I realize the type acceptance applied to commercially made equipment.
However, I find it odd that a licensed amateur can build an amp that
violates the regulations the commercial builders are required to
follow. (I.E. Drive power) I'm not doubting it; just find it a little
odd. :-)

Also, if I remember correctly, a licensed amateur can build ONE RF Amp
in one calendar year. Anyone building more than one amp must apply for
an FCC grant or type acceptance. (Again, please correct me if I'm
wrong) I remember reading this in the ARRL handbook in the late 90's,
that was over five years ago so this law may have changed.

Are there any ARRL publications, especially the handbook, which contain
plans for a linear amp which will run on 5-25 watts drive power?


Chuck Harris wrote:
First, IANAL, but this is the internet, so here goes:

Type acceptance does apply to linear amplifiers commercially "made
for amateur"
use. There are requirements that the amplifier not be usable above
the 15 meter
band, and not be usable with drive levels below 50 watts. There are
also rules
about how far below carrier the spurious emissions must be. In order
for a
commercial entity to sell a linear amplifier for amateur use, in the
US, it must
be type accepted.

The Palomar Elite is a commercially built linear amplifier that was
not type
accepted. As a result, the sale of the linear amplifier in the US
was
illegal. Any use of the linear amplifier (amateur or otherwise) is
also illegal.

When Heath sold the SB220 and other linears, after the law came into
effect,
they made the amplifiers only work to 15 meters. You could buy a kit
that
would allow operation on 10 meters, but only after showing them a
valid
amateur radio license. Notice that these amplifiers were compliant
with the
FCC rules even though they were kits!

Now, for the other side of the coin: A licensed amateur radio
operator may
build and use *anything* he wants, as long as it meets the
requirements for
the service. He may also modify the radios from any service to be
usable in
the amateur radio service. So, if you have an 11 meter CB, and you
modify
it to operate on 10 meters, that is fine. If you want to build an
amplifier
that takes the 10W or so SSB from that transceiver, and boosts it to
a full
gallon, that is fine too.

The type acceptance laws only apply to the commercial manufacturer.
The
big question before the house is: can an illegally manufactured and
sold product
ever become legal to possess and use? The legal answer is probably
not,
in spite of the fact that it would be perfectly legal for an amateur
to build
such a product for his own use.

-Chuck Harris