small amps

[kb9rqz]

I ahve looked at my attnena which match many of the nearby by hambeing 200fet and tuning weel acoross the longer bands but most folks are running 200 to 300 watt and I can runn 100 where are these smaller ammps the smallest step up I am seeing is 600 watt from the sub of MFJ some of the locals are using radio with more powerfull 200 watt finals but how would one get in the 200 to 400 wat range on mf/hf bands from what I hget on a local hf nets some folks think Id be with an amp in that range as I am starting to just climb out of the late afternoon static on 80 I know I can hear lot of folks but alomst no one seems to hear me I hate the idea of realing too much on raw power but it woud be nice to be heard instaed of just making digital QSO where everyone on the bands I have been using is limited to no more than 2x my power level

ny advice of amps that might serve in this range would be helpfull in evulating my options

[K1OU]

I ahve looked at my attnena which match many of the nearby by hambeing 200fet and tuning weel acoross the longer bands but most folks are running 200 to 300 watt and I can runn 100 where are these smaller ammps the smallest step up I am seeing is 600 watt from the sub of MFJ some of the locals are using radio with more powerfull 200 watt finals but how would one get in the 200 to 400 wat range on mf/hf bands from what I hget on a local hf nets some folks think Id be with an amp in that range as I am starting to just climb out of the late afternoon static on 80 I know I can hear lot of folks but alomst no one seems to hear me I hate the idea of realing too much on raw power but it woud be nice to be heard instaed of just making digital QSO where everyone on the bands I have been using is limited to no more than 2x my power level

ny advice of amps that might serve in this range would be helpfull in evulating my options

Here's a start. Also, never buy an MFJ tuner.


http://www.eham.net/articles/15566

[kb9rqz]

I ahve looked at my attnena which match many of the nearby by hambeing 200fet and tuning weel acoross the longer bands but most folks are running 200 to 300 watt and I can runn 100 where are these smaller ammps the smallest step up I am seeing is 600 watt from the sub of MFJ some of the locals are using radio with more powerfull 200 watt finals but how would one get in the 200 to 400 wat range on mf/hf bands from what I hget on a local hf nets some folks think Id be with an amp in that range as I am starting to just climb out of the late afternoon static on 80 I know I can hear lot of folks but alomst no one seems to hear me I hate the idea of realing too much on raw power but it woud be nice to be heard instaed of just making digital QSO where everyone on the bands I have been using is limited to no more than 2x my power level

ny advice of amps that might serve in this range would be helpfull in evulating my options

Here's a start. Also, never buy an MFJ tuner.


http://www.eham.net/articles/15566

thanks one thing I like about this place I can always get an answer instead of a blank stare which is often the case at my local ham club

[N2RJ]

The Ameritron AL811h is a nice amp. I have one.

800w pep, runs on 120v, cheap tubes and forgiving if you make a mistake.

[w2amr]

I ahve looked at my attnena which match many of the nearby by hambeing 200fet and tuning weel acoross the longer bands but most folks are running 200 to 300 watt and I can runn 100 where are these smaller ammps the smallest step up I am seeing is 600 watt from the sub of MFJ some of the locals are using radio with more powerfull 200 watt finals but how would one get in the 200 to 400 wat range on mf/hf bands from what I hget on a local hf nets some folks think Id be with an amp in that range as I am starting to just climb out of the late afternoon static on 80 I know I can hear lot of folks but alomst no one seems to hear me I hate the idea of realing too much on raw power but it woud be nice to be heard instaed of just making digital QSO where everyone on the bands I have been using is limited to no more than 2x my power level

ny advice of amps that might serve in this range would be helpfull in evulating my options

Here's a start. Also, never buy an MFJ tuner.


http://www.eham.net/articles/15566
Never buy an MFJ anything. The only piece of MFJ gear I ever bought that worked right out of the box was paint can dummy load. :D

[kb9rqz]

The Ameritron AL811h is a nice amp. I have one.

800w pep, runs on 120v, cheap tubes and forgiving if you make a mistake.
it and the 611 are amps I am looking at nice to hear someone speak well of at least one of them

I ahve looked at my attnena which match many of the nearby by hambeing 200fet and tuning weel acoross the longer bands but most folks are running 200 to 300 watt and I can runn 100 where are these smaller ammps the smallest step up I am seeing is 600 watt from the sub of MFJ some of the locals are using radio with more powerfull 200 watt finals but how would one get in the 200 to 400 wat range on mf/hf bands from what I hget on a local hf nets some folks think Id be with an amp in that range as I am starting to just climb out of the late afternoon static on 80 I know I can hear lot of folks but alomst no one seems to hear me I hate the idea of realing too much on raw power but it woud be nice to be heard instaed of just making digital QSO where everyone on the bands I have been using is limited to no more than 2x my power level

ny advice of amps that might serve in this range would be helpfull in evulating my options

Here's a start. Also, never buy an MFJ tuner.


http://www.eham.net/articles/15566

I own an MFJ tuner. I bought it about 7 years ago. I figured there was no way anyone could screw that up.

