Why I don't have an amplifier - May 2022 Livestream Excerpt
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2022
- A viewer asked: "I am curious if there is a particular reason you haven't added an amplifier to your shack equipment?" Joe and I talk about if an amp is an necessary piece of ham radio equipment and if you should invest in one.
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#hamradio #amateurradio #amplifier #legallimit - Věda a technologie
Antenna works both ways TX and RX
Amplifier works one direction TX
don't be the deaf person who yells at everyone and can not hear what someone answers back
I completely agree. I worked VK from UK at the beach using a 1/4 wave vertical and a whopping 10w.
I'm old and have changed my philosophy about amps over the years. For many years I lived in a rural area on 20 acres, so had no issues with RF or restrictions of any kind. I ran an SB220 at full legal power into a tribander on top of a 200 ft tower. Yeah, the ERP was ridiculous there was so much gain in the antenna system alone. About 20 years ago my wife and I decided we were tired of keeping everything up, and moved into a small town. Since then I've been running QRP and having just as much fun without the brute force power of my old setup. Haven't fired the SB220 up in years.
@jamespowers8826
Why thank you sir, thank you for reducing the QRM in the world. Every watt counts.
If you have a good antenna system and you can hear them but they can't you, then a amp is nice. I just upgraded my amp to a Mercury IIIs and love it. Life is too short for QRP.
@chuckcurtin
Another knucklehead that doesn't understand radio.
If your radio is 10watts output, then you improve your feed by 3db, then improve your antenna 3db, what is the combined equivalent power out, in watts.?
Another thought is that amps only work one way. If the Ham on the other end is running barefoot it can be difficult to make a contact. I also wear headphones and there are times when I am calling CQ trying to pickup light signals and someone hits me with full power, I almost have a heart attack.
LOL
Haha. I've been there.
My main HF rig is an old Kenwood TS-430S. I've spent a lot of time with my antennas and feedline, and I've found that if I can hear them, I can work them- and usually with good signal reports. When hunting POTA, I seem to get get called on relatively quickly, oftentimes before the people running amplifiers. With the results I get, I just don't see where an amplifier investment would be worth it.
My home rig is a Xiegu G90, with a home made EFHW 40-10m. I have no issues making contacts, and enjoy spinning the dial and digging signals out of the noise. I am not likely to bust up a pile up 50 guys running 1kw for that special DX, but that is OK. It is possible to work the world with 20w and a wire.
i run the same.
I have the same radio running an 8010. My Worst Band is 15 m with a 4.0 SWR without the tuner. With the tuner I was able to work a Russian station in St Petersburg and get a 35 signal report. You can definitely do a lot with 20 watts and a wire!
Really appreciate both of your channels and have really enjoyed the content. I think that you are rationalizing a bit. Amps are a tool which help most of us address some situations - nonoptimal antenna height, etc. Like every tool, we have to use them appropriately. Thanks again and keep up the great work.
What is wrong with these guys? I've got an amp - - for my QRP rigs! It'll allow my 5 watt radios to do 20 watts IF I NEED IT!
Seriously, 100 watts is more than enough. I rarely run more than 75-80 watts to go easy on the finals. Sure, I don't have DXCC but I worked Russia and Europe and Tasmania and ALL OVER the Pacific on 5-20 watts from SoCal and it's a thrill to each time I do.
First 500w is what makes or break the noise floor on low band in the summer lighting. I never use power on the high bands for Dx. Only time is when the rx Dx station is using. Compromised antenna and he’s not hearing, then I ll try power but to be honest I hate tuning the tuner & amp for Dx it’s work sum times. Usually it’s just easier to rough it with the tuner and let the rig fine tune and leave the qro off 😊
studying for the general now... and as you said at 6:19ish... yes, the test makes it feel like needing an amp is going to be a major thing.
Very nice video. I laughed a your thoughts on QRP guys buying amps, so funny.
I'd get a Yagi beam for HF before an amp. From Milwaukee I can hear Canada, Spain, Cuba parts of south America and at times when they point their antenna my direction Poland and Greenland on my MFJ Off Center dipole that's already in a compromised setup. Outside of that I can get most (if not all) of the US wit Ohio, TX and a few southern states taking up the bands...perhaps being due to the way my antenna is pointed north to south 25-30 feet up on an inverted V.
Sold my 1kw too. Don't miss it. WG7D.
Really enjoy your channel. Just curious, do you have any videos on proper set up of a shack? Making antenna and shack more efficient? Thanks!
A lot of it depends on what type of operations you want to engage in. I frequently say “we don’t buy amps for ourselves, we buy them for our friends, so they aren’t straining their ears”. High noise is more and more of a problem in the modern world of cheap consumer electronics, particularly on the low bands.
