[VHFcontesting] Advice needed

[John Allen]

100-200W is a good and common power level  to have on 2M.  It is enough to work meteors, WSJT, etc.

As to how to get the Pout,
It seems from my casual attention to the traffic on the VHF
mailing lists over the last few years, that the solid state
amps that are linear, break down and have poor service
from the manufacturer and many (most?) of the rest of the
solid state amps are not linear.  The RF Concepts (are they
still made?) amps seem to work, I don't know how linear they are.

Power MOSFET amps should be linear - does any ham
manafacturer make one?, and tube amps, particularly
the 8877 and other triodes can be very linear.

Tetrode amps are available surplus, running 4cx250B or 8930 or Svetlana 4cx400

I welcome suggestions to help us all out and reduce the
rotten QRM on 2M

73, John K1AE

John Allen  - Computer HW/SW/Network debugging, installation, maintenance, and upgrades www.pcsupportsolutions.com
<http://www.pcsupportsolutions.com>
Also Electrical Engineer leader / manager  - analog, digital, RF, Board, ASIC, and Signal Integrity. mailto:jallen at vhfcom.com 978
779-6189

> -----Original Message-----
> From: vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Doug Grant
> Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 7:06 PM
> To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Advice needed
>
>
> While I am somewhat experienced in HF contesting, I am new to VHF
> Contesting, so please be patient with my newbie questions, gang.
>
> I have recently installed my first-ever 2M beam, and am hearing considerably
> better than I am being heard. I called a bunch of guys on 2M aurora last
> night with no success (although working KE8FD in SC on 2M Es earlier was
> pretty cool). My IC706MkIIG's mighty 25W output seems basically inadequate.
> I am sure there are improvements in the antenna that will help (longer boom,
> better feedline, etc.), but those can wait until I improve my transmitting
> capability.
>
> I am looking for advice on what low-impact 2M brick would be reasonable...I
> have scoured the eHam and other review sites, and the TE Systems amps seem
> to be well-regarded, with service something of an issue. Other
> well-advertised brands seem to deteriorated in their quality recently.
>
> I guess I am looking for something in the 160-180 W range, and am interested
> in opinions (reply direct...don't clutter up the list, since I'm sure this
> topic has been kicked around in the past).
>
> And of course, if anyone has a suitable brick lying around surplus to his
> needs, let me know that too...this VHF stuff is interesting, but I'm looking
> for a relatively low investment in case I get tired of listening to all that
> noise...
>
> 73,
>
> Doug K1DG
>
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