Amateur Radio RF Amplifiers: Design, Build, and Repair
Find schematics, design guides, and modification resources for building and maintaining tube and solid-state RF amplifiers.
RF power amplifiers are essential for many ham radio operators looking to boost their signal on the bands, especially for DX and contest operation. Building an amplifier from scratch or modifying an existing unit is a rewarding project for hams with electronics skills. This category focuses on homebrew amplifier designs, offering schematics, construction guides, and practical advice for both tube and solid-state circuits.
Operators can find detailed articles on specific tube types like the 3-500Z or GI-7B, along with design aids such as TANKIT for optimizing pi networks. There are also resources for understanding solid-state linear amplifiers and troubleshooting common issues like parasitic oscillations in units like the SB220. Many hams share their personal amplifier projects, including designs using the 4-1000A or 3CPX800, providing valuable insights into practical construction and testing.
Subcategories
- HF Amplifiers (76)
- RF Amplifiers Theory (14)
- UHF Amplifiers (17)
- VHF Amplifiers (54)
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The Smith Chart was originally created many years ago as an RF engineering aid by Phillip Smith of RCA.These pages includes extesnive documentation on smith carts. -
This compact little amplifier is the brain-child of Pat Murdoch, ZL1AXB, in Auckland, New Zealand. It is only 11" wide, 4" high, and 9" deep. Operates for 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, and 10m -
Articles and original manuscripts on RF power amplifiers -
AM-6154 222MHz grid Conversion Information by N0UK -
Page on amplification topics. From vacuum tubes to various components, discussion on stability and arcin causes. -
Amps Mailing List Archives -
Linear amplifier related mailing list -
This versatile broadband amplifier is used in several DX Lab projects. -
QST Article on what you should know about matching networks for class C RF power amplifiers -
Detailed photo documentation of a Collins TRC-75 autotune linear amplifier, showcasing its internal modifications and external control unit. -
This is an internet resource for those interested in guitar amplifiers, vacuum tubes, and design tools such as SPICE modelling. -
The GI-7B (GI-70B) microwave triode -
HF and VHF amplifiers homebrewed by GM3WOJ -
Circuits, pictures and data about toroids, tubes and home made power amplifiers -
Excellent article and guide to choose the best RF power amplifier that fit your needs by ON4SKY -
Thierry LOMBRY, ON4SKY, develops in three long articles all you need to know about amplification, and how to seletc an HF and a solid-state amplifier, with pictures. -
Improper tank adjustment and excessive drive are equally harmful to component life, and either can create splatter -
Article describes a circuit that accelerates the coil of DC relays by momentarily doubling their voltage. -
This page describes two modifications W8WWV made to his AL-1200 amplifier. The mods were obtained from Ameritron, so they are official. -
Linear amplifer picture gallery -
This retrofit of a GLA-1000 to GI-7B was done by Lawson, W4EMF, in 2002. Modifying The Dentron GLA-1000B for the GI-7B Triode -
This article explores the claim an amplifier might arc from a parasitic oscillation, damaging capacitors, bandswitches, or other components. -
This little gadget is that it allows you to tune up at full peak output power, whilst limiting the average power to a fraction of the peak, thereby protecting the PA from meltdown -
A lot of good things, not for QRP fans. -
An interface for amplifier to TS-850S -
Source of common model manuals and amateur help on amplifier problems for the amateur bands, Discussion of vacuum tube amplifiers. Technical information and discussion of obselete tube replacement. -
Understanding Solid State Linear Amplifiers -
WV7U YC156 and 3CPX800 amplifier projects. See pictures, schematics, test data, links, and more! -
Modification to an old cellular phone base station modules, with a fairly reduced output power (10 watts or so), the stock power amplifier modules will cover the 2.3 GHz and 2.4 GHz amateur radio bands. -
Article on evaluating HF Power amplifiers and review of popular PA by K0BG -
An interesting article that compares tube amplifiers versus transistor amplifier. -
Matrix of several popular amplifiers currently on the market -
20 Watt Power Amp for Softrock or for QRP transceivers by M0RZF -
Linear amplifiers cold adjustments with network analyser (VNA)
