Ramsey Electronics Musical Instrument Amplifier PA1 User Guide

2 METER RF POWER  
AMPLIFIER KIT  
Ramsey Electronics Model No.  
PA1  
Give your handheld a big boost with this economical power  
amplifier kit. Thousands have built and enjoyed this kit; one  
magazine review even said, “probably the best bargain in Ham  
radio!”  
Works with any radio; mobile, fixed or handheld  
8 to 10 times the power gain: 10 watts out for every 1 watts in, 20 watts  
out for every 2 watts in, 30 watts out for every 3 watts in!  
Easy connection to a radio  
Operates on 12 - 14 volts DC, draws a maximum of 5 amps  
Just add a T-R relay, case, Pre-amp if desired and connectors  
Informative manual answers questions on theory, hookup and uses -  
enhances resale value, too!  
Maximum output of 35 - 40 watts, max drive of 8 watts  
Mounts in any small aluminum case, which then will act as a heatsink  
Yes, this is the amplifier that’s been reviewed in all the Ham magazines!  
Clear, concise assembly instructions carefully guide you to a finished  
kit that works FIRST time!  
 
Ramsey Publication No. PA1  
Price $5.00  
KIT ASSEMBLY  
AND INSTRUCTION MANUAL FOR  
2 METER RF POWER  
AMPLIFIER KIT  
TABLE OF CONTENTS  
Kit Building Tips ............................... 5  
Parts list ........................................... 5  
Assembly.......................................... 6  
Parts Layout Diagram ...................... 6  
Schematic Diagram.......................... 7  
Testing ............................................. 11  
Troubleshooting ............................... 11  
Transmitting-Receiving .................... 12  
Customizing ..................................... 13  
Installation........................................ 13  
Operating Your PA1......................... 13  
Warranty........................................... 15  
RAMSEY ELECTRONICS, INC.  
590 Fishers Station Drive  
Victor, New York 14564  
Phone (585) 924-4560  
Fax (585) 924-4555  
PA-1 3  
 
PA1 AMPLIFIER  
All of us at Ramsey say THANKS for your interest in building the world's  
most popular 2 Meter amplifier project. Successful construction and  
installation of your PA1 amplifier can give your handheld 2 Meter transceiver  
an RF power boost beyond the performance of many fixed and mobile units.  
BEFORE you begin building your PA1, we ask you to read the warranty  
information on page 14 and think about a few details in advance:  
The PA1 is a true "Ham Radio" kit project which presumes the expertise that  
goes along with your license. You need to know how to "tack solder", wind  
simple VHF coils per our directions, and how to finish your PA1 with suitable  
enclosure, connectors, T-R switching and I/O wiring.  
The Ramsey RFS1 RF-sensing T-R switch kit is available as an easy  
companion kit for the PA1.  
The Ramsey PR10 Low Noise Pre-amplifier Kit can be worked into your final  
T-R installation to boost those hard-to-copy signals.  
We ask you to understand that the VHF Power Transistor that is the heart  
and soul of this circuit cannot be guaranteed beyond careful tests by BOTH  
the manufacturer and our technicians. Because this expensive transistor can  
be damaged by either incorrect soldering OR incorrect physical mounting,  
there can be NO warranty on this part unless your own additional test  
BEFORE ANY soldering and mounting shows a clear defect.  
Use of a VHF power output wattmeter is essential to correct adjustment of  
the PA1.  
If you decide, before beginning any assembly of your PA1 kit, that this  
project is not quite what you're ready for, you may return the complete,  
unassembled PA1 kit to the Ramsey factory.  
OR, if you are ready to join the thousands of hams world-wide who enjoy the  
PA1 as the most economical possible HT improvement for the highly-popular  
2 Meter band, we will be happy to guide you through every construction step  
in the spirit of the "Learn-As-You-Build" philosophy for all Ramsey Kit  
manuals for the new millenium.  
PA-1 4  
 
