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[AMPS] Advice about what linear to buy

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [AMPS] Advice about what linear to buy
From: ac6tk@cybertime.net (J. Bradshaw)
Date: Mon, 8 Jan 2001 12:41:56 -0800
I don't have personal experience of the amps you described, but 
one of the great myths in radio, is that high power amps cause 
substantially more TVI than smaller amps.  

The reality is, that if you have a TVI problem at 2000 watts, you 
probably still have a problem at 200 watts and may even still have 
a problem at 20 watts.  In fact, I just recently resolved a problem 
that was evident with as little as 40 watts!  The actual difference 
between 500 watts and 2000 watts is 6 db and there is greater 
difference than that between various filters and Television 
receiver performance.  All transmitters and amps (except some 
government installations) in the US must adhere to certain levels 
of cleanliness, but all transmitters are imperfect to an extent.  
What is most important is that all equipment in the specific RF 
environment be compatible, or be made compatible.  Each 
situation has its own set of causes and cures.

TVI is a problem that has to be addressed before you buy the 
amp, as a situation can definitely be made worse.  You will have 
to get technical or keeping your own station clean will be a 
matter of luck, although you will have substantially better luck 
staying on 160-40 meters.  Commercial operators may be very 
good operators, but RF is still RF and they sometimes have to 
hire people to maintain their stations or take appropriate measures, 
or find someone who doesn't value their skills.  

Jim,
ac6tk
http://surevideo.go.to

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Nilsson & Partners AB" <oes@npartners.se>
To: <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2001 11:36
Subject: [AMPS] Advice about what linear to buy



Hello out there!
I am considering buying another amplifier.
Today I use an old Seltron ( a swedish copy of Collins L1).
I almost ever use i as I use to manage with 100 W.
However, now I have taken up Top Band. As most of us have
limited antennas on this band, you really need to (to some extent)
compensate this with more power.

My main interest in Ham Radio is DX-ing on all bands and modes,
Island chasing, contests and now and then also rag-shews.
When trying to work new countris (today 318) I prefer CW, but of
course also work a lot of SSB.

As most of us I have limited money to spend so I will never go for
a very big amp, which probably also will cause TVI.

I am looking for an amp with 500 - 1000 watts. If it is equipped
with full break-in / QSK, it is a very big advantage to me.

I do not know much about linears but have been told that a used one of
the models mentioned below can be a good choise:

Icom IC-2KL
Kenwood TL-922 / 922A
Yeasu FL2100Z
Drake L7

The only one that possibly has QSK is IC-2KL, but I am not sure.

I will very much appriciate any advice and/or information from you
about your opinions and experiences with the above linears.

My station is rather "ordinary" for a DX-er station with an ICOM 765 as
well as an ICOM 706 MKII together with antenna tuner, paddles and other
things you
usually find in a shack. On my 60 feet Versatower is one Mosley Classic 33
(3 el. tribander), a 3 el six meter Yagi and finally a D3W rotable
dipole for the WARC-bands. A month ago I put up L-verticals for 80 and
160 meter. On 40 meter I use a dipole about 12 meters over the ground.

Many thanks in advance and Best 73 de

Ken / SM7CQY in southern Sweden.

PS Forgot to tell you that I am a rather untechnical person but hopefully
   a better operator. DS



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