No output

I built the Kits and Parts RF Amplifier. Unfortunately it didn’t work.

When power is applied the meter in my bench power supply reads 0.01A. As soon as the Propeller beacon starts the current draw increases to 0.03A (at 8V). But the needle on my QRP power meter, which shows more than 25mW from the barefoot Propeller, doesn’t budge.

I don’t understand it. It’s a simple enough circuit, there isn’t anything to go wrong. Unfortunately I find these kit construction failures too demoralizing. I struggle with my vision and shaky hands just to build the board. Desoldering and faultfinding are beyond me at the moment. If I do discover the cause of the problem it’s something really obvious that anyone with a normally functioning brain would spot. I think it is time for me to accept my limitations and stop attempting to do what I used to be able to do before my brain surgery. From now on if I can’t buy what I want ready to go out of the box I’ll just have to do without.

Julian Moss, G4ILO, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cumbria, England. Contact him at [email protected].

2 Responses to “No output”

  • TJ W0EA:

    Make sure you check the windings on the coil – if they are backwards or the wrong number, it probably won’t work. GOOD LUCK!

  • W0FMS:

    I concur. If the transformer is installed incorrectly it won’t act as a transformer. If it’s too far off it will have a impedance mismatch and not put power into the load. Be patient, it looks simple enough– you’ll get it to go.

    God Luck… Fred W0FMS

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