I question why operators buy these radios and don't know how they operate and then blow them up and then blame the company that made the radio.
These operators aren't aware that the output devices are MOSFETs in these radios and not bipolar transistors. They aren't aware that a MOSFET can be driven until they pop and a bipolar transistor will keep on ticking at its smaller output limit. They also don't realize that a single TO-220 package MOSFET will put out twice as much power as a bipolar transistor will. So, the first thing they do is squeeze the last milliwatt out of the MOSFET radio and then cry because it blew up.
Late model Galaxy and Ranger radios have MOSFETs in them as well, and they will fry if you try to run them at the edge of their limit too. No ones receiver can hear the difference between 80 watts and 55 watts. So let it run cool and therefore last a long time. It's simply one - or the other.
Sure - putting a fan on it should be done too.
Excellent idea.
If you want to keep these radios alive; then make sure that the antenna has the best SWR, power wires are heavy enough for the amperage draw, don't over-drive the mic input, and USE ONLY 3/4 the peak rated output that the radio. If it has an RFX-75 on it; then use it with no more than 75 watts output. Run it at 100 watts; and then blame yourself for it failing. The buck stops here. It doesn't matter that your second cousin twice removed Billy-Bob says you can do 125 watts. Or anyone else for that matter. The heat sinks on these radios just cannot cope with that much heat before it lets the MOSFET barf. The output DEVICE ITSELF dictates just how much can be expected of it. Not Billy-Bob . . .
lol . . .
EDIT:
BTW - Dosy watts don't count. It isn't accurate and will NOT show true peak output. They simply are not designed to read peak watts. That is another thing that Billy-Bob was wrong about too.
