Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2026 10:28:49 -0700 From: Jim Brown <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Topband: 5kW amps
On 6/26/2026 5:16 AM, jim.thom jim.thom--- via Topband wrote: > In all due respect to K9YC, if I can't operate ragchew SSB on 160m, I > throw in the towel. Hi Jim, I've never cared about SSB on 160M -- I'm into RADIO, not ragchewing. All of my 70 years in ham radio, much of what I've heard on phone, dating back to AM days right up to NOW, has been talk from the sewer. Sure, there are exceptions -- after moving to NorCal in 2006, I've long heard a fine group on 160M just above 1840 kHz. I respect the technical side of building gear, including big amps. But it's nuts to try to use big amps on city and suburban lots, where we're surrounded by neighbors who create massive noise and whose consumer gear, nearly all of which is built with massive RF susceptibility, would be overwhelmed by high power. This is NOT about off the air TV getting blown away, it's about everything from garage door openers and computer setups to home entertainment systems. 73, Jim K9YC ## here is my take on it. If no issues with 1.5 kw PO, another 1-6db isn't going to be an issue. But, you can reach the point where all of a sudden you reach the 'breakthrough' region and start having rfi issues. Most of those RFI issues are readily solved, but not always. I gave up on contesting years ago. At most, make a few contacts, that's it, and don't send in a log either. I never was a hardcore Dx'er. If it's there fine, if not...too bad. I don't actively seek em out. To each his own I guess. I'm more into experimentation and testing new concepts these days. later.... Jim VE7RF _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
