HFU HF Underground
Technical Topics => The RF Workbench => Topic started by: Matt285 on October 27, 2019, 1402 UTC
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What is the 'typical' wattage output for Pirate's on HF? Thanks
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10-100W I guess.
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Thanks Stretchy. I think your estimate would likely be the most accurate. I figured between 50/100 watts particularly if a majority are using modified HF Ham transceivers (This is just a guess because it seems like it would be an easy way to get started) I don't know this the be the gospel truth.
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My apologies Chris. This or the equipment forum is more suited for the topic based on the fact that I wasn't reporting about Pirate radio reception. Noted!
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Most (all) ham Tx's will only give a 25W carrier and rather thin (300Hz+ 2k5) audio. Mind you they be fine for 100W ssb with same thin audio. Not sure what the numbers are re A.M. Vs SSB?
I've found 20W fine for NVIS and 500 miles. High power only worthwhile at night into a vertical.
Str.
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Thanks Stretchy. I think your estimate would likely be the most accurate. I figured between 50/100 watts particularly if a majority are using modified HF Ham transceivers (This is just a guess because it seems like it would be an easy way to get started) I don't know this the be the gospel truth.
This is what I have seen in practice.
+-RH
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The lower the power the better your antennae better be.
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How many watts do you need?
https://www.radiohobbyist.org/blog/?p=46
A comparison of three low power AM shortwave pirate transmitters
http://www.radiohobbyist.org/blog/?p=271
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Anyone remember the 5W - 10W AM Grenade transmitters? When propagation was great, those did reach out. Most ricebox modern 100W transceivers MAX OUT the AM TX carrier at 25W, so only about 4dB more than a 10W Grenade.
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Remember them? I've got one eyeballing me from a book shelf in the shack, saying "Pigmeat...Pigmeat... let's go play in the woods." Every time I broadcast I got reports from a nut in Italy named Giovanni who claimed he heard me based on reports from the ACE and the FRN. I wonder what happened to him?
They were all built in runs by Boomer when he had the salvaged parts to do it. They had built in compressor/limiter circuits, you literally couldn't screw it up. There were less than thirty of them made, mostly for shortwave. I think the last bonafide Boomer built "Grenade" was in '97 before he got interested in computers.
Mines output was around 14 watts. Boomer said they ran at 80% efficiency, which would've have put it at spitting distance of the claimed 10 watts. I did the pee-pee dance around my truck when the Grenade fired up and didn't blow up.
I had a lot of fun with that little brick sized transmitter. All you needed was a gel-cel battery, an audio source, a patch cord to get the audio in the thing and an antenna and you had a radio station in a backpack. Double check that antenna, there's nothing worse than driving 50 plus miles and finding out you didn't bring it. Extra fuses are a plus,too.
If you'll excuse me I've got a transmitter to talk to.
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"Double check that antenna, there's nothing worse than driving 50 plus miles and finding out you didn't bring it. Extra fuses are a plus,too."
These fups will henceforth and forever be known as pigmeats.
Common usage;
Josh: Damit Wally, I brought my R-390A to race against yours on your MC 900ft Jesus Beverage (inspired by Smolinksi Heavy Industries 950ft on ground antennae) but I pigmeated the tubes! 50 plus miles for nothing!
Wally: You did what to who now? Where are they?
Josh: In a box at home.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA-AvBjBm5k
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"Double check that antenna, there's nothing worse than driving 50 plus miles and finding out you didn't bring it. Extra fuses are a plus,too."
These fups will henceforth and forever be known as pigmeats
Watch it, Munson, I know how you pay your rent.