[Amps] SWR & OPEN WIRE

[Carl]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alek Petkovic" <vk6apk at bigpond.com>
To: "Mr. and Mrs. Magoo" <magoo at isp.ca>; <amps at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2009 10:10 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] SWR & OPEN WIRE


> At 07:25 AM 24/04/2009, Mr. and Mrs. Magoo wrote:
>
> snip
>
>
>>We have become too focused on SWR, IMHO.  Unless you run a BIG amp and 
>>are
>>worried about heating/arcing etc an "SWR reading" well above 3+:1 
>>won't have
>>much effect as long as the amp can find a spot where it is 
>>"comfortable" and
>>you can tune for peak output/minimum plate current.
>>
>>Bill, VE3NH
>
> Yeah, that's dead right. You match the source impedance (amplifier
> output) to the load impedance (coax, tuner or whatever) and maximum
> power transfer takes place. That's all you need to worry about.
>
> 73, Alek
> VK6APK


That is so absolutely simple but many seem to not grasp it. Its almost 
like modifying an amp to do do the most efficient transfer is some sort 
of sacrilige.

An analogy would be a race car. The engine, transmission and rear end 
ratio all have to work together if you want to be competitive. You match 
the driveline to the particular track. If you dont change things you are 
a perennial loser.

Simple, no?

Carl
KM1H