A power gain of x40 is very high for a mass produced RF ham amplifier (about 17db). I believe an FCC rule limits it to 15 or 16db for US marketability, due to CB issues in part.
Many non-US amateur amp developers work around this by using power swamping resistors in the input circuits, of the US market amps they make, to comply with the FCC requirements. Just take a look at what the Italian amp maker Expert has had to do with its new solid state 1Kamp, just to get it approved by the FCC (60 watts inputfor the US version, 20 watts for the rest). The limiting factor is the need for neutrlisation in a high gain RF amp. Something to stay well away from, and at 17db you're pushing the envelope quite close. Just take a look at the 'export' versions of the QRO and Command amps - x35 power gain - and that's just for the overseas market. A higher gain amp can be built and made to work without neutralisation, but may be difficult to reproduce for mass use. Happiness is around 13db or x20 in my view. 73, Wyn VR2AX So you put 10 watts in and get ~400 watts out! You put in 50 watts and get 2000 watts out Where's the rub? de Joe, aa4nn ------------------------------------------------------ ----- SNIP ----- My barefoot K2 can drive both my ICPW-1 and Quadra System to 350-400 watts. Therefore, the forthcoming KPA800 / 1500 should have similar amplification gain. If the proposed KPA800 / 1500 can only work with K2/100 and with less gain, I regret to say that the marketability of the amplifiers will be adversely affected. _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