KIT BUILDING TIPS  
Use a good soldering technique - let your soldering iron tip gently heat the  
traces to which you are soldering, heating both wires and pads simultaneously.  
Apply the solder on the iron and the pad when the pad is hot enough to melt the  
solder. The finished joint should look like a drop of water on paper, somewhat  
soaked in.  
Electrical part installation - when parts are installed, the part is placed flat to the  
board, and the leads are bent on the backside of the board to prevent the part  
from falling out before soldering. The part is then soldered securely to the  
board, and the remaining lead length is then clipped off.  
PA1 PARTS LIST:  
1 PA1 Printed circuit board  
1 BLW40 or SD1272 RF Power Transistor  
1 Length of pre-tinned #18 wire (for L1,L2)  
1 Length of #18 enameled wire (for L3)  
1 Length of #24 wire (for winding 6 hole RF choke ferrite bead)  
1 6 hole RF Choke ferrite bead (black cylinder) (to be hand-wound)  
2 100 pf mica compression trimmers (rectangle shaped) (C1,C3)  
2 60 pf variable trimmer capacitors (round shaped) (C2,C4)  
2 47 or 56 pf ceramic disc capacitors (C5,C6)  
1 .01uf ceramic disc capacitor (marked .01 or 103 or 10 nf) (C7)  
PA-1 5  
 
ASSEMBLY DIRECTIONS:  
1. Simply EXAMINE the PA1 circuit board. Notice which way is up or down  
in accord with our published drawing. Notice that ALL components are  
surface-mounted (tack-soldered) to one side of the PC board. There are  
NO component-mounting holes!  
2. Taking care that your soldering tip is clean, pre-tin all mounting pads on  
the board. You are using enough heat if the solder flows VERY easily and  
remains shiny. That is the only acceptable result. A smooth build-up of  
solder thickness is fine and will make parts installation even easier.  
3. The power transistor will be installed as a later step. Right now, simply  
position it in place and observe how far its flat leads extend toward the  
input and output pads. Scribe a line into the tinned pads at each end of  
these two leads as a guide to the amount of pad space required by the  
transistor. NOTICE THE ORIENTATION OF THE TRANSISTOR'S  
COLLECTOR LEAD! Set the transistor aside for now, safely.  
4. In installing the coils leading in and out of the transistor's pads, the idea  
is to stay on the other side of your marks, so that the transistor can be  
installed flat and neatly on the board.  
5a. Examine C1, one of the mica compression trimmers. Neatly re-form the  
two outer tabs at right angles so they form "feet" which permit the trimmer  
to sit level in its correct position. Make sure the inner pins do not touch the  
PC board.  
PA1 PARTS LAYOUT DIAGRAM  
PA-1 6  
 
PA-1 7  
 
5b. Tack-solder C1, one of the Mica compression trimmer capacitors,  
using enough heat for a solid, good connection.  
6. Install C3, the other compression trimmer, just like C1.  
7a. Bend the leads of C2, the round trimmer capacitor, at right angles so  
that it can also sit in a level and flat position. The two leads at one end go  
to the ground plane, and the single lead goes to the pad with C1.  
7b. Install C2.  
8. Install C4, just like C2. Now that you are accustomed to how easy good  
tack-soldering can be, and you can see some finished work on your PC  
board, this is a good time to begin making and installing the three coils and  
RF Choke.  
9a. Cut a 1" length of #18 tinned bare wire and form it as shown, making a  
gentle loop around a tool handle.  
9b. Install L1 using a pair of needle-nose  
pliers to hold it as you solder it in place. Let L1 from 1"inch of bare wire  
one end cool before soldering the other.  
10a. Use another length of #18 tinned bare  
wire to make a 1-turn 1/4"-diameter coil. Spread the turn itself to 1/4" and  
trim the leads to approximately 1/4". Bend the ends as needed so that the  
coil sits in position as shown on the board.  
10b. Install L2 the same way as you did with L1 in step 9b.  
L2 top  
L2 side view  
PA-1 8  
 
