Note
QST, May 1964, inside back cover.
QST, Dec 1965, inside back cover.
QST, Feb 1968, p. 111.
QST, Jan 1969, p. 125.
CQ. Mar 1969, p. 16.
The National NCL-2000 is a heavy-duty, desk-top linear amplifier manufactured by the National Radio Company, introduced in mid-1964 at an original retail price of $585 with its power supply built directly into the unit.
The 2 KW PEP linear covered 80–10 meters. It was also rated at 1 KW, without restriction, on CW, AM,and RTTY. The amp used a pair of 8122 ceramic tetrodes. The internal power supply operated from 115 or 230 VAC.
Power Ratings: The amplifier is rated for 2000 watts Peak Envelope Power (PEP) input and 1300 watts peak output to the antenna across all covered bands. For continuous modes like CW, AM, and RTTY, it is rated for a full 1 kW average DC input. It also features a dedicated 1 kW tune-up mode to facilitate legal adjustment under FCC power regulations.
Tube Complement: Output power is generated by a pair of RCA 8122 ceramic tetrodes engineered specifically for high-power SSB operation. Together, they provide up to 800 watts of plate dissipation, allowing linear performance with minimal distortion.
Drive & Grid Circuit: It incorporates a passive, untuned grid circuit. This design accepts driving power ranging from 20 watts up to 200 watts peak, making it compatible with a wide variety of exciters and transceivers.
Built-in Dummy Load: Because of the passive grid circuit layout, the unit can function as an internal dummy load. Operators can tune up their exciter safely with relative power indicated on the front panel multi-meter while the amplifier's high-voltage plate power is turned off.
Switching & Relays: The NCL-2000 includes internal changeover relays designed to work with either standalone transceivers or separate transmitter-receiver setups. If plate voltage is removed or turned off, it automatically bypasses the amplifier circuit to route the exciter directly to the antenna.
In 1977, long after the NCL-2000 had been discontinued, Hamtronics somehow acquired a number of NCL-2000 amps as new-old-stock, and ran an ad stating "National is Back." QST, Nov 1976, p. 131. The ad also listed the NCX-1000 and HRO-500, and ran until May 1977.
References
See National's notes: QST, Apr 1964, p 101.
See National's notes: QST, May 1964, p 113.
See National's notes: QST, Jun 1964, p. 111.
See National's notes: QST, Jul 1964, p. 117.
See National's notes: QST, Nov 1965, p. 119. (Attached)
See National's notes: QST, Mar 1966, p. 101.
References
Brief description/ Popular Electronics, Aug 1964, p .25.
Review. 73, Oct 1964, p. 92.
