W6PQL 1.25KW Freescale Amplifier bz ZL4PLM

[ZL4PLM]

Here it is!

Finished tested and installed and making QSO's off the moon.

I've spent some time and effort and a few $$$ getting this amp the way I wanted it ... ie a genuine replacement for a commercial amp.

Its built around a 1K25 Freescale 50V device. Using a pallet from Jim W6PQL.

The case is from Front Panel Express. All custom made.

Bargraphs are custom made via an ebay supplier.

Runs a cool 1.2KW into the Bird load.

On air it sits at 1KW on the nose and does not move. I have a small input attenuator so the IC-9100 runs about 40W. A bit of added protection.

Already making some good QSO's on moonbounce with it.

Runs 50V at 32A for 1.2KW out 29A for 1KW

Very pleased with it!

Uses a variety of Jims boards for amp controllers, FET switches, RF measurements etc.

Anyway ... started work on 432 now which will be a matching case size and shape

73 Simon ZL4PLM

[VK3QI]

Simon,

Any issues with the right angled N connector on the output at 1Kw?

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

[ZL4PLM]

Simon,

Any issues with the right angled N connector on the output at 1Kw?

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

Hi Peter

no.. they are Suhner ones ... no issues at all with heating or losses

73 Simon

[VK3QI]

Thanks Simon,

I know that I have to be especially careful with the right angles at 400watts on 1.2 Ghz, so wondered about 1Kw on 144MHz. I notice that Jim uses straight through connectors on his 144MHz version, but uses right angles on the 220MHz version.

Good luck with the loudenboomer!

Cheers

Peter VK3QI

[VK3APW]

Hi Simon,
nice job on the amp. May I ask where you sourced the power supply please?
I am need of such a beast to power an amp of mine.

Regards

Peter vk3apw.

[VK2XAX]

Very impressive - Well done!

cheers

Tim

[ZL4PLM]

Hi Simon,
nice job on the amp. May I ask where you sourced the power supply please?
I am need of such a beast to power an amp of mine.

Regards

Peter vk3apw.

Peter PM

[ZL4PLM]

Very impressive - Well done!

cheers

Tim

Cheers Tim

it just ran 2 hrs of EME at 1KW 1 min periods and barely warm

it def delivers!

[VK4KZK]

Hi Simon

I am about to start the VHF amp and also the UHF amp myself. I have just logged onto this forum and saw the pics of the amp. The output/input power bargraphs and the SWR bargraphs are fantastic...where did you get them?.... or is it a double lot of Jim's barograph setups to give the expanded scale

Mark

VK4KZK / VK4OI

[VK2GOM]

...Bargraphs are custom made via an ebay supplier...

73 Simon ZL4PLM

Mark, in your enthusiasm you might have missed the write-up in the first post!

There is also an article by Jim on the 1kW 2m Freescale boards in this months QST.

73 - Rob VK2GOM / GW0MOH

[VK5PJ]

For those who do not want to or cannot build the raw amp but are happy to build up the bits around an existing amplifier module, I would suggest you have a look at the ITALAB.IT web site. They can provide you with a ready made amplifier in PALET format (populated board mounted on copper heat spreader) a BOX format where it is all mounted up on a heatsink with covers and output filters, including FWD and REVERSE power sensors and of course a Full plug in and operate amplifier.

http://italab.it/prodotti_uk.php?cat=3

Their workmanship is very nice and they are friendly to deal with, a 2M or 6M 1KBox is around 850 euros. They are also happy to customise their input attenuator modules to suite the drive level of your rig or if you talk nicely (usually a user pays option) they wil include multiple attenuators for you to select the right one for your station. Of course there is the usual foriegn currency transfers to deal with so it is not quite as simple as an ebay purchase but the wonderfull feeling of unpacking the box when it arrives negates the pain of standing in the queue at the bank

Regards,
Peter, vk5pj

[VK4KZK]

Thanks for the headsup on the bargraphs yes I did miss that I have sent Simon a PM to see if he will let me have some info on them. I am pretty keen on getting this going. i have the RFham kit for the VHF and had it for quite a while when it first came out in Dubus but have been too busy to do anything about it. I have been slowly getting the other parts together on it and looking at all the ones that have been made including Jim's great work on his versions. I will mod the board as he has done. Most of the internals will be Jim's as well the only things I am looking for is decent high power coax relays...this is a lot of power and the relay needs to be super good for the job. Also haven't decided if I will make my own directional coupler or try to pick one up of ebay or elsewhere. I have the HP server 50 volt supplys picked a few of them up cheap off ebay in the USA...cost just as much for freight as the supplys did.

Mark

[ZL4PLM]

Hi all

the Bargraphs came from Ebay

do a search for led bargraphs and look for items from the bargraph company called "ledbargraph"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-30-Segment-Do ... 2321b651da

choose the operating voltage and FSD you need and you're away

Cheers

Simon ZL4PLM

[VK4CRO]

hi to All, where do I search for a suitable Heatsink extrusion for this Amp module .
I thinking of putting together w6pql kit\
ciao Ron vk4cro@wia.org

[ZL4PLM]

Ron

depends on yr operating needs

for JT65 or FSK441 you need a good ducted sink

I got mine from RFham in France - it can run for hours and barely gets warm

For SSB/CW use you can build a ducted sink using a good sized sink and some fans and alu plate to form a duct

Cheers

Simon ZL4PLM

[VK4KZK]

I got my heatsinks from the same company Jim gets his. Heatsinks USA its all online and pretty painless although the freight was dearer than the heatsinks it still arrived here at a cheap price. I got the 10.02 heatsinks with the .375 inch base at 8 inch wide I ordered 3 of them the total cost was around $110 the freight was $130. so the 3 heatsinks only cost landed here $80.00 each...and they are fantastic heatsinks.

[VK2AAH]

Wow, that freight bill is extremely high... If you want to save alot of money shipping from the US I strongly recommend My American Shipper... for what you paid for heatsink material I could come close to landing an Ameritron AL811 here for just a bit more (via DHL).

http://www.myamericanshipper.com/

I use it almost every month...

Cheers,


Richard
VK2AAH

[VK4KZK]

I had not seen that mob before but I don't usually get stuff that heavy or in size. If I get any more or similar gear I may try them and see what they are like.

Mark