Any amplifier which isn't certified under FCC Part 97 rules and regulations shouldn't be used. No discussion about amateur amplifiers would be complete without mentioning non-certified amplifiers. It's important to remember, during SSB transmission, a 500 watt PEP (output) amplifier will dissipate approximately 250 watts of heat! Emphasis needs to be put on adequate ventilation! Far too many try to hide their amps under seats, and in cubby holes. They also need to be mounted securely, and in an area with adequate ventilation. Most manufacturers make remote control easy for you, but you don't always need what they say you need. Part of the equation as mentioned above, is remote control. A typical installation, including a second battery (almost always needed), heavy-duty wiring, a few unforeseen pieces of hardware, can easily run to over $2,000, and a few even double that! Complete with remote control (a prerequisite), the delivered price is close to $1,200. Currently the only new 500 watt class amplifier (really just 400 watts PEP) on the market is the ALS-500 (older models are listed at the end of this article). The truth is, most operators would be better off ERP (Effective Radiated Power) wise, by upgrading their antenna and/or mounting style! So we're assuming here, that you've wrung out every last drop of efficiency from your antenna? If you haven't, do that first, as it improves both your transmitted and receive signal strength. The decision to buy an HF amplifier has ramifications beyond the obvious ones, not the least of which are the capabilities of the antenna system the extra dose of power is fed to. Contents: Basics Antenna Consideration Power consideration Speech Compression Use Drive Level Remote Controlling Mounting Ameritron Henry Radio Metron 1000B SGC TenTec Hercules

Power amplifier repair