Technical Articles:
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Some of the projects listed on this site produced requests for PC boards and other parts, so here they are.
Instructions on assembling and use are contained in the articles on this site, as well as close-up component layout pictures to aid in assembly. Surface-mount parts are used throughout, so it is helpful to have some experience in working with them. There is a video here showing some of the techniques used in working with these components.
You can order any of the items listed here using the shopping cart provided, or by sending an email to jim@w6pql.com . Payment can be made with your Paypal account (if you have one), or a credit card of your choice at checkout. Parts are usually sent Priority Mail the next business day. Postage is added at checkout, and can be as low as $7.50 within the U.S., and $25 U.S.D. International. Usually, several kits or parts can be sent in the same box for no additional postage. It can get a bit complex, but the checkout shipping calculator will figure it out for you.
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80 Watt 2 Meter All Mode Amplifier
This pre-populated assembly is offered for builders not wishing to build with surface-mount parts, or are otherwise unable to work with small components. I can customize the input attenuator for whatever drive level you want at no additional cost, just email me after ordering with your requirements (anything from .05w to 10w, 10w is the default if you do not specify). The other components needed for the complete amplifier are not supplied with this assembly, and are listed here. |
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Supplied with all parts except for the crystal and enclosure (both sides of board shown here)
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Mosfet Module Amplifier Board Kit - for any of the Mitsubishi RF modules in the H2 or H2S package; this board will also work with some of the Toshiba SAV modules.
(SMT parts and blank board, does not include the mosfet module itself)
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High Current DC FET Switch, $15 Can switch 12v, 28v, or 48v ranges at more than 30 amps
The version in the kit is Rev 3, an upgrade to the FET switch shown here and in the technical article. The schematic and optimizing table for rev 3 is here.
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The Ultimate Amplifier Control Board (V6)
This is version 6, designed for the highest powered amplifiers and mast-mounted LNA's, with the following functions and features:
The temperature sensor, optional voltage reducer and indicator LEDs are supplied; the user must supply the vswr detector and the fan if those functions are to be used. |
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The current version supplied in the kits is v5, which changes R22 to a trimmer resistor, allowing the input sensitivity to be adjustable from less than 1v to more than 15v. |
Can be used for monitoring RF power, to provide ALC feedback to a driving radio, or an SWR trip signal for the Control Board Kit. |
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23cm High-Power Coupler (Ro4003C)
This coupler is for those of us combining the outputs of larger amplifiers, even the bigger XRF-286, 2C39, or GS-15B high-power amplifiers. Made from thick (.060) Rogers R04003 low-loss substrate, it will handle more than 500W at the output. Requires a termination for the isolated port (like the 150w termination offered below). There is a VIDEO here showing how to connect this coupler. The hardware kit listed below contains an .040 aluminum spacer and the fasteners mentioned in the video. This link demonstrates a layout for combining 4 amplifiers (the layout method is the same as the 13cm couplers shown)
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Lower-cost part for output power levels up to 50w
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DC through UHF input Relay board (please see the technical article here)
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13 cm High Power Coupler (Ro4003c)
This link shows how to connect the coupler This link shows coupling response This link shows return loss response | |
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VHF/UHF Low Pass Filter and Dual Directional Detector board (for use with kilowatt 144, 222 or 432 MHz amplifiers)
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222MHz Kilowatt RF Deck Kit
This kit provides all parts necessary to build the Kilowatt 222MHz amplifier RF deck, including the PC board, 12 ohm and 25 ohm coax cables, ATC chip capacitors, and metal mica matching capacitors. The copper heat spreader and LDMOS transistor are not included (the reference technical article is here). |
222MHz Kilowatt RF Deck, Complete
Fully assembled and tested RF deck mounted on a 3" x 5" x 1/2" copper heat spreader, ready to bolt down to your heat sink. 1kw output minimum; typical output at saturation is 1100 to 1200w. Requires 4 to 5w drive for 1kw out, 50v @ 27a VDD, 12v @ 20ma for bias. Supplied with 24 inch wiring as shown, ready for connection into your system. (the reference technical article is here).