@CubDriver451
Well I guess you don't understand radio then.
I'm a mobile-only operator and use an FT-891 with Scorpion mobile antenna. I'd like to add an ALS-500 someday. Still, even with an amp, I think I'd call CQ or do a POTA activation with 100W; if they hear me, I can work probably them. I'd use the amp if I felt like I needed a little extra punch to be heard amongst other callers or noise, such as POTA hunting or calling what I perceive to be a weak station. The ALS-500 has been on backorder for a VERY long time. So, 100W must suffice until fall, at least. ;-) 73! Scott, KE4WMF
Amplifiers are nothing but trouble. They cost a lot up front, then you'll need to upgrade everything connected to it to handle the higher power. You'll have more chance of creating RFI. And you won't hear any better.
I'm living the qrp life and love it. That is until I come up against the amplified operators, then I just pack up and go home.
I'm qrp right now because of my QRO portable antenna needs a little work after an fall....so it's kinda sucks ...I can hear a lot of folks but no one can hear me and ofen get zero qso
As for amp use, you need to make at least a receive loop, run a pan adaptor if your radio doesn't have separate RX and TX capability, or you can use a few proper mag loops 3 will do most of the HF band. Then you can make a crude L matched vertical with some 1/2 heliax and just let it have it with an amplifier, to tune power out, just use Kiwi SDR. Hell you could even use Kiwi SDR and just smash power out with an amp.
Except if you are in a situation where you can’t put up a better antenna, already run LMR400, amplifier has helped me.
My amplifier has not had a work out for a long time, my best investment has been tackling my local noise issues. With my previous noise levels it was too easy to constantly run QRO and be an alligator. It is easy to forget that 100w or 200w from the typical HF transceiver is far from QRP.
Good video guys. I have never needed a amp, my average vertical antenna gets me out and about quite well. If band conditions are a little poor and you can't work too many stations, go for a walk and try another day.
If we need 59 every time , we could just keep piling on the power or building bigger towers, or just pick up the phone and ring them, we don't have to cause lots of qrm for everyone else, if you get a readability 5, you don't need more power.
I recently worked qrp ssb 20m from a bicycle mobile to England with a vertical ant at the beach, the ocean is the best amp you will ever need.
73 zl3xdj
Bro.... I live in freaking Ohio😢😢🤣🤣..... there aren't any oceans within bicycle distance for us here. Maybe with a 2 month bike ride one way.
I live in an HOA and can’t have 5 element beam or anything like that (FCC said they have to make reasonable accommodation but didn’t want to argue with HOA) I use the MPAS 2.0 (500w) also have the TDL. I’ve use the random wire or the vertical, I use to make my contacts but adding an amp I get through the pileups. If you can afford it double the size you want to run, if you want 600w get at least 1Kw or 1.5Kw. If you get the limit you want to run you will put strain on your equipment.
These days most hams biggest limitation is receiving that's being impaired by high local RF noise. An amplifier won't help that. Amplifiers just turn those stations into what we call "alligators" (all mouth and no ears).
KZ9V
I run a al 811 600w it's makes a huge difference on pile ups. I have 80 meter full wave loop in Illinois up at 25 feet. Just listen when guys shut off amp. Signal goes down a lot. First 500 watts makes the difference. 73s.
I never have used a amp. I make just has may contacts with people that have used a AMP
You can always get a big single phase plug installed at your house and then run 4mm2 flex, I don't know what that is in gauge but it's good for 20amp, more but I would just run 20amp at 240v.
I'm Australian, but as I understand it you guys in the US just need to run a circuit between the two bus bars and you get 240v single, I may be wrong.
I run a Yaesu FT 857 at 40 watts max. I only crank it up to 80 watts if the receiving station is having difficulty hearing me. And that’s a 3db increase in signal. I never used 100 watts on my radio, ever.
It's a lot more work to keep the whole system going at the kw level. Even at 110vac which is the level I set for myself. If I can run it efficiently on 110 I'm happy.
One comment has already said this, but I’m usually heard with 100w when propagation is open. The problem is that I don’t always hear the other end so we’ll. While I don’t need an amp, I think everyone else might hahaha.
I respect your point of view but... life is too short to be QRP LoL 😂
As a serious Contester and DXer, I am a firm believer in running QRP (Quite Respectable Power). To be competitive in either aspect of the hobby requires the ability to get the most out of your station. 99% of the time I run low power. But it it is satisfying to know that you can get the most out of your entire station system when you need it. You can be challenged by location when Contesting or DXing, so having a competitive station is important. Getting over the East and West Coast “Walls” is a real thing. I know from operating overseas that they are real from their aspect, also. I understand the issues of people living in densely populated areas that it is a huge issue. HOA’s are becoming an ever growing restriction on Ham’s also. But that is what is so great about our hobby, there are so many avenues you can take and what is important to one Ham is not to another. But for me, I find it exciting to work over 200 countries in a contest weekend. But I also know that is not everyone’s cup a tea and that is okay with me. The new Digital Modes and Digital Voice Modes have brought a whole new dimension to the bottom of the Solar Cycle. I enjoy helping get other Hams started in both of these and there is no need for an amp for either one. I understand that everyone is not a serious Contester or DXer, and that is fine with me. That is what is so great about our hobby!
