[Amps] Most power ever run on amateur radio :-)

[Glen Zook]

At the old Collins Radio Company Antenna Division here at the then "new" corporate headquarters in Richardson, Texas, they were often testing the 3 MHz to 30 MHz log periodic antennas using a Collins KWM-2A and a 308U-20 linear amplifier.  The 308U-20 had a minimum output power of 20,000 watts.  Since the antennas needed to be checked over the entire frequency range, the technicians were authorized to use any, and all, frequencies in the 3 MHz to 30 MHz range.

The technicians occasionally did transmit within the amateur radio bands.  But, their most favorite frequency was "CB" Channel 19.  They would give a test transmission with about 200,000-watts e.r.p.  After the test transmission, the frequency would be absolutely quiet.  Then, various "CB" operators would say something like "what was that".  Of course, the technicians just "had" to make a few more test transmissions on Channel 19 before testing on other frequencies in the 3 MHz to 30 MHz segment.
 
Glen, K9STH


Website:  http://k9sth.com


________________________________
 From: Vic K2VCO <k2vco.vic at gmail.com>
To: amps at contesting.com 
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 11:10 AM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Most power ever run on amateur radio :-)
 
A friend of mine, now dead, who worked for the Israel Broadcasting Authority told me that he once put one of their transmitters on 40 meters at 10 kW. The antenna was one used for SWBC and aimed at the US. He said that the guys he worked simply didn't believe that he was where he said he was.