Are you spying on my HAM life? I have been wanting to compare hits versus misses on my local repeaters, but not with variations in power, but using two different antennas. Testing like this saves a lot of other people's time! Thanks for this one!!!
*Captain KERCHUNKALATOR... At it again - LOL* Glad that it's working for you. I see one for sale on craigslist here locally. Thank you for testing this on air. Looks like a great piece of kit.
I am an antenna guy, I would like to see in tests like this what you are using for an antenna. At 2M you can do a lot with antenna for the price of the amp.
As always, thanks for the great vid Steve. Especially appreciate this vid on the Btech amp. I've been THINKING about getting one of these myself for specific applications (Kenwood TH-72 running APRS). For the $$ it seems OK providing it doesn't get too warm. Our friend in TN, KM4ACK has some vids of using this with his FT3D in a vehicle, and he says zero problems. The other option I've been looking at is picking up something used, like an older radio shack 2m amp. With those, and Mirage, the built-in heat sync is very prominent, making me think they may have an edge regarding heat managment. So, still thinking on this end....but always enjoy seeing vids on equipment I'm thinking of adding to the shack! 73, Tim.
I have one of those older amps to test out, and I agree in your thoughts... I'd only add that 40+ year newer tech should be better designed to handle heat and be more efficient... should...
I'm really interested in that XPA125B you've talked about in other videos. I wonder how it would do with something like a QMX pocket radio and *the right battery* (hint hint).
that a great little amp. I have the UHF one. does the same with power with drive, it max out. has limit on power. I use on HT . wish they had a UHF/VHF dule band one. I run mine on a LiFePO4 battery . great boost into a j-pole antenna. love how it can connects to K1 connector. great for Baofeng HT. 73's
huh - was wondering why a mic jack on an amplifier - I guess that lets you use a regular desk mic or dtmf mic with an HT. Nice for economy operating, but given you can get a whole chinese 25 watt radio for around the same money, or 50+ watt Japanese radio for another $30, not sure if worth it.
It's designed to boost your HT easily - leave this in your car, hard mounted with good power and antenna. Then take your HT when you leave. Check out this demo th-cam.com/video/9kj-xGTzh7E/w-d-xo.html
I always found the a good antenna and hight let me hit repeaters with out a hill in way reliably 20miles away. When I could get 25w I could get on one blocked by a hill with reflections. So what antenna did you use and how high? Thank you for the video on the FT817/8.
@thuff3207 I tested every antenna I could get my hands on a while back and for grins I tried the DX Commander and I was very happy with the results: th-cam.com/video/pKUC7GbflCo/w-d-xo.html
I use the non digital version on my gmrs repeater. My repeater is a pair of Motorolas cdm 1550s, have set max at 2w, at 2.5 the amp freaks out for some reason but is happy below or at 2 pushing out 30w at the duplexer. Clean, zero issues and no worries about my duty cycle or heat with my repeater.
Good question, This was a year ago, but I'm guessing I was on battery power. I need to play with this radio some more. It is very capable and that equals fun!
@@temporarilyoffline nice, all great radio's and all have their pro's and con's. I'd be happy with the 7100 if I could find one that wasn't overpriced or gone in half a day. Lol 👍
Well done. Some of the most entertaining technical videos on TH-cam. Keep it up Steve.
Thanks!
Are you spying on my HAM life? I have been wanting to compare hits versus misses on my local repeaters, but not with variations in power, but using two different antennas. Testing like this saves a lot of other people's time! Thanks for this one!!!
Glad it helped! We can ham further, faster together!
It definitely does it thing. Thanks for being awesome and sharing.
Thank you Adam!
*Captain KERCHUNKALATOR... At it again - LOL* Glad that it's working for you. I see one for sale on craigslist here locally. Thank you for testing this on air. Looks like a great piece of kit.
Its only Kerchunking if you actually open the repeater ;-)
I am an antenna guy, I would like to see in tests like this what you are using for an antenna. At 2M you can do a lot with antenna for the price of the amp.
Hey, I have a video for that! th-cam.com/video/pKUC7GbflCo/w-d-xo.html
@@temporarilyoffline 😅😅
As always, thanks for the great vid Steve. Especially appreciate this vid on the Btech amp. I've been THINKING about getting one of these myself for specific applications (Kenwood TH-72 running APRS). For the $$ it seems OK providing it doesn't get too warm. Our friend in TN, KM4ACK has some vids of using this with his FT3D in a vehicle, and he says zero problems. The other option I've been looking at is picking up something used, like an older radio shack 2m amp. With those, and Mirage, the built-in heat sync is very prominent, making me think they may have an edge regarding heat managment. So, still thinking on this end....but always enjoy seeing vids on equipment I'm thinking of adding to the shack! 73, Tim.