As for me, I don’t really have an option since my town has extremely poor rfi conditions-noise floor levels(20m) of s9+20db are common. I’m perfectly fine with my dipole though-1:1.03 or so SWR and a good ground, and was making 10k mile contacts with low sunspots, barefoot when in the countryside.
But when I’m back home, an amp is simply compulsory.
I'm confused how your amplifier improves your noise situation in your town...
Where are the Italian comments.... "Why I bought an electricty company to power my amplifier"
100w is a lot of power (the first radio I built was 10watt) IF it's sent to a good antenna AND if propagation is good.
=Yet if you are suffering from the virus called COVID$$$ and left suffering from too much money and feel your life depends on 1 or 2 extra "s" points...... GO for it.
Nothing over 5 Watts here for 30+ years. 60m band inverted vee outside and h.f. dipoles in the attic so nothing over a height of 30'. QRP to QRP particularly satisfying.
How much power do you need?
Recently, a Pixie on 5.262 MHz, 350 mW a QSO 180 miles and SWL report from 220 miles, old Wireless 19 Set QRP at 2 Watts, 5.262 MHz QSO at 280 miles. Almost a QSO with 1 Watt into Italy last week but conditions went out, 10m band, we exchanged callsigns. Back in the 80's U.S.A. with 1 Watt on 10m. All c.w.
Cheap electricity bills too, and I often use a solar panel and battery.
G4GHB
Because I'm #$%& good operator!
The best amplifier is an antenna with gain over a dipole.
When I got started 100 watts wasn’t enough. I thought I needed an amp. If not for the expense I would have bought one. Since I didn’t have the money I worked on my antennas. Now I rarely run more than 20 watts from home on HF.
invest time, energy and money in your antenna and feed line. Then your radio and then if you want, amp. But amplifier should be at the bottom of everyones list of equipment.
Re: Amplifier questions on the license exam: They also say to operate at the lowest possible power needed to make the contact! No amp needed to make plenty of contacts and enjoy the hobby. 73 KI5BPK
i'll keep using my amplifier :).
No amp operator here going on 20 plus years and have made thousands of contacts on SSB and digital.
Realistically no amp is needed if you get a directable antenna system. But I live in an apartment building or retirement center and use an Imax 2000 for my base antenna out under my tire in the driveway so sometimes I need to use an amplifier to make contacts that are out of country and across the ocean or pond as we call it. But no with a large 3element to 8 element or equivalent beam antenna one could talk around the world on it, using the right band and a 100 watt radio. End of discussion.
Technically your amplifier is inside the radio?
If your amp causes interference, you are doing something wrong. I have seen 20kw CB setups in a 6 story apartment building properly grounded and with a current balun at the antenna feedpoint. UGLY BALUN for the most part with Heliax Coax and there was zero interference or compalint by anyone in the building.
I've been on 160m a couple of times. Having an amplifier on that band will come in handy. Other than that, made plenty of contacts with 100w and less.
One of my Elmers told me once that anything over 500 watts on an amplifier is fluff
For the most part he's right. You'll get your biggest gain of just over 7 dB moving from 100 to 500 watts. From 500 to 1500 watts, the increase is a more modest 4.25 dB. A 500-600 watt amplifier also has the advantages of being more affordable and can run on a 120 volt circuit.
I use an Ameritron ALS-600, it’s a solid state amp that does 600watts, I mostly just use it when I’m on 80m for the 3.916 net. Otherwise I’m not using one.
Since I work practically all QRP I don’t think I’ll be in the market for one. Hey Michael, how did you post this at same time you were spotted on a POTA? 73, N4WLC Bill
I have an old alpha 78. Sure makes pileups easier. CW doesn't require an amp I am finding. 73s de K8MH
General licensed HAM for a little over a year. My involvement has been as a result of my being a deputy, involvment wit SAR/EMS... Which I believe is what amateurradio is most ideally suited. I really don't understand the need or purpose of DX beyond a few hundred miles though🤔. The expense is insane...
From an EMCOMM point of view, DX wouldn't be necessary but for good will toward people of the whole world it can help. Some people like to have a conversation with someone from another country, and it doesn't really take much more than a simple dipole or EFHW and a lot of power. When the 20 meter band is wide open you can work the world.
