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: amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org [amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] on behalf of K5OE [k5oe@aol.com] Sent: 04 March 2011 09:31 To: amsat-bb@amsat.org 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
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