20 meters and cb amplifier

[AE5RD]

I just got my general ticket a few days ago and i have built a 20 meter dipole and got it at 1:1. I have had trouble getting any qso's. I am using a FT101b properly tuned. Well I tried my Magna Force 900 on 20 meters and it made a big diffrence. I just had to cut down on my mike gain alot. Can my Magna Force work on 20 meters or do I need to have it tuned for 20 meters. Is it possible? the spec for 2sc2879 pills say 3 thru 30 mhz. I realize the amp is not tuned for 20 mhz, But could it be tuned to work properly. And on what other bands?

 

[W5LZ]

"I-I-I-Jack",
congrats! on the general, and your amplifier apparently does work on 20 meters. An SWR meter between the amplifier and the antenna ought to tell you about how well it works on 20, or at least how close the 'match' is.
- 'Doc

 

[Beetle]

First, a "1:1" SWR is no guarantee of a high-performing antenna. A dummy load has 1:1. At this stage of the sunspot cycle, a dipole is an okay antenna, but it's no pileup buster.

Before I'd put that amplifier on any ham band, I'd put a good LP filter on it. Don't worry so much about the "match"; worry about how clean the signal is. Don't crank all the controls up full. You, as a licensed Amateur Radio Operator, are responsible for the quality of your own signal. If you get reports that you're splattering, it's up to you to fix things.

Personally, I'd leave the CB amplifier on CB. Commercially-built external RF amplifiers used on the ham bands have to be FCC certified (§97.315) - there are very few exceptions.

Congratulations on the General. Now, the learning process begins!

 

[AE5RD]

amplifier

well I didnt want to get into fcc certifications but the transistors are rated to operate in those frequencies. As far as filtering I'm sure the amp is not up to ham standards. If I built an amp for 20 meters it would have to meet the fcc requirments of not being able to reach it's full potential with a drive of 50 watts. How would my homebrew amp be certified by the FCC? Or how could i clean up this Magna Force 900 to at least operate within bandwidths, until I can afford a ham amp. I guess i do have alot to learn.

 

[BOOTY MONSTER]

will the new cobra 500 meet the necessary fcc requirements ?

 

[Beetle]

3IJack

Did you read that part of Part 97? Your questions about a homebrew amplifier are answered there. Notice that I referred to "commercially-built" external RF amplifiers.

By the way, you're required to have a copy of Part 97 at your station. Before the days of the Internet, we had to get a printed copy from the nearest FCC office. Nowadays, an on-line version is acceptable. If you haven't read through it, you should; it's the rules we hams have to live by.

Here's a link - there are many others available, including one at the FCC.gov website, which might be more up to date. The ARRL link seems to be a lot easier to navigate, unless FCCs link has been dramatically improved.

 

[AE5RD]

part 97

Well you know what i'm thinking?? I have a Magna Force 900 and a joker 16 pill for sale or trade for an Icom hf or a Yaesu hf radio. It's going to be a time of adjusting from CB to Ham.

 

[EDUK8TR]

Re: part 97

Well you know what i'm thinking?? I have a Magna Force 900 and a joker 16 pill for sale or trade for an Icom hf or a Yaesu hf radio. It's going to be a time of adjusting from CB to Ham.

Don't worry about the adjustment. Just listen and get the jest of the proper protocol being used. Listen to some of the ops with the shorter calls who are "Advanced" or "Extra" class ops. Granted, some of them may not use proper protocol but the vast majority do. Get on the bands and exercise your new privledges. If you have another op. nearby who you can get to help you. Get them to see how much bandwidth your'e splattering with your amp. I'm using my MF 1000 in my mobile on 10m and it checked out fine. I'll see how it does on a few of the others once I get a multiband rig in the mobile. If you get a report from a "Whiskey Zero" op that you are over the +/-3 khz limit it would be better to use it where its closer to spec.s. They will normally warn you the first time. The next time they may not be so forgiving. Getting a copy in the mail of the report made to the FCC can't be a good thing.

btw-congrats as well on the upgrade.

73

Wayne C.

