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[Amps] QRO Balun?

To: <amps@contesting.com>
Subject: [Amps] QRO Balun?
From: 2 at vc.net (2)
Date: Tue Apr 15 15:17:23 2003

>
>> I have read the comments on the use of an RF transformer to step up the
>> output impedance of the PINET simply for the purpose of trying to get away
>> with an undersized loading capacitor. This sounds like a bad idea to me, for
>> the following reason.
>>
>> This imposes a requirement to design and build a transformer capable of
>> handling 1.5KW over a decade+ of frequency, with low losses. It can be done,
>> but just barely and at a high cost. I would appreciate some hard facts from
>> someone (preferably an owner of one of these amps) from which I could make 
my
>> own calculations of the potential insertion losses.
>
>Almost all transmatches and "antenna tuners" built for the last 25 + years 
>have such a transformer; only wired in reverse. No need to re-invent the 
wheel 
>here.  They work fine as long as power limits are not exceeded. Every 
transformer
>has losses, but I doubt if it is anywhere near 1 db.
>
>I have always questioned the claims in the QRO advertising about harmonic
>attenuation attributed to this device, and their inference that this is a 
quasi-
>Pi-L network. It is actually a simple Pi network, and measuring the harmonic
>attenuation should bear this out.
>
?  Phil --  The claim is undoubtedly inane.    I would take this 
statement to mean that either the advertising writer who made the claim 
knows little about amplifiers, or that the person who designed the 
amplifier knows little about amplifiers, or all of the above.  

>The inclusion of this transformer in the QRO products was most likely an
>economic decision. Cost savings in variable and fixed capacitors in the
>loading section, as well as a gain in chassis space were probably weighed
>against the cost of the 4:1 transformer. Also, since this transformer is 
>at D.C.
>ground potential, the need for a safety RF choke in the output is eliminated.
>
>(((73)))
>Phil, K5PC
>
>
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-  R. L. Measures, a.k.a. Rich..., 805.386.3734, AG6K, 
www.vcnet.com/measures.  
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