Ladies and Gentlemen,

I frequently contribute technical knowhow to a CB trucker's forum (before you press delete please read on). The question came up concerning my assertion the single final transistor amplifier, typical in CB transmitter output circuits, operates as a Class A amplifier since the modulation required is AM and sometimes SSB, both being amplitude style modulations, and both desiring of good linearity in the amplification (at least I think so).

I know for sure CB output circuits are not push pull since they have only one power amplifying transistor.

Some are suggesting the less than 180° Class C amplification method is what CBs use. I understand this requires a good tank circuit to complete the sine waves, but is supposedly inappropriate for amplitude style modulations like AM, DSB and SSB. Various resources suggest Class C is fine for CW and FM.

I am sure by now you are saying "That's interesting John, really, but what does this have to do with Elecraft?"

Well, I suddenly remembered some advertisement for an HF Ham Transceiver that offered Class A mode in its output circuit for some improvement in some parameter. Funny thing is I guess I thought Ham Transceivers always used either Class A with a single device or, perhaps, Class AB or B in a push-pull arrangement.

What I need to know from Elecraft and/or any of you is:

- What is the final amplifier class (A, AB, B or C) used in, say, the KX1, K2 or K3? - Is it actually possible to use Class C with an amplitude modulation scheme like AM, DSB and/or SSB?
- Is the final amplifer in the KPA100 Class A?
- Do most Ham Transmitters utilize pairs of power devices in a Class AB or B in a push-pull arrangement?

Hopefully this will fine tune my EE knowledge of circuits and make sure I have not missed something I should know so I can continue to represent the ham community well when offering advice to the other radio groups.

Thanks for your help.

John
KX4O
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