Rob wrote:
Tim Wescott wrote:
If one were very clever one may be able to make the last leg of the
attenuator a pair of back-to-back diodes that would clip at a moderately
low level, protecting the module while still allowing it to work when you
_do_ set the radio to low power.

I don't think it is a good idea to have a signal clipped by diodes,
then amplified by a wideband amplifier and fed into a transmitting antenna.
But hey, to each his likings!

....And wallet size if FCC attention is grabbed

Robert Cherry wrote:
Stuart Longland;685473 Wrote:
I was wondering if anyone knew of a solid state 2m linear amp project
that I could build. I'm looking for no more than about 30W. It'll be
primarily used for FM, driven from my handheld radio. Bonus points if
it can do 70cm too (or at least allow pass-through unattenuated...).

Stuart,

Unless you absolutely want the experience of building, you may (I don't
know the situation in Australia) be able to find a used mobile 2m or
2m/70cm tranceiver for a reasonable price. My used Yaesu FT-2800M cost
me 100 Canadian dollars. I had been thinking of buying an amp for my HT
but discovered it is easier to simply buy a transceiver that gives me 25
watts along with 3 other power choices.

This is the ultimate aim... will be to purchase a newer radio. I have
my eyes set on a FT-897D, but it'll require quite some saving to
acquire the necessary cash.

I would still like to homebrew a linear amp though, as the final stage
for homebrew transceivers. This would be something that I'd be
looking to do in order to improve my understanding of
radiocommunications.

I'm also aware that I need not use a linear amp for FM (or CW/PSK,
class-C amps work for these modes), but since the homebrewing
mentioned above may also include AM and SSB, I figure a linear is
going to give me much better flexibility.

Stuart Longland wrote:
snip
I'm also aware that I need not use a linear amp for FM (or CW/PSK,
class-C amps work for these modes), but since the homebrewing
mentioned above may also include AM and SSB, I figure a linear is
going to give me much better flexibility.
==========================================
Before considering a RF power amplifier for SSB operation ,get the best
possible antenna(s) for the relevant bands .
These will give you even better fexibility .

Frank GM0CSZ / KN6WH