Give Me More Power, Scotty!
Well, today I did some 'horse trading' and swapped an HF amp, which is useless to me in my current QTH, and obtained a VHF amplifier. I was looking for at least 100-watts and a mobile platform and found an RF Concepts RFC-2-117. This amp takes 10-watts input and puts out up to 170-watts.
Here's the amp:
I also tested the 7-element 2-meter beam last night to check into the North Texas Sidewinders on Two (SWOT) net. When Bob, W5FKN in Decatur, TX opened the net by reading the preamble, I was able to copy him while he was turned due south of me. This is the first time I've ever been able to hear him until he starts turning towards Tulsa!
Also, the beam picked up check-ins from Houston and Shreveport which I could not normally hear. I kept switching back-and-forth using my new 2-position Diawa switch going between the Big Wheel and the beam. So, I've proven that reaching some of the major population centers from my limited neighborhood setup is definitely possible.
The new Diawa CS-201 switch is rated up to 600 MHz with a 0.12dB insertion loss and a power handling capability of 500 watts. It was very important to find a switch with low loss so I can go between my 2/440 EZFactor halo and the duplexer that connects the 2-meter and 70cm beams.
Here's the switch:
Things are really coming together for the rover. I have always heard that the first rule in VHF contests is to "be loud on 2 meters". This equipment should help achieve the goal.
Here's the current planned layout for antenna switching to include the amp:
73 DE Korey--WA5RR
Burkburnett, TX
Here's the amp:
I also tested the 7-element 2-meter beam last night to check into the North Texas Sidewinders on Two (SWOT) net. When Bob, W5FKN in Decatur, TX opened the net by reading the preamble, I was able to copy him while he was turned due south of me. This is the first time I've ever been able to hear him until he starts turning towards Tulsa!
Also, the beam picked up check-ins from Houston and Shreveport which I could not normally hear. I kept switching back-and-forth using my new 2-position Diawa switch going between the Big Wheel and the beam. So, I've proven that reaching some of the major population centers from my limited neighborhood setup is definitely possible.
The new Diawa CS-201 switch is rated up to 600 MHz with a 0.12dB insertion loss and a power handling capability of 500 watts. It was very important to find a switch with low loss so I can go between my 2/440 EZFactor halo and the duplexer that connects the 2-meter and 70cm beams.
Here's the switch:
Things are really coming together for the rover. I have always heard that the first rule in VHF contests is to "be loud on 2 meters". This equipment should help achieve the goal.
Here's the current planned layout for antenna switching to include the amp:
73 DE Korey--WA5RR
Burkburnett, TX
so did you have to fine tune the amp when you started using it?
ReplyDeleteI put it on a dummy load and adjusted the power output on the driver. 150 watts output will do fine.
DeleteThis is one of the finest amps ever made. I am running a pair of them, and have never had any problems at all.
DeleteThank you for the reassurance. I just got around to testing it today and it puts out 160 watts at only 5 watts input. It looks like a winner!
Delete