2 meter ssb amplifier
This is not an exhaustive list since there are new radios being introduced every year with additional capability. FM is the most popular mode primarily due to the wide availability of FM repeaters. These repeaters extend the operating range on VHF and enable low power handheld transceivers to communicate over miles. FM is also used on simplex to make contacts directly without repeaters. The main disadvantage of FM is relatively poor performance when signals are weak, which is where SSB really shines.
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2m amplifier
QRZ Forums. Ok, so I am using my third Mirage 2 meter amp. I am not satisfied with it, as all three have had one problem or another. What I am looking for is who makes good amps. In other words I am looking for an amp that will operate as advertised, if it is designed for 50 watts in out I want it to do that without overheating, sticking, etc. I have have looked on the internet and found several that are FM only.
I would appreciate some alternatives to Mirage. Right now I can hear much farther than I can talk. I do want a preamp. So, any ideas? What do you use for your 2 meter SSB station? Thanks, Jake. A simple homebrew 4CX tube with power supply. Drive it with 5 watts and get watts out. Check out the ARRL handbook. It's not as hard as you think.
K2WH , Sep 20, Look on the VHF sites they will have the most listed I missed one fri that was a legal limit amp for but it was sold 20 min before I saw it to a friend of his. N0AZZ , Sep 20, I have seen many plans to build one, even the one in the hanndbook, I just hate for it to make it to the failed project pile. I never seem to get the money back that I invest in the pile, LOL. Just a thought, anyone in the central Mississippi are that would like to be my Elmer on this project if I do try to build it?
The problem with "reliable" comes in when someone tries to use these solid state amplifiers for FM, and holds long transmissions. They all get very hot very fast and after a few minutes of continuous key-down on FM, can fail.
Mirage is starting to print warnings about this in their manuals now it's about time. There are "repeater" versions of these same amps, which have larger heatsinks, integrated cooling fans, and a power derating. The typical "W brick" amplifier, derated for repeater service, becomes about an "80W" amplifier, and that's with a bigger heatsink, and fans on it.
Systems here in Los Angeles makes some amps that can take a bit more abuse, if you get the BIG ones and then run them at about half power. I've had a few of those and they never failed. Another thing that causes premature amplifier failure is using RF keying, that is, relying on your drive signal to "key" the T-R circuits in the amplifier. This is always an accident waiting to happen. For reliable operation, you really need to use "hard" direct connected by a keying line keying.
It's far easier on the relays and far easier on the amplifier. I was much like yourself in the past. These so called watt bricks really shouldn't run beyond watts anyways not just because they overheat very quickly, but they also start exhibiting dirty output when driven beyond that point. Commercial amps are out there but of course they usually require modification to operate on 2m and most of them are designed to operate on FM not SSB so this equates to them becoming a "project" instead of a ready made solution.
Then of course you run into the feast or famine scenario. For example, you can get a legal output VHF Commander amp for over a kilobuck but there's really nothing available between the watt solid state brick hamfest specials currently available and the watt powerhouse that requires a second mortgage taken out on the house to get one. So what does a person do? One option is to home brew your own. Many plans out there however keep in mind that many of these "plans" are just that.
Some have never actually been constructed and only exist on paper. Sometimes, they have schematic or wiring errors etc. So with that said, stick with "known" and proven homebrew designs or you will find yourself doing more troubleshooting than operating. Tube amps are scarce to acquire for VHF. Some of the older Gonsets are good choices for the money. Anything using a 4CXB will typically produce an easy watts.
Often overlooked are the plentiful and cheap B tubes which can be used to construct nice homebrew amplifiers. Swan makes a nice tube amplifier called a VHF that also uses a B and this amp design is capable of producing just about as much power as any commonly available solid state brick.
The difference is that it's tube power, but if you can manage to snag one, they will run all day long, sound a lot cleaner and they don't have the headaches associated with them as the solid state amps do.
Hope that helps. Last edited: Sep 20, There are better solid state amps then the Mirage. There is no question that these are better amps. I have had all of these amps and I still think that the older brownface Mirage is good value for the price. If you use a bit of common sense these will provide good service.
All of these 50W input rated amps should not be driven any where near that power level. Keep the drive down to reasonable value and it will last longer and give the same output power. Something like the Brown Mirage will make full output power at W input. If you have a rig that has TX spikes during the beginning of the transmission put a power attenuator in the coax to the rig A 3dB power attenuator is good insurance for the 50W class transceiver.
Make sure that the antenna has good VSWR. If the amplifier tries to drive low impedance load, it will draw a lot of current. If your power supply can source the current there is a good chance that the RF transistors will be destroyed. Make sure that your antenna is not so close to the radio that it creates RF feedback.
This can easily happen in a mobile environment. If it results in an overdrive condition the RF transistors may be destroyed. A 12V muffin fan mounted to blow transverse to the heat sink fins will make all the difference in the world.
The heatsink gets merely warm to the touch. It works the same if you run 1min on 1min off EME I see a lot of people mount the fan so it blows down on the fins. While this kinda sorta works, its not nearly as good as the transverse flow. Hot switching these amps will destroy the internal preamplifier in no time Thats why almost all used Mirage amps have dead preamp. Solution don't use RF sensed switching The relay contacts will need to be cleaned after a while. Don't bend them all up Replacement relays are available for abused amplifiers.
