Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew of a solid state 2m linear amp project
that I could build. I'm looking for no more than about 30W. It'll be
primarily used for FM, driven from my handheld radio. Bonus points if
it can do 70cm too (or at least allow pass-through unattenuated...).

Most of the designs I've seen are for tubes with an output power in
the KW-range... my radio license only allows me to transmit 30W FM or
100W SSB... so these are massive overkill (and not desirable for other
reasons).

The only project I've seen that fits the bill so far is
http://www.falara.org/tektalk/GPOAmp.html which calls for a PCB made
with G10 stock. I have no idea where to obtain that here in Brisbane,
I have some blank PCB, but have no idea what grade it is, or how much
impact on performance using it would have. The MRF1946A is also
difficult to source.

Does anyone know of a good project to start on this sort of thing?

Regards,
Stuart Longland (VK4MSL)

On Aug 9, 9:38*pm, Stuart Longland wrote:
I was wondering if anyone knew of a solid state 2m linear amp project
that I could build. *I'm looking for no more than about 30W. *It'll be
primarily used for FM, driven from my handheld radio. *Bonus points if
it can do 70cm too (or at least allow pass-through unattenuated...).

Just realised I was in the wrong newsgroup... I shall re-post.

More relevant to this thread though, alternatively, does anyone know
of any commercially-made linear amps that fit this requirement, and
where they can be obtained? (I suspect they'd be more expensive than
a 30W FM rig though.)

Regards,
Stuart Longland VK4MSL

On Sun, 9 Aug 2009 04:38:14 -0700 (PDT), Stuart Longland
wrote:

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew of a solid state 2m linear amp project
that I could build. I'm looking for no more than about 30W. It'll be
primarily used for FM, driven from my handheld radio. Bonus points if
it can do 70cm too (or at least allow pass-through unattenuated...).

Most of the designs I've seen are for tubes with an output power in
the KW-range... my radio license only allows me to transmit 30W FM or
100W SSB... so these are massive overkill (and not desirable for other
reasons).

The only project I've seen that fits the bill so far is
http://www.falara.org/tektalk/GPOAmp.html which calls for a PCB made
with G10 stock. I have no idea where to obtain that here in Brisbane,
I have some blank PCB, but have no idea what grade it is, or how much
impact on performance using it would have. The MRF1946A is also
difficult to source.

Does anyone know of a good project to start on this sort of thing?

Regards,
Stuart Longland (VK4MSL)
You don't need linear operation for FM. This should increase the
number of choices you have.

John Ferrell wrote:
On Sun, 9 Aug 2009 04:38:14 -0700 (PDT), Stuart Longland
wrote:
....

The only project I've seen that fits the bill so far is
http://www.falara.org/tektalk/GPOAmp.html which calls for a PCB made
with G10 stock. I have no idea where to obtain that here in Brisbane,
I have some blank PCB, but have no idea what grade it is, or how much
impact on performance using it would have. The MRF1946A is also
difficult to source.

Does anyone know of a good project to start on this sort of thing?

Regards,
Stuart Longland (VK4MSL)
You don't need linear operation for FM. This should increase the
number of choices you have.

Here are some kits that don't suck:

http://www.communication-concepts.co...amplifiers.htm

You might try he http://www.communication-concepts.com/335a.htm
This is a 35 watt SSB-FM amp in a variety of kit forms.

73, Erich N6FD

Stuart Longland wrote:
Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone knew of a solid state 2m linear amp project
that I could build. I'm looking for no more than about 30W. It'll be
primarily used for FM, driven from my handheld radio. Bonus points if
it can do 70cm too (or at least allow pass-through unattenuated...).

Most of the designs I've seen are for tubes with an output power in
the KW-range... my radio license only allows me to transmit 30W FM or
100W SSB... so these are massive overkill (and not desirable for other
reasons).

The only project I've seen that fits the bill so far is
http://www.falara.org/tektalk/GPOAmp.html which calls for a PCB made
with G10 stock. I have no idea where to obtain that here in Brisbane,
I have some blank PCB, but have no idea what grade it is, or how much
impact on performance using it would have. The MRF1946A is also
difficult to source.

Does anyone know of a good project to start on this sort of thing?

Regards,
Stuart Longland (VK4MSL)

Erich wrote:
You might try he http://www.communication-concepts.com/335a.htm
This is a 35 watt SSB-FM amp in a variety of kit forms.

Hi,
Yeah... that looks like a promising kit... not sure if I can get
anything like that locally (Australia; I don't possess a credit card
or direct debit facilities) so that may be a limitation there... I've
been pointed to a couple of kits in the homebrewing section that are
based on a Mitsubishi power amp module. I found one based on this
module that I can get locally, it was rather minimalist however.

This does give me some other possibilities to chase up however. I
am aware that I need not use a linear amp for FM/CW/PSK too by the
way... but since future use may include AM and SSB, I figure chasing
this sort of amplifier would give me greater flexibility. The aim is
to have a suitable power amp that can work with homebrew equipment.

Regards,
Stuart Longland (VK4MSL)

Stuart Longland wrote:
Erich wrote:
You might try he http://www.communication-concepts.com/335a.htm
This is a 35 watt SSB-FM amp in a variety of kit forms.

Hi,
Yeah... that looks like a promising kit... not sure if I can get
anything like that locally (Australia; I don't possess a credit card
or direct debit facilities) so that may be a limitation there... I've
been pointed to a couple of kits in the homebrewing section that are
based on a Mitsubishi power amp module. I found one based on this
module that I can get locally, it was rather minimalist however.

This does give me some other possibilities to chase up however. I
am aware that I need not use a linear amp for FM/CW/PSK too by the
way... but since future use may include AM and SSB, I figure chasing
this sort of amplifier would give me greater flexibility. The aim is
to have a suitable power amp that can work with homebrew equipment.

Regards,
Stuart Longland (VK4MSL)

Why don't you send them an email. They are a small company and will
probably give you excellent service.

http://www.communication-concepts.com/default.htm