Preamp

[74IN]

The only thing I dislike about my Kenwood 430 is a lack of one.

It has an attenuator, but no preamp.

Any good external ones?

 

[Moleculo]

I'm sure there are better, but I'm aware of these two:

Electronics

and

W8JI Receiver Preamplifier HF Preamplifier Antenna Preamplifier Beverage Preamplifier Low Noise Pre Amp

 

[74IN]

The first one looks good, but no price.

The second was unavailable from the link.

 

[cyclops1970]

I wouldn't bother with one. Here's the key test: does the noise level go up when you hook up an antenna? If the answer is yes, then you're radio is sensitive enough to pick up everything on the band. Adding a preamp may actually make things worse by adding IMD or other bugs in the process.

 

[W5LZ]

I agree with 'cyclops1970', in most cases a preamp just isn't necessary. Another way of looking at it is that those radios with a preamp are 'set' sort of at less sensitivity than possible. The preamp just disables that 'attenuation' to a 'normal' state. Not sure what that sort of thinking means, oh well...
- 'Doc

 

[Switch Kit]

I don't know about these HF rigs ? but I think a good receive amp is really nice where SSB is concerned. (AM is another story.) I use one in my car 24/7 , works great.

IM guessing I may not be on the same page concerning this thread ?

 

[Justme]

If, as already was written, the noiselevel rises when you insert the antenna, you don't need an pre amp.

For that you have the audio gain.
Inserting an pre amp will overload the preamp in the transciever when you get strong signals, raise your noise level too.

Too much amplification will overdrive the first mixer as well, causing other unwanted problems.

The AGC will drive the amplification down for the regulated sections, so the end result is an higher S meter read out, but will not improve the signal quality.

Only real deaf recievers need preamps, but then mostly the reciever section needs an tune up.

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

Don't bother with a preamp. It is not needed on HF and the lower you go the less the need.All it will do is make the meter read a bit higher. I have yet to see a properly functioning HF rig that needed a preamp to hear something that could not not heard without it.

 

[KingCobra_CDX882]

PreAmps ( good ones that is ) are good to use
But only advisable for VHF or higher frequency's
And even then is best if antenna mounted

 

[74IN]

Thanks alot.

You guys save me some loot.