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The complete turn-key amplifier as shown in the web article, using the latest RF pallet. This amplifier also has a sequenced 13.5v power feed for operating a remote LNA, if you use one. Meets all FCC specs for harmonic and spurious signal suppression. Requires a 50v 30a power supply (not included). N0IRS (JD) took the time to make a demo video on the one I built for him, and it can be seen on YouTube here. I build these to order, and it takes about 3 weeks from start to finish. Cost is $2700.00. Engraved front panel and voltmeter are standard now. Shipping within the US is included, international postage is a few $ more. A 10% deposit will get the process started, please contact me via email if you would like one built for you.
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2 Meter Kilowatt RF Deck, Complete(prototype PC board shown in photo)
Fully assembled and tested RF deck mounted on a 3" x 5" x 1/2" copper heat spreader, ready to bolt down to your heat sink. This is the newest RF deck design using coaxial matching capacitors in the critical spots, with DC power feeds directly to the drain connections on the LDMOS device; and the adjustable bias circuit is regulated and temperature compensated. 1kw output minimum, typical output at saturation is 1100 to 1200w. Requires aprox. 2w drive for 1kw out, 50v @ 27a VDD, 12v @ 20ma for bias. Supplied with 24 inch wiring, ready for connection into your system. (the schematic for this unit is here). |
2 Meter Kilowatt RF Deck KitThe kit provides all parts necessary to build the Kilowatt 2 Meter amplifier RF deck, and will work with either the Freescale MRFE6VP1K25H or the NXP BLF578XR LDMOS devices. The board included in the kit has all the latest improvements (temperature compensated bias circuit, separate DC drain feeds to reduce transformer heating, and ruggedized coaxial output matching capacitors). All coax pieces are pre-cut and trimmed, ready to install. The copper heat spreader and LDMOS transistor are not included in the basic kit (the reference technical article is here). |
2 Meter Kilowatt Amplifier PC Board | |
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The complete turn-key amplifier as shown in the web article, using the latest RF pallet. This amplifier also has a sequenced 13.5v power feed for operating a remote LNA, if you use one. Meets all FCC specs for harmonic and spurious signal suppression. Requires a 50v 30a power supply (not included). N0YK (Chad) also made a demo video for the one he has, and his can also be seen on YouTube, as well as on his web site at http://users.wbsnet.org/n0yk/kilowatt.htm I build these to order, and it takes about 3 weeks from start to finish. Cost is $2700.00, shipping within the US is included, international postage is a few $ more. Engraved front panel and voltmeter are standard now. A 10% deposit will get the process started, please contact me via email if you would like one built for you.
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The XRF-286 150w amplifier boards for 23cm are back in stock
The original write-up on this amplifier is here | |
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And the XRF-286 150w amplifier
kits for 23cm are also back in stock
There is a video here showing how to assemble and test this amplifier. | |
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150w 23cm XRF-286 amplifier, assembled and tested to 5.35 x 8"
heat sink, SMA connectors as shown
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Cost is $1700.00 USD plus shipping. Shipping has been running $35 CONUS, and $96 outside of the USA). If you are interested in purchasing this item, please contact me directly via email. | |
Anaren
150w Termination (DC - 2.5 GHz),
$11
For
combining the outputs of two amplifiers (or more), and capable of power levels in excess
of 500w. Supplied with RG401/402 coax fasteners as shown in the photo. Designed
for a frequency range of 2280 to 2500 MHz, and measures aprox. 1.5 inches square.
All
parts requited to build the amplifier are included as shown in the photo (less
heat sink extrusion). Machined heat sinks (5.35 x 8) will be available in
September.
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1 Kilowatt 70cm amplifier, now in stock
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70 cm Amplifier notes Postage for blank boards, basic kits and the copper spreaders runs $7.50 CONUS, and $25 international. If ordering the 1kw spreader, or more than one of the 500w spreaders, postage is higher (due to weight). For the assembled RF decks, USA postage is included in the price, $35 additional for international. For the heaviest product (assembled 1 kw RF deck attached to a heat sink) the additional international postage is $65. The recommended method for attaching LDMOS devices to the copper spreader is flow-soldering. For those builders uncomfortable with the process, this service is available at reasonable rates (contact me via email if you would like this done for you). If you are building from the blank board or the basic kit, the transistors can be ordered from several suppliers; at this time, most of the major distributors have them in stock. The Freescale part number is MRFE6VP5600H. Material for making the copper spreaders and aluminum spacers is available from Onlinemetals.com (specify C110 H04 copper). Heat sink material is available from Heatsinkusa.com (specify the 10" wide material with a .375" base).
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