Ham Radio Amplifiers
Considerate Use

Many amateur radio operators consider that using ham radio amplifiers at full legal power (1500 watts maximum in many countries) ... is like shooting fish in a shallow creek at close range with a double barreled shotgun!

Where's the sport in that?

On the other hand... there are circumstances that justify using full legal power, or at least, higher power than most transceivers put out.

Those circumstances do not include casual DXing and most certainly not "local" rag chewing!

Here are some of the justifiable circumstances for using high RF power output.

Emergency Traffic Handling

One of the major reasons behind all the privileges that we enjoy as amateur radio operators is that at least some of us are expected to serve as volunteers to supply emergency communication services when disaster strikes.

Important Scheduled Contacts

Amateur radio amplifiers may be required to communicate, on a pre-established schedule, with friends or family who are located in isolated parts of the world where public communication facilities do not exists.

Moonbounce (EME)

Some of the more technically inclined among us like to bounce VHF, UHF or SHF signals off the moon to reach other hams that are normally beyond normal range.

Of course, besides an amateur radio amplifier, one needs to have the space for the antenna arrays!

HF DX Contests

Many serious contesters will regularly have to use an amateur radio amplifier to "punch" through heavy QRM and/or QRN. After all, prestigious awards are often at stake!

Safety First!

Good operating practice is to use as little power as necessary to maintain solid contact during a QSO.

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