I want to build / design an RF amplifier that can boost the signal from an AMT-MW207 kit.
Design goals:
- Boost the signal a couple of watts
- AM signal
- 525 - 1605 kHz baseband range
I’ve been searching for RF amplifier designs but many of them are too big (10’s of Watts), or are hard to implement. It’s been difficult trying to find something that can instruct me clearly. I’ll have to take into account things like impedances and the like.
I have an electronics background, so if you can only point me towards a book or other resource, even that would be helpful.
I’m going to be checking out ‘Experimental Methods in RF Design’, hopefully it can point me in the right direction.
Well, this sounds super illegal. Mediumwave is a pretty busy block of spectrum. There’s the 160 meter amateur band in my jurisdiction, which technically is medium wave, but still above commercial AM stations. And you need a licence, which I’m pretty sure from the way this post is you don’t have.
Using somebody else’s band, besides being a crime, is just kind of a dick move.
I’m not quite sure how much help I should give until we clear that all up. What’s your use case, exactly? A couple watts isn’t that much higher than the <1 that’s actually allowed sometimes.
Using somebody else’s band, besides being a crime, is just kind of a dick move.
This depends on the jurisdiction, and the amount of interference. I’m not from the US.
The amount of power I’ll be using won’t even interfere with suburban neighbours.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-range_device
What’s your use case, exactly?
Transmitting music to AM receiver radios in a house.
This came across as someone who might not know what they’re doing. If that’s not you, my apologies. For example, you didn’t list the input power or how many dB you’re looking for, which is pretty central to the operation of any linear amp.
What this device’s output, exactly? The first amp that I’m using for the transmit chain on my build would give around a Watt out, which is close. I can’t remember how low the frequency range goes, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the same vendor produces one for lower-frequency use as well as SW.
It looks like this is a near-field device, by the lack of a building-sized radio mast. What’s your plan to manage the resulting SWR?
This came across as someone who might not know what they’re doing.
Yup, that’s why I’m here. I thought that was the point of “IWTL”?
What’s your plan to manage the resulting SWR?
I have a NanoVNA so could build a small dipole. High efficiency isn’t really the point.
I’m not going for anything fancy, I just want to know the basics of how to design and build an RF amplifier.
What this device’s output, exactly?
It’s only in the mW region. The effective transmission is only within a metre (3 feet) of the device.
how many dB
Gain can be small, even if it’s 10 or 20 dB. I want to learn the principles of design and then I can work from there.