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What size amp ?
- Thread starter Oatmeal
- Start date
I never use anything greater than the nominal 100 watts from whatever HF rig I'm using at the time. More important than power, however, is a good antenna.
RatsoW8
Supporting Member, W9WDX ARC Member - WD8T
You always use the minimum amount of power required to maintain reliable communications between two stations. 
For me it's never more than 100 watts for a casual QSO. As a matter of fact a week or so ago I found a pile-up of stations on 20 meters trying work a ham in Swaziland. I never turned on the amp, waited for everyone else to stop calling, then gave my call once and he came right back to me.. So, you don't always need an amp to work a DX pile-up and I'm using a multiband dipole at 50'.
For me it's never more than 100 watts for a casual QSO. As a matter of fact a week or so ago I found a pile-up of stations on 20 meters trying work a ham in Swaziland. I never turned on the amp, waited for everyone else to stop calling, then gave my call once and he came right back to me.. So, you don't always need an amp to work a DX pile-up and I'm using a multiband dipole at 50'.
I've said it before but it bears repeating: Massive power levels really aren't necessary on HF. Much more important is the antenna. Yes, we all know this.
I'm barely squeezing 100w out of my 718 and am continually amazed at the stations I'm able to work with this simple rig and an inverted V wire antenna out in the backyard.
Sure I'd like to have more power and bigger antennas- and one day that will happen. But for right now I'm having a blast- and not running my electric bill up!
I'm barely squeezing 100w out of my 718 and am continually amazed at the stations I'm able to work with this simple rig and an inverted V wire antenna out in the backyard.
Sure I'd like to have more power and bigger antennas- and one day that will happen. But for right now I'm having a blast- and not running my electric bill up!
How much is NEEDED? About 1 watt will do. Even less sometimes.
I have worked the world with 25 watts mobile on 20m. I have worked all over Europe with 1 watt. I have never used more than 100 watts at any time and except for pile ups I had no problem working the world. The antenna is more important than the power level in most cases . On ham it's how much power do you WANT not how much do you NEED.
Ah heck someone has to say it.......bigger is better... legal limit.
My most fulfilling contacts were on my KX-3 with a big whooping 10 watts. Most power I ever ran was I think about 400 watts but it was not fun for me.
My most fulfilling contacts were on my KX-3 with a big whooping 10 watts. Most power I ever ran was I think about 400 watts but it was not fun for me.
I talked to Russia with just 25 watts from my Icom IC -7100. I have a Yaesu ft-2100 and have never used it. Never even turned it on since I brought it home, it was a package deal from a southern Indiana operator. Bought a Yaesu FT-890 and the amp came with it. For $850.00 I was not going to turn it down.
Ah heck someone has to say it.......bigger is better... legal limit.
I did, just with a photo ^^^
Maybe he needs it to run 24/7
Despite what I said above I do want an amp sometime. It sure would help in a pile up or on the low bands. I am gathering the parts required for an HF amp and plan to build one someday. I have just about all the parts needed including the tube and socket for a 3CX3000A7 amplifier. All I need is the time to glue it all together. If I can get enough drive into it it should do my legal limit all day long and not break a sweat. My legal limit is 2250 watts pep or 750 watts of carrier in AM mode. 100 watts drive straight from the exciter should make 1500-1700 watts.