The relay is a weak link if you use the amplifier a lot it will need some service from time to time. So while some of the other better quality amplifiers may have a bit more immunity to some user punishment, the same advice really applies to them all. All of these solid state amplifiers are not brick on the key foolproof units. At the W power level, I endorse solid state Use some common sense and it will last quite a long time. W8JI , Sep 20, This tube amp runs W output and is actually pretty common.
But it's a rugged amp about 75 lbs worth and can handle long transmissions. Caveats: 1. It only requires about 5W drive for full output power, so you absolutely cannot drive it with a 50W rig, or really even a 10W rig, unless you have a way to reliably reduce its power; if not, you'll need an attenuator.
It contains no internal T-R bypass relay of any kind, so it goes in the "transmit" line only. This means for use with a transceiver, you need to add a coaxial double pole or two single pole relay s to bypass it for receiving. Not a big deal, but don't think you can "receive" through this amp, because you can't.
Still, it's a very good deal and I hear them on the air all the time mostly on SSB. Show Ignored Content. Share This Page. Your name or email address: Password: Forgot your password? Register for a free QRZ account.
2 Meter Set Up
Just in case anybody thinks that the failure of the PA module in the FT is unrepairable it is possible to retrofit a later MOSfet module with similar dimensions and adjust the bias arrangements. Not pretty but functional. Seems like a worthy idea. Yes, the more densely populated areas will tend to have an advantage but it can still be a fun activity for all. Finding a Yaesu FT is the hard bit.
2 METER AMPS
QRZ Forums. Ok, so I am using my third Mirage 2 meter amp. I am not satisfied with it, as all three have had one problem or another. What I am looking for is who makes good amps. In other words I am looking for an amp that will operate as advertised, if it is designed for 50 watts in out I want it to do that without overheating, sticking, etc. I have have looked on the internet and found several that are FM only. I would appreciate some alternatives to Mirage. Right now I can hear much farther than I can talk. I do want a preamp. So, any ideas?
2-meter band
It shows very little cosmetic wear and operates as it should? This is such a great bidding opportuni Te systems g rf linear amp 2 meter vhf. Please note that your order may be del. This amp is in good cosmetic condition and works as it should including the preamplifier.
MKU PA 2M-60W HY-2, VHF-MOSFET Power Amplifier
Mirage Amplifier Model AN 9. From affordable watt PEP output to all-out 1,watt continuous power, our selection of linear amplifiers will deliver the stable, efficient power punch you need to operate with authority from through 2 meters. For a transmitter that produces W maximum output power, a 6dB pad should be used. Mirage BR. Unit was from an estate and donated to our Ham Radio Club.
Ham Radio Amplifiers | Surplus Network
All models are equipped with super-low-noise, large-signal-resistant semiconductors which are safeguarded against HF by a an effective protective circuit. To suppress unwanted signals, high quality Helix filters are used. The Super-Amp amplifiers can be operated alternatively with a remote or direct feed. Hot-dip galvanized clamps and installation material are part of the delivery. The max. Important note on noice figure: The input and output circuits of the new amplifiers have an exact 50 ohm impedance with very low imaginary components. This ensures that the antenna system is loaded with real 50 ohms and that the parameters of the system are not changed.
HL-355Vkx 2-Meter Linear Amplifier
If this position interests you, please send your resume to: amateurtech yaesu. The Yaesu brand is well known among ham radio aficionados and is synonymous with premium quality ham radios. From stationary multi-feature communications equipment to portable devices, YAESU has consistently represented the best in communications equipment to the world's top DX'ers for over half a century. With the 3DSS 3-Dimensional Spectrum Stream you can see signals that you might not have had the chance to tune in before they disappear.
MIRAGE B-2518G
RELATED VIDEO: 2 meter ssb netAbout 5 years ago, M2 Antenna Systems introduced a high power solid state amplifier for 6 meters model 6M capable of a full kilowatt of output. It was lightweight and small, making it usable both at home and for portable operations. Later they came out with a higher power 2 meter solid state amplifier called the 2M-1K2. I had a chance to review that amplifier and came away with a favorable opinion.
ARRL QST Product Review - "M2 6M-1K2 High-Power 6 Meter Amplifier"
Most new hams get started on the ham bands using FM, with 2m and 70cm being the most popular bands. This is a great way to get started using VHF simplex and repeater communications. FM is the most popular mode primarily due to the wide availability of FM repeaters. These repeaters extend the operating range on VHF and enable low power handheld transceivers to communicate over miles. FM is also used on simplex to make contacts directly without repeaters. The main disadvantage of FM is relatively poor performance when signals are weak, which is where SSB really shines. A weak FM signal can disappear completely into the noise while a comparable SSB signal is still quite readable.
Introduction The rationale for this project was to try something unconventional and to re-purpose some coomponents and modules that I had acquired from various dumpster dives and hamfests over the years. Why do I like 2 meters sideband? Since , most of my real activity has been on 2 meters. This was largely due to having licence restrictions that limited activity to 50Mhz and above.
Quite right! It seems to me it is excellent idea. I agree with you.