Heh. I was really wrong.

Anyway, I follow up the tuner with another SWR bridge, and I have pretty good luck with it. The metering inside the MFJ is trash.

[kr4uq]

I ahve looked at my attnena which match many of the nearby by hambeing 200fet and tuning weel acoross the longer bands but most folks are running 200 to 300 watt and I can runn 100 where are these smaller ammps the smallest step up I am seeing is 600 watt from the sub of MFJ some of the locals are using radio with more powerfull 200 watt finals but how would one get in the 200 to 400 wat range on mf/hf bands from what I hget on a local hf nets some folks think Id be with an amp in that range as I am starting to just climb out of the late afternoon static on 80 I know I can hear lot of folks but alomst no one seems to hear me I hate the idea of realing too much on raw power but it woud be nice to be heard instaed of just making digital QSO where everyone on the bands I have been using is limited to no more than 2x my power level

ny advice of amps that might serve in this range would be helpfull in evulating my options

Buy MFJ ? You might as well set your money on fire.

[KU4MY]

I took a little look – see at this thread again and Mark, I just wanted to state the obvious and that is, if you are limited by your XYL’s sense of humor, as I am, with regard to decorating your yard and house with various towers and antennas (yagis) which will offer one heck of a lot of gain over a dipole, remember, for the station who is receiving your signal to see increased strength, you should be looking at jumps of not less than 400W per whack, as I was told AND shown by very wise old Elmer. The jump from 100W to 200W is almost negligible, but a jump from 100W to 400W or 1KW+ will be a worthwhile investment.

Anyway, back to addressing your original statement, the biggest bang for your buck and effort will be in antenna. Here is a nice little bedtime story by KJ6RZ http://www.cvarc.org/tech/powergain.html There are also many other great spots you can find on the web, but this is, though quite basic, says a lot. Remember, it’s all in ERP, not transmitted watts from the amp that will get your signal top shelf. Obviously, if your boss lady is like mine, then you will have to do what you can with your ‘no gainer’ - sky burning dipole and an amplifier, just as I am having to do....... well...... as soon as I get the dipole up that Mike was kind enough to donate to the cause.

Anywho..... per your threads title..... if by a small amp you meant boosting your VX2R from 1.5W to 35W, I would say go for it...... If you are looking at going from 100W to anything less than 400W on MF/HF, forget it, you're wasting your time and money.

[kb9rqz]

I took a little look – see at this thread again and Mark, I just wanted to state the obvious and that is, if you are limited by your XYL’s sense of humor, as I am, with regard to decorating your yard and house with various towers and antennas (yagis) which will offer one heck of a lot of gain over a dipole, remember, for the station who is receiving your signal to see increased strength, you should be looking at jumps of not less than 400W per whack, as I was told AND shown by very wise old Elmer. The jump from 100W to 200W is almost negligible, but a jump from 100W to 400W or 1KW+ will be a worthwhile investment.

Anyway, back to addressing your original statement, the biggest bang for your buck and effort will be in antenna. Here is a nice little bedtime story by KJ6RZ http://www.cvarc.org/tech/powergain.html There are also many other great spots you can find on the web, but this is, though quite basic, says a lot. Remember, it’s all in ERP, not transmitted watts from the amp that will get your signal top shelf. Obviously, if your boss lady is like mine, then you will have to do what you can with your ‘no gainer’ - sky burning dipole and an amplifier, just as I am having to do....... well...... as soon as I get the dipole up that Mike was kind enough to donate to the cause.

Anywho..... per your threads title..... if by a small amp you meant boosting your VX2R from 1.5W to 35W, I would say go for it...... If you are looking at going from 100W to anything less than 400W on MF/HF, forget it, you're wasting your time and money.
well the xyl also known as kd8ctl has not minded my festoning the house with wires a decent collection up now inclduing the 215 ft g5rv that is the main antena indeed she is sorta psuing me to add to the farm (anyone got some anttena seeds) I was looking at the smaller rnage simply becuase I know a lot of folks around me are doing etter with 200-400 was wondering if anything in that range was out there looks like not perhaps for good reason

but here right is that big one a 20m 2 element colienear 4 element colinears on 6m 10 m and trying to find a cool day to get 12 m I have thoughts of a 4 element 160m colinear I have that kind of room

[KU4MY]

Well, antenna is definitely the way to go as you have the room. Anything other than antenna is a compromise. That is not to say that antenna + amplifier is not truly golden, but, as I am sure you know, antenna is everything. My XYL, also known as KF4UIP says I can do anything I want, as long as there is no physical evidence which would preclude the use of towers, yagis, flashing red strobes during the day and white ones at night, so, the forest in the back yard is my playground.

