David and Lexa,
My observations on most RF power amplifiers is that gain is higher at
lower drive levels so proportionally there is more output. e.g. full
drive =10w, half drive = 7w, quarter drive = 5w. So one finds that
an amplifier hits a minimum output with lowered drive that is not
linear with change in drive level. Yet these amplifiers sound fine
in SSB so must have good linearity.
My 50w 2m transverter actually will produce nearly 60w with 1.5mw
drive and 35w with 0.73 mw, but minimum output with 0.1mw is about
15w. I insert a 3-dB attenuator to get down to 7w output to drive my
150w amp to 55w which is the drive required for 1400w with my
2m-8877. I prefer this arrangement vs running the transverter near
max at 55w when running digital modes (less heat stress on the
transverter amp which also translates as less thermal frequency
drift). My 25w 1296 transverter runs 20w at full output and about 8w
with minimum drive. I've seen this consistently with RF power
amplifiers (my HF amps operate similarly)
73, Ed - KL7UW
http://www.kl7uw.com
"Kits made by KL7UW"
Dubus Mag business:
[email protected]
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