[VHFcontesting] Dumb question about Mirage amp

[Zack Widup]

Hi Steve,

I have found running QRP in most contests that I can work almost everyone 
I can hear with 10 watts IF that station has his beam pointed toward me.

A station running a kW or even 100 watts may be audible to me but he just 
isn't going to hear me if his beam is pointed somewhere else.

That's one of the frustrations of running QRP-Portable.  Sometimes you try 
to get the attention of a loud station with his antenna pointed away but 
never do.

What antenna are you using and how long is the boom?

73, Zack W9SZ

On Sat, 5 Jan 2008, k4gun at comcast.net wrote:

> Thanks to all for the responses.  Between the replies that made it to the list and the private replies, I've been given some great information.  I should probably explain why I went with the amp.  I'm aware that the difference between 50 and 100 watts isn't dramatic.  The antenna I am using is claiming a 6.8 dBd gain and I'll have it at roughly 19' above the ground.  Allowing for loss and optimism, I had figured on 6 being closer to real world gain.  That means ERP of 200 versus 400 watts.  Given the choice, I'd prefer 400.
>
> That wasn't the only reason though.  During my practice runs, I noticed that some stations would boom into my radio but others were barely audible, even with the volume at maximum.  Even though the preamp in the Mirage isn't optimal, its better than nothing and could mean the difference in copying and not.
>
> It came down to a realization that I would get a modest improvement in TX and a modest improvement in RX and would only cost $100.  I can always sell it and upgrade later but this seemed like a good place to start.  I'll also be upgrading the antennas for the next one as well.
>
> One private reply was from a guy who owns this exact combination of amp and radio.  From what he said, I shouldn't have to use the remote at all.  The rf output of the radio will key the amp.  I'll give this a shot and see how things function.  Apparently, I shouldn't blow anything up this way as long as I have the rf out to minimum on the radio.
>
> As usual, this list has been quite helpful and I appreciate all of it.
>
> Steve
> K4GUN
>