The Ramsey pre-amps are high gain and sensitive particularly considering the price. I use them on a discone for general reception, usually hooked to a PCR-1000. The only problem I have had is lightning susceptability. I have never had one survive a summer on the Virginia coast. I want to try again with a gas discharge tube in front of it. Also, the broad bandwidth increases intermod. Seems like not a problem for a handheld application unless you like to point antennas at the sky during thunderstorms.
John, KN4GE ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] on behalf of K5OE [[email protected]] Sent: 04 March 2011 09:31 To: [email protected] Subject: [amsat-bb] Battery-powered UHF Preamp suitable for Arrow or Elk andHT? Bryan, I built a cheap (about $17 as I recall) little Ramsey UHF preamp in a small enclosure with a 9 V battery rubber-banded to the Arrow boom, but found the Arrow had so much gain at 70 cm, even AO-27 was workable at the horizon. I used an external MFJ diplexer in lieu of the Arrow built-in-handle diplexer to protect the preamp from RF on transmit (worked fine, BTW). If you don't find you can hear that well, take a look at your coax and connectors between the antenna and the rig for unusual losses. I occasionally see the ARR non-relay preamps going on ebay for under $50 as well, and one of those with a double-ended BNC connector would bolt right onto the Arrow driven element connector. 73, Jerry, K5OE > Does anyone have a recommendation for a UHF preamp suitable for use with an > HT and an Arrow? I always wish I had one when I listen for SO-50... it seems > like it ought to be inline with BNC connectors and battery powered to > maintain portability... > Thanks in advance! > Bryan Green KL7CN > Usually /W6 in CM98fn 408-836-7279 _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via [email protected]. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
