Probably more than you ever wanted to know about an overworked QCX-17...
With appropriate external filter ( except, none for 17m )
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OHR WM-2 QRP Wattmeter Bird model 10-A-MFB-30 attenuator as a dummy load
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3.9 Band = as per band of operation
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QCX-17 power output estimated erp GADS! antenna ( GADS! = Gutter And Down Spout! )
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3501.7 kHz? 500 milliwatts 60 milliwatts
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5332 kHz? ? 1 watt ? ? ? ?250 milliwatts
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7001.7 kHz? 1 watt ? ? ? ?500 milliwatts
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10101.7 kHz 4 watts 3 watts
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14001.7 kHz 4 watts 4 watts
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18069.7 kHz 2.5 watts? 2.5 watts
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21001.7 kHz 1.5 watts 1.5 watts
Yes, there's that thing about class E amps.
But, have a look at my RBN spots for the current 'RBN week' - all spots of the QCX-17 with appropriate external output filter.
Have also made a few actual QSOs using the stock QCX-17 on 30 & 20m. None yet on 17 due to poor condx.
QCX-17 works well on 15m too but spots are hard to come by on 15 due, again to poor condx.
When operating on any band, I keep a couple of fingertips on the finals to get a 'sense' of how they're doing.
I've been too lazy so far to put a 'scope on the drains of Q1, Q2, Q3 but, I'm pretty sure I'd see them coming out of saturation :0)
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The QCX-80, with its built-in 80m lpf isn't nearly as frequency-agile as the -17 is for obvious reasons...unless we decide to rearrange things a bit.
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Oh yeah, my -17 is now a 7-band rig ! Only manages about 500 milliwatts out on 80 but, sometimes, that's enough.
80, 60, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15m...plus CHU 3330, 7850, 14670, and WWV / WWVH 5000, 10000, 15000...haven't yet heard WWV on 20000 kHz...matter of time and condx.
Oodles & boodles of broadcast stations too.
Any questions ?
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72 / 73,
Bill, N4QA