Sounds like you are well on the road of the right path with your antenna plans to me, but, if you are still looking for that extra punch in the meantime or to bust the pile up after the new aerials are in place, again, don’t waste your time, efforts and money with anything less than 400W, but, again, that’s just my humble opinion.

[w2amr]

I ahve looked at my attnena which match many of the nearby by hambeing 200fet and tuning weel acoross the longer bands but most folks are running 200 to 300 watt and I can runn 100 where are these smaller ammps the smallest step up I am seeing is 600 watt from the sub of MFJ some of the locals are using radio with more powerfull 200 watt finals but how would one get in the 200 to 400 wat range on mf/hf bands from what I hget on a local hf nets some folks think Id be with an amp in that range as I am starting to just climb out of the late afternoon static on 80 I know I can hear lot of folks but alomst no one seems to hear me I hate the idea of realing too much on raw power but it woud be nice to be heard instaed of just making digital QSO where everyone on the bands I have been using is limited to no more than 2x my power level

ny advice of amps that might serve in this range would be helpfull in evulating my options

Here's a start. Also, never buy an MFJ tuner.


http://www.eham.net/articles/15566

I own an MFJ tuner. I bought it about 7 years ago. I figured there was no way anyone could screw that up.

Heh. I was really wrong.

Anyway, I follow up the tuner with another SWR bridge, and I have pretty good luck with it. The metering inside the MFJ is trash.
First I bought an MFJ keyer, that lasted about 6 months. Then I bought an MFJ packet TNC, that didn't work at all. Having still not learned my lesson I bought a digital MFJ antenna analyzer, that didn't work. I took off the cover and parts were parts missing . They actually shipped the thing from the factory with major components missing. The paint can dummy load is still working tho.

[W5IEI]

You can usually find a good used SB 200 that has been modded with soft key,new caps,and other upgrades for $400.00.
This amp will give you about 600 watts out very nicely.
Mike

You can usually find a good used SB 200 that has been modded with soft key,new caps,and other upgrades for $400.00.
This amp will give you about 600 watts out very nicely.
Mike

That sounds wonderful.

[N2RJ]

You can usually find a good used SB 200 that has been modded with soft key,new caps,and other upgrades for $400.00.
This amp will give you about 600 watts out very nicely.
Mike

Only thing is you have to be careful with what tubes you put in that amp, since I believe they are mounted horizontally, causing the filaments to sag and eventually break when heated.

[kf0rt]

I ahve looked at my attnena which match many of the nearby by hambeing 200fet and tuning weel acoross the longer bands but most folks are running 200 to 300 watt and I can runn 100 where are these smaller ammps the smallest step up I am seeing is 600 watt from the sub of MFJ some of the locals are using radio with more powerfull 200 watt finals but how would one get in the 200 to 400 wat range on mf/hf bands from what I hget on a local hf nets some folks think Id be with an amp in that range as I am starting to just climb out of the late afternoon static on 80 I know I can hear lot of folks but alomst no one seems to hear me I hate the idea of realing too much on raw power but it woud be nice to be heard instaed of just making digital QSO where everyone on the bands I have been using is limited to no more than 2x my power level

ny advice of amps that might serve in this range would be helpfull in evulating my options

Here's a start. Also, never buy an MFJ tuner.


http://www.eham.net/articles/15566

I own an MFJ tuner. I bought it about 7 years ago. I figured there was no way anyone could screw that up.

Heh. I was really wrong.

Anyway, I follow up the tuner with another SWR bridge, and I have pretty good luck with it. The metering inside the MFJ is trash.
First I bought an MFJ keyer, that lasted about 6 months. Then I bought an MFJ packet TNC, that didn't work at all. Having still not learned my lesson I bought a digital MFJ antenna analyzer, that didn't work. I took off the cover and parts were parts missing . They actually shipped the thing from the factory with major components missing. The paint can dummy load is still working tho.

I've got an MFJ antenna analyzer and it works well, but it's really cheaply made. I always treat it with care for fear that it will fall apart. Got an MFJ "resistor in a box" dummy load that's fine -- hard to mess that up.

Tuner, though? Went with a Palstar, no regrets. I've never even had the cover off that thing.

[KU4MY]

You can usually find a good used SB 200 that has been modded with soft key,new caps,and other upgrades for $400.00.
This amp will give you about 600 watts out very nicely.
Mike

Only thing is you have to be careful with what tubes you put in that amp, since I believe they are mounted horizontally, causing the filaments to sag and eventually break when heated.

Which is the primary reason for finding yourself a SB221 instead! ;)