 

[AE5RD]

cb amp

The amp checked out 1:2 to 1. I have to have it turned all the way down on the variable or it causes my shack to go crazy. I've got to check my coax and grounding. I've opted for a better antenna on 20 meters and i'll try to get a yaesu amp or an sbe 220 on ebay. Yaesu makes a matching amp for my 101b. I've been partial to quad antennas. So i might build a multi band quad or buy one. I talked to a guy named carl from victoria canada. Keeps talking about malicious qrm and some fued he has going with some other hams. He sounds like the guy from Kiss, you know the one with the tv show.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Re: cb amp

I talked to a guy named carl from victoria canada. Keeps talking about malicious qrm and some fued he has going with some other hams. He sounds like the guy from Kiss, you know the one with the tv show.

OMG! You worked VE7KFM aka Karol Madera. He is a whack job and CAUSES all kinds of QRM with his "broadcasts" that are anti-american and pro al-qaeda. Tune into 14.275 sometime and have a listen.He calls himself Radio Canada. :roll: Hams on both sides of the border have been lobbying Industry Canada to get this guy off the air. Anytime he finds someone on the net bad mouthing him he emails them and threatens legal action etc. He claims to be an attorney but the truth is that he was never admitted into the British Columbia bar association for character reasons. I have know a few really sleazy lawyers so what does that tell you.

This is not his site despite the web address but have a look

www.ve7kfm.com/

Just how much on that site is 100% fact is unknown but a LOT of it is especially the on air antics and his threats against people.I can swear to the last part. :roll: He emailed me with his crap and a loooooog work of text entitled "The life of Riley" in referance to Riley Hollingsworth. :roll:

 

[Happy_Hamer]

Well if your going to sell your other amps and stuff look at the Ameritron ALS-500M

Uses the same 2879s

clean and multi band and kinda fair priced

You will need a good power suplly but if you have a 16 pill I think you may have a good power supply 8)

Congratulations on your upgrade,

To bad your not near Illinois, I could sell you a 4 element 20 meter beam CHEAP! just to big to ship!

 

[SR385]

Re: cb amp

I talked to a guy named carl from victoria canada..

OMG! You worked VE7KFM aka Karol Madera. He is a whack job and CAUSES all kinds of QRM with his "broadcasts" that are anti-american and pro al-qaeda.

Hahah, using a CB amp on 20m and working VE7KFM....

You are on the right track for sure. Now go apply for a vanity call...try K1MAN, it's open these days I think.

In case you didn't seek that VE whacko out intentionally...14.275 and the nonsense that goes on there and the things VE7KFM does are NOT looked upon in a good light by amateur operators. It might sound like business as usual coming from 11m, but it is not accepted amateur operating practice.

Please do spend time listening to how the rest of the world operates and don't add to that steaming pile on the 20m band.

When the hams speak poorly of CB, it's the behavior/language VE7KFM and others like him exhibit that they are talking about...which is pretty much just like CB.

If that sort of insanity is what you are looking for in radio, please, just keep to the free bands with that.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

To bad your not near Illinois, I could sell you a 4 element 20 meter beam CHEAP! just to big to ship!

Get out the tubing cutter and cut everything up into 12-18 inch lengths.It will fit into a box much better that way.

 

[AE5RD]

amplifier

That antenna should cost anymore than my 5 element 11 meter antenna to ship. I think UPS shipped it.

 

[AE5RD]

sr385

Just because i talked to karol or whatever doesn't mean that i am a bad operator. By the way when i contacted him i was barefoot on my Yaesu 101b. I just tried out the amp on 20 meters out of curiousity. Some of my fellow new general buddies also talked to him. It was just a contact. I was a bit shocked that language like that was allowed but i've heard it all. If i was operating unprofessionally i'm sure my Elmer would be all over that as he is constantly listening. I just think your comment at the first of your post says it all. Vanity call.....Jumping the gun a bit wouldnt you say? I am just getting into HF and I am still learning. I would say that I am on the right track otherwise i would be on ch 6 with my 16 pill. Anyhow I just tuned in to hear him talking and keyed. Didn't go looking for the darkside. Don't be so quick to pass judgment but do guide us newbie ham operators.......