I am using a 1.5 to 7 watt transmitter now and just bought a 30 watt amplifier but it states .8 watts max to drive it. I want to use my old one on the low setting of 1.5 watts to drive it will I have problems??? I took out insurance on the amp just in case it doesn't go well. Any ideas suggestions?? sixer
And you can use the high power Caddock non-inductive resistors available through Digikey for them. (This is the one I use for a dummy load: www.digikey.ca/product-detail/en/MP850-75.0-1%25/MP850-75.0-F-ND/2138974 since I've nominallized all my gear to 75 ohms coax and dipole. I put it on a CPU heatsink with a fan for small size and keeping cool)
I agree with cmradio. The attenuator is the way to go. The exciter likes looking into a constant/non varying impedance load, which the attenuator will help provide.
Thanks for the quick answers guys( girls?) I am more of a plug n play guy so could you's be a little more specific or give me a crash course in attenuators. I saw something on ebay called a BNC Attenuator Set 3dB-6dB-10dB-20dB 50 Ohm, is this something I could use? or 6dB Attenuator BNC Connector 50 Ohm 1/2 watt After doing some more reading I am still confused about the db ratings???
There is going to be at least one, Kay is now the voice of CYNR "sinner Radio" she is not new to radio but new to pirate,I think she's got the bug. She's not hardware but software and programming are her thing. any more help with the attenuation thing would be great... sixer
Thanks for the quick answers guys( girls?) I am more of a plug n play guy so could you's be a little more specific or give me a crash course in attenuators. I saw something on ebay called a BNC Attenuator Set 3dB-6dB-10dB-20dB 50 Ohm, is this something I could use? or 6dB Attenuator BNC Connector 50 Ohm 1/2 watt
Worse, 1/4 watt
Those inline things are more for test gear than transmitters.
After doing some more reading I am still confused about the db ratings???
-3dB = 1/2 power -6dB = 1/4 power -10dB = 1/10 power -20dB = 1/100 power -30dB = 1/1000 power
Thanks everyone, I think I've got it figured out now, can't wait for my amp to show up . Look out undisclosed small town in B.C. Sinner Radio is coming at you. Kay and I have been working on some cool station ID's and faux ads, this is starting to get interesting. Once again thanks. sixer out...
Well now I know what happens when you overpower an amp, I pushed 7 watts through the new 30 watt amp by accident of course and it immediately had a heart attack and died. so a new amp is on its way to my undisclosed location (thank you Square trade insurance) I will be more careful this time but will still buy the insurance coverage again. So now I am waiting once again. Still broadcasting on the 7 watt and home made j-pole, come on new equipment>>> Sixer
Do you still have the 30watt amp, replace the power transistor and you should be good to go.
No I had to send it out to get the warranty coverage. Is the power transistor usually the thing to go. I am not an electronics guy so my soldering sucks. sixer
Post by Ozone Express Radio on Aug 9, 2012 19:02:19 GMT -6
I see you already found out the hard way what will happen when overdriving an AMP, but I will add that I let the magic smoke out of a very expensive MOSFET ($98 to be exact) by not paying attention and feeding a little too much power into my pallet amp. That really hurt.