I run 100w if i have to, and sometimes even turn on the amp if i want even
more, but most of the time i run less. The only exception is when band
conditions are poor and i need a little extra kick in the pants.
I spend a lot of time on PSK and SSTV, so most of the time i'm running
20-50w tops, and usually its the low end of that scale as the digital modes
are definitely a place you don't need much power.
The few times i flip on the amp on HF i only run about 500w tops. You know
the old rule about using as little power as necessary to complete the
contact, i usually apply that rule, but i have extra power if i need it with
my amps. I usually run 100w tops on 6m, but as of lately i have been
flipping on the amp and using 300-400w, can't wait for the band to improve!
I have a tuner on HF but its mainly for experimenting with antennas and for
when i want to go to one end of the band or the other and a quick touchup to
the dipole is needed, it spends most of its time bypassed with only 100w
being used.
73,
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Carter" <amps@hidden-valley.com>
To: <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, April 22, 2009 3:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] High SWR was SB-1000 tuning question
>I feel this way, too. I have a SB-220, but I only run it on 80m
> because that's the only place I have a 1:1 SWR.
>
> I have other antennas, but none of them give me a good enough match
> for me to feel confident running power into them. If I remember the
> math correctly, a 2:1 mismatch at 900 watts means 90 watts is coming
> back down the line at you, and I just can't imagine that ever being a
> good thing.
>
> So, I run barefoot on the other bands. The good news is I mostly work
> digital modes and PSK31 is wildly efficient for the contacts I expect
> to be able to make.
>
> Jeff/KD4RBG
>
> ---- Original message ----
>>Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:43:02 -0500
>>From: "KB0NLY" <kb0nly@mchsi.com>
>>Subject: Re: [Amps] SB-1000 tuning question
>>To: <amps@contesting.com>
>>
>>5:1? Why even bother running an amp if your SWR is that high. That's a
>>lot
>>of reflected power back into the shack and on your feedline.
>>
>>I know a guy that runs an amp with a huge antenna mismatch and guys that
>>hear me at 100w with a properly tuned antenna can't hear him for crap. He
>>isn't making efficient use of his power. Run all the power you want, but
>>there is no substitute for a good antenna to connect to it.
>>
>>Scott
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
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