73!
"We don't need no stinking amplifiers." ... Where is the challenge using an amplifier -- other than you neighbors 3 or 4 houses away will be wondering why their electronics is misbehaving.
I don’t like the guys running big amps and talking all over signals all over the band. I’d like to see some more strict power limitations put into place. I can go on a websdr and listen to my signal. I can go from 100watts to 20 and cannot hear much difference. If you’ve got propagation, you’ve got it either way.
Amps do have their place and they are useful on the low bands when the MUF is high and you are trying to communicate on 80 meters. But there are so many other ways to improve your signal without relying on one.
What kills me is when there is a pileup going on and the amplifier guy decides to tune up right on frenquency. He knows everfyone is trying make it through, but he doesn't care "Audioooooo Audioooo... *Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep*
I have an 811 600 Watt Amplifier,, 120 Volt with 50 Amp power supply, but that was only for the 80 meter bard. I have not really needed it for anything else. Nice to have, but not required to talk everywhere. Don't forget you will also need an expensive auto tuner too!
Because I can't afford one
The narrators say operators should tweak their antennas before using a linear amplifier. Unfortunately, they fail to explain just how we should tweak our antennas and what that might cost. And, they fail to explain, document or quantify how much performance improvement that might provide. They say there is "so much we can do" to improve station performance, without delineating any specific way one can accomplish that lofty goal. Curiously, there is no mention of FCC Rules which require operators to use the lowest transmit power necessary to maintain contact - which may be the best reason to not use a linear amplifier.
They suggest we should improve our existing antennas, without suggesting we replace them with bigger or better antennas with GAIN, such as replacing a dipole with a Yagi beam. For example, they fail to explain how I could improve my 40 meter half-wave dipole 60 feet high to get more performance from my station. How much money should I spend? What should I buy? Heavier wire? Wire with a different color insulator? Different plastic end insulators? Better support rope? And just how would changing these things improve transmit signal strength? And to what degree? The narrator says he works everyone he wants to without an amplifier ... which says nothing about the operators he does not want to work, or why he does not want to work them.
Ultimately, he says he does not use an amplifier because he cannot afford to buy one, and and fears he will bother his neighbors because he has crummy antennas that cannot take high power. He says we should simply improve our antennas, without explaining how we should do that. Colossal waste of time. (I cannot imagine working 40-50 years before crippling my retirement hobby living in a place with antenna restrictions, a self-inflicted wound.) JTT
"This video was such a colossal waste of time that I had to spend just as much time telling the creator that it was a colossal waste of time."
I am glad that all is still well on the Internet.
@@KB9VBRAntennas OK, but if that is your best rebuttal, OK by me! Have a great day OM. JTT
Meh, I can do better. I just don't feel that your comment was worth the effort.
@@KB9VBRAntennas Well, that cuts me to the quick! Fact is, my criticism stands without rebuttal: you say one should improve his antennas, yet offer no advice on how to do that. Too bad you cannot afford an amp or make better antennas that do not bother your neighbors if you had an amp. That indicates you are woefully ignorant about antennas, so I will surely avoid your channel in the future. Properly implemented antennas do not bother the neighbors at any power level. Perhaps you should learn more before speaking and giving advice to others. Lousy video offering no help to anyone. I suspect this easily explains why you have received only 84 replies out of 13000 views!
You really want to fight, don't you. Here's why I'm not answering your response:
1. Your questions come off as dismissive and trollish. You set up a straw man argument in the body of your message as bait. If you have a 40 meter dipole at 60 feet and still can't get the DX without an amplifier, your station must be pretty pathetic.
2. You are assuming that I have a crummy antenna system and crummy neighbors. Far from the truth. I have very good neighbors and a very good antenna system that fits within the confines of my residential lot.
3. You assume that I can't afford an amplifier. Far from the truth. And I don't have to prove it to you.
thank you for visiting the channel and thank you for engaging on this video. That cues the algorithm to forever feed my videos to you. I appreciate that.
amps are for your friends to hear u .... who cares hahahha
Seems there used to be, probably still is laws against amplifiers. But police are scared of setting off a riot. Where let it happen.
On CB yes amps are illegal. On the amature radio side they are legal to 1500 watts in the USA. Some countries allow more, some less.
ALS-500M, MOBILE AMP, 500W SOLID STATE, REMOTE READY, 13.8VDC could be one that you can put in your house
People use high power amps for their lack of skills. Sorry
Incorrect
Try to work a really rare DXCC far away without a great yagi and you will understand why.
Also remember some of us live in the Auroral zones, and there the attenuation can be really severe half the time.
@@la7dfa agreed. Good DX to you OM!