[CQ-Contest] Re: Linears in the closet

[Leigh S. Jones, KR6X]

Might I point out that my intention while writing was not to find fault with
the operators
in the UK, Canada, etc.  My personal views on the use of amplifiers in the
countries
that do not allow 1500W PEP output as the USA does could probably be
interpreted
as being considerably more liberal than the views of the governments within
those
countries.  I'd frankly like to see a level playing field in contests on an
international
basis encouraged both within the rules and regulations of governments and
contest
sponsors.  For instance, I often wonder about the senselessness of rules
that dictate
that a contact between a station in Rome and in the Vatican is one point in
the
CQWW, while a contact between two distant points in the United States, or
two
similarly distant points within Russia, China, Australia, etc., count as
zero points,
even when they are not in the same CQ zone.  No, I don't find fault with the
CQWW
organizers for staying with a winning formula.

I simply have a more cosmopolitan viewpoint regarding amateur radio contacts
and their relative merits than the viewpoints that are held by DXer's in
general who
hold great pride in their country totals that, after all, are based
primarily on boundaries
that are merely political.  I sense that political boundaries may be less
important in
the distant future, and differing power limits across borders must surely
pass in the
future as well.  I'd also like to see the privileges of licensed amateur
operator's
defended as if they were rights to some degree.  Being victimized by local
city
government's rules and regulations that violate the spirit of PRB-1 (yes, I
realize that
this is only the rule of law in the US) has made me quite strongly aware
that
governments abuse authority and violate the rights and privileges of amateur
radio
operators to a much greater degree than the population in general.

In defense against abuse of amateur radio privileges by governments, I'd
also
like to suggest that anyone who reads this and has the ability to should
familiarize
themselves with the proceedings between the FCC and two former amateur radio
operators -- Herbert Schoenbohm and Kevin Mitnick.  Yes, I realize that this
does
not seem on first glimpse to be an international issue.  However, I believe
that it
truly is... In the case of Herbert Schoenbohm there may be something that
each
of us can do to advance our own personal views on the subject.  Neither of
these
two are personal friends of mine, but I believe they are on the front lines
fighting
the battle against governmental abuse of power against amateur radio
operators
and very much defending my own personal rights.  And, there may be something
that many outside of the US as well as inside can do in their support.

----- Original Message -----
From: "andrew" <andrew at gi0nwg.freeserve.co.uk>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, March 14, 2002 06:44
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Re: Linears in the closet


> In message <012501c1caf3$516b6160$963fca96 at pacesetter.com>, Leigh S.
> Jones, KR6X <kr6x at kr6x.com> writes
>
> > I have frequently seen Heathkit SB200's, Collins 30L1's, etc., in
> >photos of stations in England, Canada, and Australia for instance.
>
> Leigh,
>
> SB200s and equivalents are considered fairly small amplifiers in the UK
> today.  A pair of 3-500Zs are fairly standard, but more people are
> moving over to 3CX800s/4CX800s.
>
> I can think of a few good reasons for having an amplifier that will
> produce more than the legal limit.  Here in the UK our limit is 400W but
> my amplifier (made by Linear Amp UK.... no connection etc etc, but can
> be recommended....) is capable of much more than 400W.  Why would I want
> that you may ask.....
>
> RTTY contesting which has got to be the most severe test of an amp!!
> Even a TL922 gets quite warm running an RTTY contest at 400W (the power
> supply gets warm).  My amp runs really cool at the 400W level on RTTY so
> there is much less chance of failure during a 48hr event.  The last
> thing I want 40 hours into the contest is amplifier failure!!!!!
> Hopefully running the amp well within its limits will prevent failure.
> If an amp can last through 48hrs of RTTY contesting, it should walk an
> SSB or CW contest!
>
> To get 400W out of my amp requires approximately 20W drive which in turn
> means that the spurious outputs and other rubbish from the FT1000mp are
> greatly reduced.  So, with the radio running well within its limits and
> the amplifier well within its limits, hopefully the spectral purity of
> my signal will be that much cleaner.  The recent discussion on OO
> reports and out-of-band emissions when operating close to the band edge
> should be a wake-up call here.....
>
> Plus, if the UK ever raises its power limit, it's only a matter of
> turning the drive up a little bit more to achieve the new level instead
> of having to change the amplifier to remain competitive....
>
> Andrew Williamson GI0NWG / AC6WI
> Homepage = http://www.gi0nwg.freeserve.co.uk/
>
> One of the ZL9CI gang
> http://www.qsl.net/zl9ci/
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