Question for hams AND CB guys

[AudioShockwav]

Not bagging on anyone Park, just a disscusion.
Really if you have good band conditions, it is surprising how little power you really need.
There are a whole bunch of guys that take pride in running QRP, and a lot of them have full log books.
As far as it goes, even when running an Amp to overcome band conditions, around the 400 to 600 watt level is were the switch to better antennas systems pays back the most.
Not only gain on transmit, but the improvment in the RX of the Station comes into play.
Often the guy with a better stack of antennas will beat the guy with a big Amp....even the guys that run big power on 11 meters have learned this.
that is why you see multi-antenna set-ups.
The guy running the Flat 8, the 6 El Quad, Stack 3`s
More gain per dollar than raw power......and a lot less running problems.
Base or Mobile, Alts, Amps, Batterys, Bigger AC/DC supply`s or supply lines,breaker`s, coax, interference and so on.
A good Station is more than Big Amp, it is a well rounded station that shines.


73
Jeff

 

[KingCobra_CDX882]

INDEED

I have worked all over the world nearly
on no more then 100-150 watts

 

[novakor]

Not running any amp here,but you can bet an amp is not to far off.
"Lifes too short for QRP"

 

[mackmobile43]

We know that hams may legally use up to 1500 watts on most amateur bands. SO. IS it OK to run 1500 watts all the time? Some hams do this.
SHOULD he---even when it is OK? If not, WHY?<<


Because they can!!!

people will do people things

 

[linearone]

an amateur should use the minimum amt. of power necessary to work the contact

 

[Moleculo]

As many have stated, you're supposed to use the minimum necessary, however the flip side to that is that you're not required to struggle with just barely enough power to have a conversation. Everyone says "work on your antenna system", but the reality of that is that most people in the U.S. live in cities and neighborhoods where you simply cannot put up whatever antenna you would like. Adding a little power to the equation helps things out with this situation. And if the other party realizes you're having to strain to copy them, they can do the same if they don't have the antenna system for it either. To me, it's a matter of practicality. There is a certain amount of fun and charm for many people trying to see how much they can do with as little possible. Those people would be classified as minimalists, IMO. That's fine if that is enjoyable to you, but it is not enjoyable to all. I would rather not have to struggle to hear you or for you to hear me to carry on a conversation. That means my idea of how much power is necessary might be different than someone elses.

 

[Geekster]

Bigger is better when it comes to amplifiers, right----at least in the CB world. So let's discuss this just for kicks.

I disagree. Bigger doesn't necessarily imply greater quality for the components or construction. However, I understand what you are saying.

We know that hams may legally use up to 1500 watts on most amateur bands. SO. IS it OK to run 1500 watts all the time? Some hams do this.
SHOULD he---even when it is OK? If not, WHY?

S/he shouldn't run that much power unless it is neccesary to continue the QSO under the band conditions.

SHOULD one run maximum power as a matter of course?

No, its just not very green. :glare:

 

[dudmuck]

an amateur should use the minimum amt. of power necessary to work the contact

Also...
§97.113(a)(5) No amateur station shall transmit: Communications, on a regular basis, which could reasonably be furnished alternatively through other radio services.

Just using ham radio on a regular basis is a violation.

As far as 97.313 the 1500 watt limit.
Consider if you run 3000 watts PEP. This is only 3dB more power, in other words: one half an S-unit more.
Such a difference could easily be lost in skip fading, or where your beam is pointing.
Its more likely that when the legal limit is exceeded, the amplifier is splattering out adjacent channel interference, and then you're violating other rules concerning bandwidth usage.
However if you're running a tube large enough to exceed the legal limit without distortion, I think most (if not all) hams listening to you would be hard pressed to tell that your over the limit.

Just dont forget §97.113(a)(5). I suppose we'll have to stick to CB.

 

[Marty]

CW

I use a stock CB radio from Wally World never been opened, Solarcon A-99, 20' on a hill that is 30' above the people I am talking too, they say my stock radio is walking on people with mobile 2 pills, its true your antenna is 90% of your station.

73

 

[EDUK8TR]

Also...
§97.113(a)(5) No amateur station shall transmit: Communications, on a regular basis, which could reasonably be furnished alternatively through other radio services.

Just using ham radio on a regular basis is a violation.


Just dont forget §97.113(a)(5). I suppose we'll have to stick to CB.

Taken out of context and application.:glare:

 

[dudmuck]

Taken out of context and application.:glare:

Interesting you should say so.
I believe both the rule saying you should only the power necessary, and the rule limiting communications on a regular basis that could be provided by other radio services exist for the same reason: to limit overcrowding on the ham bands.

Running unnecessarily high power overcrowds the bands by preventing re-use of the frequency in another area.
One application of §97.113(a)(5) could be the sending of email from non-hams over winlink on 20 meters... especially since there are other radio services to provide this. There is alot of other activity on the ham bands that doesn't follow the purpose of ham radio, which is to facilitate self-training, intercommunication, and advancement of the (technical) radio art. However, i believe such a rule would only be enforced if the bands were grossly overcrowded.

 

[W5LZ]

dudmuck,
The key words are "on a regular basis", taking the place of other communications options. Also, 'reasonably be furnished' comes in to play. There are instances where other alternatives are not all that reasonable. Both are aimed at keeping amateur radio 'amateur' and not of a 'commercial' nature. Really has nothing to do with 'crowding'.

Power limits. Mainly has more to do with safety and what high power means concerning possible interference. That 'interference' doesn't just mean getting into someone's TV, but also what happens when there's a lot of energy in the air which can affect a bunch of other things. Ever happen to see a couple of little neighbor bast... ah... brats climbing trees in your yard and swinging on an antenna going through those trees? If you think you wouldn't be tempted to give them a 'shot' of RF to teach'em better, you're mistaken. A 100 watts can leave burns. A 3-500 or two can do way more than that. Luckily (for me), the little ...brat turned loose before I could reach the key. Geeze, hadn't thought of that in years. I quit, I'm going to bed.
- 'Doc