"Dennis" ) writes:
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. :-)

But this is because the rules are about commercially manufactured
amplifiers, not general rules that apply to the amateur service.

Again, we are not talking about laws intended for hams. This amplifier
law is about amplifiers that are illegally used for cb or bootleggers.
The only reason it impacts on amateur radio is because there is no real
way of making an amplifier that only works on ten meters, and not at
all on adjacent frequencies.

How do restrict amplifiers that use to be labelled "illegal for Class
D Citizen Band use" even though they were on the same page as the CB sets?
Well, you can start by requiring drive power that is higher than CB
sets put out. Yes, hams can require amplifiers that use little drive, but
generally it was easy to see from the drive specs what amplifiers were
intended for illegal CB use.

Put in rules that do not allow amplifiers that cover the frequency range.
Hence the elimination of 10meter position on amplifiers intended for ham
radio.

And so on, for whatever the rules state exactly.

The rules will be a problem to some hams, but relatively few. Only a handful
will need low drive requirements. Since it's amateur radio, the individual
has a greater chance of knowing how to fix the problem of no 10meter band on
the amps. And of course, since it's amateur radio, they can always build what
they need. The rules haven't changed amateur radio, they've changed the state
of commercial amplifiers.

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.

That's because you have to define "manufactured". If an individual can
make an amplifier and sell it, then it bypasses the issue completely,
because it still makes amplifiers available for illegal use. One amplifier
a year (and it may specifically say one of the same design), should not
be a hardship for a ham, because realistically they won't need anymore.


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



Of course they are, though who knows if they are shown as stand alone units.
After all, one has to build a linear to get low level stages up to a higher
power. And given current design, they are likely to be broadband amplifiers,
with external filtering.

If you don't see stand alone amplifiers, that's because there is little
need. Most rigs already put out more power than the 50watts or whatever.

Michael VE2BVW