I have one of those older amps to test out, and I agree in your thoughts... I'd only add that 40+ year newer tech should be better designed to handle heat and be more efficient... should...
thanks for posting this video. You answered a question I have been wondering about for quite a while now?
Glad I could help!
I use an 80w rm italy amplifier with my 818, it's really useful, with a directional antenna you can do ft8
Nice!
The cartographic term for the little markers on the map are "placemarks".
Thanks!
I'm really interested in that XPA125B you've talked about in other videos. I wonder how it would do with something like a QMX pocket radio and *the right battery* (hint hint).
😂
I need to get my QDX with PTT finished up and then I'll test it out.
that a great little amp. I have the UHF one. does the same with power with drive, it max out. has limit on power. I use on HT . wish they had a UHF/VHF dule band one. I run mine on a LiFePO4 battery . great boost into a j-pole antenna. love how it can connects to K1 connector. great for Baofeng HT. 73's
Yeah, the work great and are very versatile. I have a few more tests I want to run with it.
Thanks for sharing!
You're welcome!
Hey T.O. Do a video on the DYC -817/818 speech compressor build. And tune. Thanks mike.
That's a great idea! Its on the list.
Great video tnx bro!
Ubet!
Thanks. Nice review as usual. On the VHF Model I see an Analog Model and Analog & Digital Model. Which one did you use? 73
I used the digital model, but in analog mode. I have to find a place where I can use DMR with it still... so more videos.
@@temporarilyoffline Thanks for the quick reply. Much appreciated
huh - was wondering why a mic jack on an amplifier - I guess that lets you use a regular desk mic or dtmf mic with an HT. Nice for economy operating, but given you can get a whole chinese 25 watt radio for around the same money, or 50+ watt Japanese radio for another $30, not sure if worth it.
It's designed to boost your HT easily - leave this in your car, hard mounted with good power and antenna. Then take your HT when you leave. Check out this demo th-cam.com/video/9kj-xGTzh7E/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the video. Did you test the current draw?
Not yet!
What class of amp is this, TO? Does it work for SSB, or is it FM/FT8 only?
I'm assuming FM/DMR/D-Star/Fusion etc only. Not sure on the class, I don't see it listed in the info.
what is the swr between the radio and the ampifier? is that something to be concerned of?
It /should/ be 50ohms by design. Something else to test!
I always found the a good antenna and hight let me hit repeaters with out a hill in way reliably 20miles away. When I could get 25w I could get on one blocked by a hill with reflections. So what antenna did you use and how high? Thank you for the video on the FT817/8.
I use my DX Commander
@@temporarilyoffline I did not know the DX Commander did 2M.
@thuff3207 I tested every antenna I could get my hands on a while back and for grins I tried the DX Commander and I was very happy with the results: th-cam.com/video/pKUC7GbflCo/w-d-xo.html
Steve, what antenna did you use?
My DX Commander!
At 3.31 swr most of your power is going back down the radio and the radio is only 5 watts
Sure is
What vhf antenna are you using?
The DX Commander
I use the non digital version on my gmrs repeater. My repeater is a pair of Motorolas cdm 1550s, have set max at 2w, at 2.5 the amp freaks out for some reason but is happy below or at 2 pushing out 30w at the duplexer. Clean, zero issues and no worries about my duty cycle or heat with my repeater.
Nice! I didn't think about doing GMRS with it. Mine is the 2m version. Might be a stretch?
@@temporarilyoffline yep, mine is uhf. Max 30 out the coax before duplexer and antenna regardless of the power..same for my ht's I tried.
This amp isn't a repeater grade product. Not only that, I am not sure if it's FCC type accepted for GMRS use.
That should help with some 2m pota contacts. Probably need moar battery.
Moar Power!
yeah but is it clean?
We'll have to see!
Great video. Does it have a pre-amp too? Thanks. 73.
Pre amp?
For amplifying incoming signal.
@@barryzoll9772 oh. I wasn't thinking about that... I don't see any buttons or functions for that.
Thanks. And thanks for all you do. Your videos are entertaining and informative.
Thanks, I appreciate that.
Whyn is the full power 3w when that radio is 6w?
Good question, This was a year ago, but I'm guessing I was on battery power. I need to play with this radio some more. It is very capable and that equals fun!
You desperately need a shack in the box, me too.:)
I have 4 now- 705, 7100, 818, FTM100 all of them are fun!
@@temporarilyoffline nice, all great radio's and all have their pro's and con's. I'd be happy with the 7100 if I could find one that wasn't overpriced or gone in half a day. Lol 👍
How many more fars will it do?
All the fars!
I had one of these and there's an rx loss in my experience.
It's all about balance
QRO is the way.
Most of the time!
Maybe run an HT on it. 73
Good idea
I am looking for about your product place lace me message .when I post this , I am looking for more information on this have with ham radio
What are you looking for?