Image: Fixed RF Amplifier (Click on image for larger view.)
I embarked on the Next Generation Amateur Radio Beacon (s) for the Southern Cape!! I am currently working on the 6m CW Beacon. While it is operation on the workbench I need more RF power output for this specific beacon. I had two options (1) Buy a Power Amplifier or (2) Construct a Power Amplifier. I decided to opt for the first option to buy a power amplifier. Well it arrived a few weeks ago and as per usual I had to open the parcel. The parcel was well packed against damage but the actual package for the power amplifier was only encased in a small anti-static envelope. I cut open the envelope and out fell the SMA connector on the workbench. I took the unit out and saw the the soldering was bad where the SMA connector sit. No problem I would just solder the SMA connector back on but before I did I noticed something else on one of the fixed inductors. It was cracked and some of the compound that surrounds the inductor was missing. Put two and two together. Mass production and modules are thrown into boxes without protection or before packaging into the static envelope the module is mishandled in some form. This resulted in the damage to this specific RF amplifier. I searched the Internet and low and behold this is not the only same RF amplifier damaged upon receipt of the unit.
Well the unit need to be fixed. No option to return as it would take to long or get lost. I ordered a few 33 uH inductors and fixed the worse for wear RF Amplifier. I purposely left the SMA connector detached as I might directly solder coax to the PCB tracks when I link all the modules together. The only thing that remains is to test the amplifier to see if the magic smoke is going to escape from the unit. Update in this regard to follow.
Images (Click on images for larger view.)
