[Amps] FW: Acom 2000A - typical output power?

[Mark Bitterlich]

>> On Sat,9/17/2016 5:35 PM, Mark Bitterlich wrote:
>> And if I may, I've always had tremendous respect for FCC rules and 
>> regulations, but that said, comparing a gent who has Rhombics facing each 
>> cardinal direction fed with 1500 watts, compared to some poor soul with a 
>> dipole running his home brew pair of 4-1000's or even a 3CX10000..... No, 
>> it is not legal... but when trying to bust the pile-up,  I get it.  Just 
>> sayin.

> On Saturday, September 17, 2016 11:02 PMJim Brown" 
> <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com replied:
> The FCC Rules say "Output Power", NOT ERP (except on 60M).  How can you 
> say you have "tremendous respect for FCC rules" and then say you run 
> illegal power when you think you need to?  :)  The Rules encourage us to 
> build better antennas. And how many "gents" do you know with ANY Rhombic, 
> let alone Rhombics in multiple directions? Even one Rhombic takes a lot of 
> real estate! IMO, this sort of thing is mostly urban legend and rumor --  
> the "oft-repeated lie" that is taken as truth. Or maybe I've led a 
> sheltered life.
>
> I've worked a fair number of DXpeditions with 5W, some of them pretty 
> rare.  My highest gain antenna is the smallest 3-el SteppIR. I also run 
> legal limit in contests where I'm seriously competing. :)

My fault.  I should have left that paragraph out.  Yes, I know what ERP is 
Jim.  The FCC effectively says 1500 watts ERP with an isotropic radiator and 
unlimited ERP with any amount of antenna gain that can be achieved.  So 
obviously the way to go is antenna gain.  To answer your question, you are 
again correct in that I don't know of anyone with four Rhombics.  I do know 
two fellas's with one, and I have used a 3 curtain version on 40 meters to 
work Vietnam reliabily on RTTY back in 1972, so they're out there.  But, 
they are rare as you point out.  You are incorrect quoting me as saying that 
I run illegal power.  I never said that.  Or rather, I guess I never 
admitted it.  I do remember running 150 watts as a Novice when the limit was 
75.  I should have guessed the truth when I blew out the 100 watt light bulb 
I used to load it up. :-)  3dB over.  Bottom line, a lot of folks here are 
talking about amps producing 2000 watts or more.  ANYWAY, working 
DXpeditions with 5 watts is a marvelous accomplishment!  Good on ya. 
Regardless, once again you are correct as I should have said: "I have a 
tremendous respect for *MOST* FCC rules".  I'd have even more respect if 
they would just start enforcing the darn things.  But then, (way off topic) 
I'd like to see the code requirement come back, I'd like to do away with 
published  questions and answers, with an exam that has a goal of testing 
for prerequisite knowledge and not memorization, and I'd like to draw and 
quarter Dick Bash.  :-)   Thanks for correcting my mistakes.

Mark Bitterlich
WA3JPY