[Amps] new amp race

[Mark Bitterlich]

 catherine.james at att.net wrote:

I'd blame this more on sunspot lows than egos.  Egos have always been with 
us, but
we are seeing unprecedented poor solar conditions.

 Bill Turner" <dezrat at outlook.com replied by saying:

The answer to low sunspots is not a bigger amplifier, it's a bigger
antenna. The biggest amp in the world won't help your reception.

markbitterlich at embarqmail.com (that would be me) writes:

I think the decision to go with a bigger amp, or a bigger antenna depends on 
just what your interests are in regard to ham radio.  If you are die-hard 
QRP operator, then obviously there is no question here, an antenna with more 
gain, lower take-off angle (etc., etc.) is going to be the answer.

If you are looking to work stations that you can't hear with the best 
receiver available, then once again a bigger/better antenna is probably the 
best choice.

But many operators here have pointed out really good examples of where 
adding additional power is a better answer and their logic is sound.  A 
really great example is working DX.  During most DX-peditions it is a case 
of the DX station hearing your signal where the noise floor has been raised 
by a staggering amount.  Of course there are many tricks involved with 
working a rare one, but running enough power is a huge factor, and the cost 
issue in obtaining that additional 10-11 dB is a lot cheaper with an amp, 
versus a foundation, a tower, a rotator, and a beam, and has been pointed 
out, the amp usually covers just about every band out there, and with DX, 
"band slots" count!

A few years ago, I started completely from scratch working DX again.  All my 
previous logbooks and QSL cards were destroyed, so after the "pity party, 
party of one", I bit the bullet and started over.  Being an amplifier 
fanatic (and let me digress by saying why else be a member of the AMPS GROUP 
if you like building antennas more than building amps?)  I spent every cent 
I had on the best radio I could buy, and then put up wires in trees. 
Straight dipoles, OCF's, end feds, coax fed, open wire fed, etc.  Then I put 
together some good amplifiers.  The result is that in two years I have 
worked over a hundred countries on 80/40/20/17/15/12/10, and have just a few 
more to confirm before I get the award.  160 meters yet to go, a whole new 
world, but I have no doubt that the amps will make a huge difference there 
as well... along with LOTS of wire!

So the bottom line is that there is no one answer that fits all conditions 
and situations.  It's a personal choice and Caveat Emptor applies.  At least 
that is how I see it, and of course I could be wrong.


Mark
wa3jpy