I'm not exactly sure why this rule was put into place. Limiting the output
power of an amp is not difficult using ALC, but
sometimes that changes depending on what band you are running and what kind of
amp you are using. In the ARRL RTTY Roundup, low
power is defined as "150 watts or less". And there are no rules prohibiting
using an amplifier to gain that 150 watt level. I used
an amp on both radios for the Roundup for many years and got a lot of flack
about it but it was legal. However, in the past 5 or 6
years, I have gone strictly barefoot in all low power contests. There's not
much difference between 100 and 150 watts and it's so
much easier to switch bands and move about without having to "babysit" an
amplifier to make sure it's under 150 watts.
Since NAQP is mainly a NA contest, I doubt the 3 db difference between 50 and
100 watts would make a major impact on those running
50 watts.
73, Don AA5AU
http://www.aa5au.com
http://www.rttycontesting.com
-----Original Message-----
From: rtty-bounces@contesting.com [mailto:rtty-bounces@contesting.com] On
Behalf Of Tom Osborne
Sent: Monday, December 26, 2011 5:45 PM
To: RTTY
Subject: [RTTY] NAQP RTTY
HI All
Looking at the rules for the NAQP RTTY, I see this:
"Output power must be limited to 100 watts for eligible entries. Uses of
external amplifiers capable of more that 100 watts output
is not allowed."
This rule puts a lot of people at a disadvantage as a lot of radios can't run
100 watts key down continuously. I know with my
TS-450's, I usually have to run them at 40-50 watts when running, or they get
awfully warm.
Even then I have an extra fan that I keep on the back of the radio. During a
regular HP contest, I have to crank the exciter down
to around 40 watts or so and keep the amp around 250-300 watts to keep it happy.
Do they think people will cheat if they are able to use an amp? I would love
to be able to turn on the amp and crank things down to
100 watts. Sure would keep the equipment cooler and happy.
If someone is going to use an amp illegally, they will do it whether the rules
allow it or not. I just don't see the reasoning of
saying an amp can't be used if kept to 100 watts or less. 73 Tom W7WHY
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