| Author |
Message |
    
Joseph
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 10:46 am: | 
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Hi everyone. I was wondering if it is possible to modify a handheld radio. I dont have a specific model in mind, i dont have one yet. I just wondered if it could be done. What i was wanting is to have a 11 meter handheld modified for more power. is this posible? Another idea i had was to get a handheld ham radio and have it modified for more power and also to be able to recieve and transmit on 11 meter cb. Is that possible? If any of this is possible, lets say the 11 meter radio is running 4 watts output, how much more could you get out of it by modifying. I am very greatful for any info you can give me. thanks
Joseph |
Tech181
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 30, 2002 - 11:50 pm: |
|
Joseph,
There are a few handheld 10 meter radios that can be modded to go 11 meters, TX and RX. As far as more power? Well probably just a marginal improvement may be possible.
Steve
Tech181
Tech181@copperelectronics.com |
Jim
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 06, 2002 - 9:43 pm: |
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Joseph, I doubt it would be worth the effort. A handheld will not have much range on its' own (very) short antenna. On an external antenna, you will have a range similar to a stock base station. You might be able to get a marginal increase in power, but remember - no amplifier (including the tiny final in the handheld) is 100% efficient. Expect efficiency to be in the 60% range for SSB, 70 or 75% on a class C high level modulated AM rig. The handheld is most likely the latter, but this means you will still be dissipating a couple of watts in heat that has to go somewhere - and a handheld is not the world's best heatsink. Also, if you are not using an external power supply, increasing power means an extra draw on batteries. For a 5 watt carrier out, you'll need 7 watts input, plus another 2.5 watts to modulated it - which means a number of more watts in the modulator. This all adds up to maybe an amp of current (under modulation) which is a heck of a draw for a small battery pack. Trying for more power will require more draw from the battery. I doubt it is worth the effort. You'll be rewarded with a signal that likly won't move someone else's S meter noticeably more, plus that battery pack will die out sooner.
73 from Rochester, NY
Jim |
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