Altoids 15-20W PA Smoketest (RF Amplifier In Altoids Tin)

I'm just firing this unit up, but I have to check my connections. I can pass signal, and the trimmers are responsive, but no gain.
This is an amateur radio amplifier designed to boost the signal of the popular ATS3B QRP (low power) transceiver. It was designed by Japanese ham JN1GLB and released in a very small run in Japan. The full plans and assembly instructions are found on the AT Sprint QRP y a h o o group by the same name. Cheers!
7J1AWL/KC7FYS
PS. I am a fairly inexperienced ham with knowledge of RF theory a bit on the paltry side. This smoke test shows that the Altoids PA was load mismatched, or wouldn't transmit into the dummy load I was using.
I sent the unit to JN1GLB for calibration, and found that I'd actually done it right. The problem was that I wasn't using an actual antenna. When I transmitted into my dipole (which oddly enough is resonant somewhere around 6.5Mhz...) through an MFJ antenna tuner, I got a full 20watts out. Nice amplifier for when QRP just ain't cuttin' the mustard.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• JN1GLB
• 7J1AWL
• Altoids
• PA
• Kit
• QRP
• Radio
• Amateur
• Homebrew
• Ham

[rhymeswithdreidel]

you are just as much of a ham as anyone else--probably more! don't sell yourself short.

there are so many who will never pick up a soldering iron or attempt a kit or try to homebrew anything. i know you have fought with Mr. Colpitts in the past, but getting your hands dirty like that is a great way to learn the workings of our magical hobby. 73

[kc7fys]

@rhymeswithdreidel The feud between that Colpitts 'n I is ongoing.

[rhymeswithdreidel]

"this cup is an abomination!"

-- sarah

[kc7fys]

@rhymeswithdreidel Oh... I'm embarrassed of this video. I never was a "qualified" ham--more of an assembler. As such, I did enjoy it. Still do. But this vid is BO-RING!

[sinclairbrett]

did it finally work

g1nyp

[kc7fys]

Despite this terribly boring video--yes. It's a great little unit.

[badphobar]

good size device

i would like to build one

thanks

73s ve6lck

[badphobar]

good size device

i would like to build one

thanks

[aresere]

good friend could post or send me a list of materials needed to make an amp like yours if you can list in Spanish please thanks

[ICOM2957]

Thanks and 73