Technical Information
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Construction Overview
Simple 400 Watt RF Amp for 80 meters
VFO for 160 & 80 meters
Using a lower power transmitter as an RF source (A to D converter)
Pulse Width Modulator and power supply
24 MOSFET RF Amplifier - Step by Step
Analog Modulator (Class H) and power supply
Overall Schematic of a complete modulator/power supply
Class E Kits and Parts
Technical Support
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Other Technical Information, Articles and
Schematics
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Copyright Notice: Commercial use of the material
contained in this site, all schematic diagrams, circuits, designs and
related materials is prohibited without express, written consent of the
author. Amateurs may use this material at will for their own use, and
are encouraged to do so :-)
Note: Important Safety Notice! Please read it :-)
Class E AM Transmitter Descriptions, Circuits, Etc. [Updated
28-Jan-2009]
Class E Parts Available: PC Board Kits, MOSFETs, etc. Click Here for more info!
Class E transmitters are high efficiency, reliable, solid-state
transmitters. They are simpler to build than similar transmitters using
vacuum tubes, and are significantly less expensive to both build and to
operate. Class E is a switching mode of operation, and exhibits
extremely linear modulation characteristics, making these amplifiers
well suited for high quality, amplitude modulation. They are also very
well suited for amplification of frequency modulation or other modes
where linear amplification is not a requirement.
Class E transmitters are considered to be in the family of " Green "
(environmentally friendly) technologies, since the standby power consumption
is extremely low, and the operational efficiency of the system is very high
when transmitting.
One of the major goals of the
class E project is to facilitate the construction, by Amateurs
with only a modest background in construction, of a high power, good
sounding AM transmitter using modern, readily available components and
at a reasonable cost.
The main purpose of this site is to present a working, practical tutorial on
class E transmitters (a complete explanation of class E is included),
and to provide sufficient information to allow someone with reasonable
radio experience, technical skills and knowledge to construct a working
class E transmitter or design a transmitter using similar RF and
modulation methods. The designs presented here have been reproduced
many times and are proven and reliable.
To the left:, 350 Watt class E RF amplifier built by Bob, K1KBW. This RF amplifier,
combined with a class H modulator/power supply forms a complete 350 watt (output)
transmitter.
Complete schematics [unless otherwise noted] of real, working
transmitters (along with pictures and technical explanations) that I
have personally built and are using on the air daily are included.
They
are accurate representations of what is (or was) in use on the air at
that time. The photos show various components and construction methods
To the right: Complete, 3 band, 1kW class E transmitter. This
transmitter
uses a 4 MOSFET Pulse Width Modulator, and can be operated up to 1kW power
input. Although the 80 meter RF amplifier is
also capable of 160 meter operation, there are individual 1kW RF amplifiers for
160, 80 and 40 meters. Each RF amplifier consists of four 4 MOSFET modules.
One set of meters is used for all RF amplifiers, and the output of the
modulator is switched between the different RF amplifiers when changing bands.
Because class E RF amplifiers are relatively inexpensive to construct, switching
between RF amplifiers to change bands, rather than constructing a single,
bandswitched RF amplifier is very practical, and offers several operational and
technical advantages. The main disadvantage to such an arrangement
is the extra space required, although one could consider this an advantage,
as the larger transmitter tends to look more "impressive".
Employing so-called "boatanchor" - "vintage" or
"classic" -
construction practices (large meters, black wrinkle finishes, etc.; big
relays that make a good, loud "clunk" when operated) gives
the transmitter a particular look and feel.
Please let me know if there are errors or if there is missing
information :-) Suggestions are always welcome.
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