[Moon-net] Solid state amplifiers

[Edward Cole]

At 09:40 AM 6/1/2008, Vic Nyman wrote:
>All,
>
>I am once again seeking advice from our saged EME community...
>
>I have the opportunity to upgrade my 2 mtr amplifier this summer. I
>have been looking at solid state amplifiers as a potential choice. In
>my new installation, It will be possible to put an amplifier close to
>the antenna if it were easily operated remotely (i.e. solid state). I
>am considering using a high power, solid state amplifier for 2 mtr EME.
>
>Has anyone had experiences with solid state amplifiers? I am
>particularly interested in usage experiences with:
>
>- Beko HLV-600, HLV-1200, or HLV-2400
>- I0JXX either the xxxBOX144 or the xxxMAC144 series
>- modified FM broadcast amps such as those from Tugicom
>- or others?
>
>Thanks, Vic K4UCY

I have run with a ss-amp for the last ten years.
Advantages:
1- simple, no-tune
2- low voltage (but for several hundred watts RF, probably 50vdc)
3- able to locate at tower or dish, no low-loss cable needed
Disadvantages:
1- heavy power supply either located at tower-top, or
2- HD dc wiring to amp  (probably at least #6awg depending on length 
of power leads; in shack my 12v-50A supply has 14-feet of welding 
cable to the main dc power terminal strip)
3- Amp requires air-cooling fan (especially if running JT-65)

I'm not experienced with the amps listed so do not know of any 
special quirks.  CW, FM, JT-65 can be run on class-C amps, but if you 
are going to run SSB then linear amps are needed.

My first amp for eme was a 120w final stage of a 2m repeater (MOT 
Micor).  I ran CW with it.  I now have a RFC 2-315 linear that I push 
to 185w by running at 14.2 vdc.  But I am building a 8877 that will 
be inside the shack with 7/8 hardline run to eme tower.

I've often thought if a 1000w ss-amp could be obtained at a 
reasonable cost that would be preferable to running 1500w in shack 
and losing 500w in feedline to the antennas.  I expect this may 
become a reality in the next few years?

73 Ed - KL7UW