11a. Using the #18 enameled wire, wind a 5-turn coil for L3. The inside  
diameter is also 1/4", the turns should be close-wound, and the ends  
should be 1/4-inch long. Using a small knife or sandpaper, scrape the  
insulation from each end, tin the bare ends with solder, and gently bend the  
ends as needed so the coil sits in its position correctly and neatly.  
11b. Install L3.  
L3 side view  
L 3 top view  
12a. The RF choke consists of a ferrite bead with 6 holes. It is easily  
made by passing or "lacing" 5 turns of the #24 bare wire through its holes.  
This will fill 5 holes with a lead coming out at each end. (Note that trying to  
fill the 6th hole would cause both wire ends to come out of the same end of  
the ferrite bead.) Trim the ends to 1/4" and bend as needed for neat  
installation.  
RFC1  
12b. Install the RF choke.  
13. Install bypass capacitor C7, .01 uf (marked .01 or 103 or 10 nf) from  
the DC voltage pad to the ground plane.  
VERY IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ!  
The RF Power Transistor MUST be mounted to its heatsink (usually the metal  
case enclosure) B-E-F-O-R-E it is soldered to the circuit board. This is  
necessary for the sake of your investment as well as the health of the  
transistor. It is VERY easy to crack the transistor's case and break off the leads  
if you attempt to tighten the nut AFTER soldering. As has been explained,  
Ramsey Electronics' warranty on this transistor covers ONLY fresh, non-  
soldered units which prove to be electrically defective before any installation  
attempt.  
So...NOW is the time to decide how you are going to enclose your PA1. If that  
decision is still to come and you wish to experiment with the performance of the  
PA1 before designing a finished accessory such a "docking booster", then  
PA-1 9  
 
make a suitable HEATSINK for Q1 and install it before proceeding. A piece of  
heavy aluminum or copper the same size as the PA1 circuit board will work fine.  
Even when securing Q1 to such a heatsink, do not use too much force. Observe  
the correct orientation of Q1 on the actual circuit board when mounting it to the  
heatsink. The collector lead (output side) has a 45-degree cut that is plainly  
visible.  
14. Pre-tin both the upper and lower surfaces of all four leads of power  
transistor Q1.  
15. After reviewing the mounting information, mount Q1 to its heatsink or  
section of metal enclosure.  
16. After double-checking the orientation of the collector lead, solder all  
four Q1 connections.  
17a. The final circuit-wiring steps consist of the CORRECT installation of  
two small 47 or 56 pf disc capacitors. This step is more critical than many  
builders may realize, because excess lead-length of C5 and C6 will reduce  
power output and induce feedback! The bodies of C5 and C6 should fit  
snug against Q1 and you should see little or no capacitor wire lead at all!  
17b. Install C5 in accord with 17a.  
17c. Install C6, just like C5.  
FINAL PC BOARD WIRING BEFORE TESTING:  
18. Solder the 12-volt DC power line connections.  
19a. Use good-quality coax terminated to fittings for your own application.  
19b. Install coaxial input and output lines.  
Take a moment now to review your work. Touch up any solder joints that need  
to look smoother and shinier. This effort can actually improve performance as  
well as make you proud of your work and enhance the resale value of your  
amplifier. There should be NO evidence of excessive wire length or rough-  
looking solder joints.  
PA-1 10  
 
INITIAL TESTING  
Required for testing:  
1 to 5 watt 2 Meter transmitter or transceiver.  
12 volt DC power source, 5 amp minimum.  
RF wattmeter suitable for VHF use.  
Correct cables and connectors.  
50-ohm 30-50 watt dummy load (use antenna for testing only in accordance  
with appropriate frequency selection, transmission ID procedures).  
DC voltage may be applied to the PA1 at all times. As a Class C amplifier, it  
draws current only with RF drive. For the first test, use just 2 or 3 watts of RF  
drive. NEVER exceed 8 watts!  
Adjustment is accomplished by turning all 4 trimmers for maximum RF power  
output. However, to keep this procedure from becoming like trying to crack a  
combination lock, do it in this order:  
1. Turn both compression trimmers (C1,C3) fully clockwise.  
2. While turning C2 (RF input side), watch for a sudden peaking of RF  
output. C2 has the most direct and critical control over the driving of Q1.  
3. After some power output is noted from peaking C2, then adjust both C3  
and C4 for maximum output. Then readjust C1 and C2 as needed.  
That's all there is to it! If you cannot get the proper amount of power output or  
gain, there is something wrong with the amplifier or test set-up that needs to be  
corrected before further tests are conducted.  
TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS:  
The amplifier should produce at least 8 to 10 times power gain, for example: 2  
watts in for 20 watts out. If the amplifier does not give you this gain, make sure:  
C5 and C6 are tight, snug against Q1 with virtually no lead length.  
Good RF wiring technique was used in hooking up the coax input and output  
leads - short lead length on the coax shields and center conductor wires.  
Proper adjustment of all trimmers.  
At least 12 volts actually measured at the PC board power connection point.  
Maybe an SWR problem? Change input and output coax lengths.  
PA-1 11  
 
