WHEN IS DRIVE TOO MUCH

[Stellasstillarat]

I noticed my Madison's ssb output to peak at a bit under 20 watts on ssb on certain words. For the most part it stays under 15 watts but ocastionaly get close to 20. I switch amps ocastionaly. I always get excellent audio reports and if my radios output is over driving the amps it doesn't equait to bad over driven audio. Im assuming that doesn't mean im not putting my amps at risk. Is an occasional close to 20 watt drive to much for an 11 meter amp on ssb? Thanks

 

[wavrider]

I noticed my Madison's ssb output to peak at a bit under 20 watts on ssb on certain words. For the most part it stays under 15 watts but ocastionaly get close to 20. I switch amps ocastionaly. I always get excellent audio reports and if my radios output is over driving the amps it doesn't equait to bad over driven audio. Im assuming that doesn't mean im not putting my amps at risk. Is an occasional close to 20 watt drive to much for an 11 meter amp on ssb? Thanks

you answered your own question, you said you get excellent audio reports.

NOW whatever amp you are using you need to look at manufactures specifications on the transistor if it is solid state to make sure you are not over driving it( biggest majority of operators over drive their ss amps)
if it is tube amp then just adjust your mic gain for best audio

 

[Tallman]

I noticed my Madison's ssb output to peak at a bit under 20 watts on ssb on certain words. For the most part it stays under 15 watts but ocastionaly get close to 20. I switch amps ocastionaly. I always get excellent audio reports and if my radios output is over driving the amps it doesn't equait to bad over driven audio. Im assuming that doesn't mean im not putting my amps at risk. Is an occasional close to 20 watt drive to much for an 11 meter amp on ssb? Thanks

If you are running one of the el cheapo amps you are very close to letting the magic smoke out of the box. Some can be over driven with as little as 5 watts dead key on AM. Check your papers that came with the amp, or go to "CBTRICKS" and look up your amp there. If you had mentioned the brand names I would have looked all of that up for you.

 

[Stellasstillarat]

I never drive my amps over 2 1/2 on am. It's the ssb output of my madison im worried about. My Madison's ssb is more than 12 and with a closer look will ocastionaly peak at 18. I run a Palomar 300a, Palomar base 4 x 1446's and a maco 300. As I mentioned in my first post my audio reports are excellent and I suspect if I never mentioned I was running an amp no one would ever know. No crunch gargeling razor blade audio herebut. I also suspect that just because my audios clean doesn't mean I'm not pushing my amp to hard. I'd rather the amps last long than get another 150 out of them. So is 18 watts on ssb over driving? Thanks again.

If you are running one of the el cheapo amps you are very close to letting the magic smoke out of the box. Some can be over driven with as little as 5 watts dead key on AM. Check your papers that came with the amp, or go to "CBTRICKS" and look up your amp there. If you had mentioned the brand names I would have looked all of that up for you.

If you are running one of the el cheapo amps you are very close to letting the magic smoke out of the box. Some can be over driven with as little as 5 watts dead key on AM. Check your papers that came with the amp, or go to "CBTRICKS" and look up your amp there. If you had ment

 

[wavrider]

peak at 18 watts pep is ok for all amps you mentioned, you will very rarely hit peak unless your mic gain is up to much 6 to 12 watts is more like the norm on ssb, at least on the madison i have here, unaltered audio circuits.

Good questions you have asked, and good job in understanding it is not that watt meter that makes the contact, it is the clear clean audio and operating technique.

Of course when the kilo watt stations get on the frequency all bets are off for a barefoot radio to make any contact.

 

[Tallman]

I never drive my amps over 2 1/2 on am. It's the ssb output of my madison im worried about. My Madison's ssb is more than 12 and with a closer look will ocastionaly peak at 18. I run a Palomar 300a, Palomar base 4 x 1446's and a maco 300. As I mentioned in my first post my audio reports are excellent and I suspect if I never mentioned I was running an amp no one would ever know. No crunch gargeling razor blade audio herebut. I also suspect that just because my audios clean doesn't mean I'm not pushing my amp to hard. I'd rather the amps last long than get another 150 out of them. So is 18 watts on ssb over driving? Thanks again.

Should be fine with your drive levels

 

[psycho]

If it ain't broke don't fix it.