"Ham op" wrote in message
...
7.78 Db BETTER [+1 1/4 S unit] than 100 watts.

Upgrade the vertical to a beam and the net gain can be as high as +19.78
dB [3+ S units] on the path:
1] + 6 dB in receive
2] + 6 dB in transmit
3] + 7.78 dB for the amplifier.

For $1400, a beam has a much better return on investment than an
amplifier by itself.

The #1 rule I teach new or aspiring hams is "Your station efficiency,
and your enjoyment, is directly proportional to your antenna."

I will agree that it is best to go with a beter antenna, sometimes it is
just not practical. Not many can put up a beam for 80 meters and not that
many for ever 40 meters. Most amps will do 80 to 15 meters. Some will go
to 10 meters. The specs for a TH3 tribander is only 5.8 db over a dipole.
That is slightly less than 4 times the power. That is only for 20,15, 10
meters. That only takes your 100 watt rig to 400 watts. An amp that is
worth buying will put out atleast 600 to 800 watts and you can almost double
that and stay legal.

If you have to pay someone to put your beam antenna, the cost will go way
over the $ 1400.

The thing of hearing a station and he can hear you is also bogus in some
cases. I was trying to work a mobile on 80 meters that was parked running
100 watts. I could hear him just fine. About 1/4 scale on my S-meter. He
could not hear me for some local (to him) qrm and qrn. By turning on my amp
we could work each other.

The amp will not let you turn it to cut out some qrm/qrn like the beam may.