TRANSMIT-RECEIVE ["T-R"] SWITCHING CONSIDERATIONS:  
T-R switching of a single antenna with a 2 Meter transceiver and the PA1 RF  
amplifier may be accomplished in any of these ways:  
1. Internal connections to your transceiver, making use of its built-in T-R  
switching circuit or relay.  
2. External T-R relay controlled by transceiver microphone switch or relay  
line.  
3. RF-activated T-R switch such as the Ramsey RFS-1 kit.  
4. PIN-diode T-R switching.  
You have to make your own decision about whether to tie into any of the  
internal circuitry of your transceiver. It depends on how comfortable you are in  
doing so, how dependent you are on factory or professional service, and the  
policy of the service center on modified equipment.  
We developed the RFS-1, T-R relay kit exactly for those situations where PA1  
operation is needed but there is reluctance to make additional connections in  
and out of a costly hand-held transceiver. The RFS-1 kit is very economically  
priced and includes a heavy-duty 12-volt relay. Sorry, but we cannot make the  
PC board or individual parts available separately from the entire RFS-1 kit.  
The use of PIN diodes for T-R switching is discussed amply in recent editions of  
the ARRL Handbook and in ham radio magazine articles. A practical circuit  
requires two suitable PIN-diodes, RF chokes, bias supply and either a quarter-  
wave line or tuned circuit for receiver isolation.  
PA-1 12  
 
CUSTOMIZING YOUR PA1 INSTALLATION:  
Since it's up to you to supply the enclosure, connectors and any desired  
operating conveniences, it's likely that each one of those thousands of PA1s in  
use today has its own personality. For some good ideas, take a look at "Turn  
Your HT into a 40W 2M Mobile Rig" by N8KDD in 73 Magazine, December  
1989. The author's ideas are great, and we would only point out that his  
mention of the PA1 assembly instructions pertain to the simple sheets supplied  
prior to the publication of this manual. Also, we do find the relays supplied with  
the RFS-1 kit to be quite suitable for the application.  
The economy of the PA1, or even the factory-wired PA10, makes it possible for  
you to set up permanent 40-watt rigs in various vehicles, at home, at the office,  
all with their own permanent antennas, all of them ready to make your 2 Meter  
HT or shirt-pocket wonder ever more versatile!  
The hams at Ramsey Electronics thank you and hope you'll have as much fun  
using your amplifier as you had building it!  
INSTALLATION NOTES:  
1. The best location for the relay is as close to the PA1 amplifier PC board  
as possible with a short solid connection from the relay contact to  
the amplifier input. If more than 1 inch, use coax.  
2. All coax shields must be grounded with the shortest possible lead length  
to your metal chassis ground point!  
3. One short, solid ground path to power amp PC board (or metal chassis  
or enclosure) is required.  
4. Expect the relay to pull about 100 ma.  
5. Miniature coax type RG-174 is ideal for all connections.  
OPERATING NOTES:  
1. If the relay chatters, it is a sign of high SWR, which you will wish to  
resolve anyway by antenna system or amplifier output adjustments.  
2. If the relay action is "sloppy", there may be insufficient RF to drive the  
RFS-1 circuit. This can occur when using a "low power" HT setting  
(È watt ) to conserve the HT battery, while still transmitting a good  
5 watts from the PA1. The RFS-1 may be made more sensitive by  
reducing the value of R2 to 1 or 2K ohms.  
3. As designed, the RFS-1 will handle all input power levels safe for the  
PA1 RF amplifier itself, up to 8 watts drive.  
PA-1 13  
 
