Linear Amp or Multimode radio - what to do?

Hi all,

I am looking for some opinions here. I have tried for 12-18 months to do some dx'ing - unfortunately I am yet to make a contact. I have been working an inverted v  dipole in the loft using only 4w radios on UK40 and EU40, I have heard plenty just don't.feel like I am getting out. 

As those of you I am sure will have done before me calling CQ CQ CQ until blue in the face and to receive no contact can be a little disheartening. 

This brings me on to my dilemma, do I buy a linear Amp to provide 40-60w (real power) at say £100 and keep running.my FM/AM rigs - will this guarantee success? 

OR

Do I buy a Multimode / SSB radio with similar output power and the additional modes (LSB & USB) at say £200

I appreciate many people use SSB for DX and seemingly any reasonably local nets appear to have gone to USB also which is a shame for those with FM capability only. 

Apologies for an odd question I guess like all hobbies the answer is not always just about throwing more money at something to make it right.

I also have a T2LT on a  pole which I will be using this season for my DX activities. 

Thank you for taking the time to read and respond.

Regards, 

Tony

To add to my query above - I am looking at the CRT 6900N / Anyone AT5555 at present and so if anyone has any experience, good & bad of these radios I would be interested to hear.

Many thanks.

Tony
26CT4488

I would go for the CRT-6900N/Anytone-AT5555.

Hi Tony.
Knights have a used, as new and boxed CRT SS 9900 v4 for £169 if that's any good to you.

More power than the 6900 and better clarifier and mic.

Hi Sharpshooter - thanks for your message, I will go and check it out

Hi Tony.

Before doing either option I would consider your antenna situation. A loft antenna is a big compromise and at higher powers could cause all sorts of problems with regard to RFI. The attenuation on RX & TX will be significant also.

Is it possible to get an external antenna erected the difference will be like night and day! You say you have a T2LT to put on a pole is this going to be outside?

The majority of 11 meter DX will be on and around 27.555 which might steer you towards a multimode radio. That being said the midblock will open up to Europe in the summer E-skip season and as we progress towards solar maximum world wide DX will be fairly easy.

In summary your standard four watts isn't really enough to get yourself heard but if you can get your antenna up outside and add a little power you'll have as much chance as the rest of us. 

I would go for a RM KL203P to give a little more grunt and use the T2LT outside on a pole that will suit you for the UK & EU band radios you already have. In the future I'd grab a decent multimode radio you can still use KL203P linear and turn the power down on the radio itself.

Let us know what you decide to do and how you get on.

73's Gary.

Hiya Tony,

I would definitely recommend going to SSB for DX, so the SS9900 would open up a world of possibilities for you, especially as you have a T2LT already bud.....you'll get all over the world with that set-up!

Best regards,

Simon.

Hi Toni 
Well as a radio operator for well over 40 years and having some well many rigs and antennas it's always a difficult one depending on your location and circumstances it's always a good thing to ask if your not sure whether it's on a forum or even a good radio shop say like Moonraker or Martin lynch they have a staff who are very helpful.
I run a few rigs my main one being the 7300 and a ICOM 706 MK2 and a CRT 7900 which is a good radio for mobile use. I'm a bit like you I use a G5 RV in the loft and a sirio 2016 which is very good BUT suffer from dreadful noise from some local to me and this hampers my dxing some days bloody annoying and also having power lines right above me also.so question is what antenna ? Well if your restricted for a decent vertical go for a dipole work well and fairly descret if you have arsy neighbours or if not run the wire dipole outside that will work well depending on the angle of it.
So hope this helps 73 ...

GaryWilson wrote:

Hi Tony.

Before doing either option I would consider your antenna situation. A loft antenna is a big compromise and at higher powers could cause all sorts of problems with regard to RFI. The attenuation on RX & TX will be significant also.

Is it possible to get an external antenna erected the difference will be like night and day! You say you have a T2LT to put on a pole is this going to be outside?

The majority of 11 meter DX will be on and around 27.555 which might steer you towards a multimode radio. That being said the midblock will open up to Europe in the summer E-skip season and as we progress towards solar maximum world wide DX will be fairly easy.

In summary your standard four watts isn't really enough to get yourself heard but if you can get your antenna up outside and add a little power you'll have as much chance as the rest of us. 

I would go for a RM KL203P to give a little more grunt and use the T2LT outside on a pole that will suit you for the UK & EU band radios you already have. In the future I'd grab a decent multimode radio you can still use KL203P linear and turn the power down on the radio itself.

Let us know what you decide to do and how you get on.

73's Gary.

Hi Gary,

I ended up getting a a RM KL203 linear (not the pre-amp version). It is night and day compared to standard power from my QTH. I have given up with the loft antenna and have had a few contacts on FM using the T2LT in my garden - well chuffed! The Mids have been a bit quiet recently, I read most bands are due to recent solar flares etc. Once the propagation picks up again I will try and see if I can make some contacts into Europe and beyond (who knows). I would love to get a contact on AM too - have heard the US a couple of times but appreciate it would be a big ask on 40W across the pond. 

Kind regards,

Tony
26CT4488

kilomike wrote:

Hello Tony,
i have hyendfed home made in the Loft and a delta loop works from 40m-10m with the ATU, lucky i have no alum installation on the roof tiles inside the loft.
The End fed runs up the rafters and back down zig zaged to fit, i Can work what i hear within my power permission as I can only use 10w on HF, on comparisons to the antenna outside it is 2-3 s points down on receive but it works ok. It is a compromised antenna but it suits my needs.
I did hook up my WSPR to both of the antennas and with 200milliwatts I was heard in VK and ZL (Australia and New Zealand) also into the States and Antarctica. The attenna pattern shows a good spread all over Europe and beyond very happy with it.    
So don’t be dishearten using a antenna in the loft.  When working 11m i do turn on the amp as its inside, so for me i would look at getting another radio that can run more power or buy a cheap amp.
hope this helps regards  Tony

Hi Tony,

Thanks for your reply - I am very impressed with your contact down under on 200mw, that is amazing!

You make some really good points above. Since posting I have bought a cheap RM KL203 amp and have had some good copies so will stick at it for now and see how I get on. 

The next challenge is getting some DX contacts when the conditions are right. 

Kind regards,

Tony
26CT4488