. I don't know if it 
had solid state parts or not. That 1 KW Continental had
5-500 tubes, and you could go to 4-400's with a modification. I heard 
from those that did the mod that tube life was very short and it 
didn't sound as good. Someone had one, converted back to 5-500's put 
in the new tube spares and got a solid state TX and relegated it to standby.

Powell