A NOTE FOR EXPERIENCED BUILDERS ON LINEAR OPERATION FOR  
SSB, AND OTHER EMISSION TYPES:  
Please undertake this conversion ONLY if you understand the theory and  
practice involved. Otherwise, please get help from another ham experienced in  
amplifier design. This conversion changes the power transistor form Class C to  
"biased on" Class B operation. The transistor is not under warranty as we've  
already explained, and improper configuration can easily damage it.  
Linear operation configuration consists of applying 12 volts DC through a  
simple 4-part adjustable circuit, through the original RF choke to the base of RF  
power transistor Q1, carefully checking Q1's collector current right from the  
start.  
CONVERSION STEPS:  
1. Lift the ground side of the RF choke.  
2. Solder a 1 amp diode's cathode lead (banded end) directly to the  
emitter-ground connection of the RF power transistor. Keep this cathode  
very short so that the diode can temperature-track the transistor.  
3. Connect the following to the lifted end of the RF choke, keeping all wires  
as short and neat as possible:  
- anode lead of diode  
- one end of a 270-ohm resistor  
- one end and center of a 500-ohm trimmer pot  
4. Solder the other end of the 270 ohm resistor to the PA1 groundplane foil.  
5. Connect the remaining end of the 500 ohm pot through a 51 ohm resistor  
to a neatly routed wire to the +12 volts DC input to the PA1.  
6. Set up a 0-100 milli-ammeter or VOM to monitor Q1's collector current.  
7. Keeping your tests short, adjust the 500 ohm pot for about 50 mA of  
collector current. Do not exceed 100 mA!  
PA-1 14  
 
PA1 WARRANTY NOTICE:  
The PA1 kit is the only item in the entire Ramsey product line that is not  
covered under any warranty. Because of the variety of ways in which this kit can  
be constructed and mounted mechanically, we cannot offer any kit repair  
service. So, if this kit appears too complex for your abilities, please return it for a  
complete refund. The PA1 kit is designed for the advanced builder who  
appreciates the convenience of having all the hard-to-get parts available from  
one reliable source. Thousands upon thousands have successfully tackled this  
project and many have even written magazine articles detailing their efforts,  
thus earning enough to pay for their kit! The PA1 kit does not require  
superhuman skills to build, just proper care and techniques in assembly that RF  
circuitry demands.  
PA-1 15  
 
PA1 2 METER RF POWER AMPLIFIER  
Quick Reference Page Guide  
Kit Building Tips................................ 5  
Parts list............................................ 5  
Assembly.......................................... 6  
Parts Layout Diagram....................... 6  
Schematic Diagram .......................... 7  
Testing.............................................. 11  
Troubleshooting................................ 11  
Transmitting-Receiving..................... 12  
Customizing...................................... 13  
Installation......................................... 13  
Operating Your PA1.......................... 13  
Warranty........................................... 15  
REQUIRED TOOLS  
Soldering Iron Ramsey WLC100  
Thin Rosin Core Solder Ramsey RTS12  
Needle Nose Pliers Ramsey MPP4 or RTS05  
Small Diagonal Cutters Ramsey RTS04  
<OR> Technician’s Tool Kit TK405  
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTED ITEMS  
Holder for PC Board/Parts Ramsey HH3  
Desoldering Braid Ramsey RTS08  
Digital Multimeter Ramsey M133  
Price: $5.00  
Ramsey Publication No. PA1  
Assembly and Instruction manual for:  
RAMSEY MODEL NO. PA1  
2 METER RF POWER AMPLIFIER KIT  
RAMSEY ELECTRONICS, INC.  
590 Fishers Station Drive  
Victor, New York 14564  
Phone (585) 924-4560  
Fax (585) 924-4555  
 

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