You know what, I am sorry I posted here. I did not detect any axe to grind as he clearly stated that the transmitter was Class E, just that the instructions were hazy. As far as flames? You have to be joking right?
Thank you Rich Fry for your sane observation.
I still think that Ermi should produce some documentation (presumably from his experience in playing around with the AMT5000) on how to properly tune it.
wdcx, I'm glad you posted that link here.
It shows that such documentation is not all that difficult to produce. It just has to be tailored for the specific experience of tuning the AMT5000.
While I'm not convinced the the 'magic' approach doesn't work most of the time for the AMT5000 (that's something that needs to be explored independently), I believe it is essential to have more comprehensive documentation, for those who would like it, and particularly for those who require it (i.e., when you're having difficulty tuning).
Any one of the Albert Einsteins who think the AMT5000 Manual is in need of editing, produce your own "Advanced Guide to the AMT5000".
There are several if not many graceless mannerless posters on several websites who repititiously clammor about all that's wrong.
Prove you're so smart by doing a manual in your own image.
Ermi has been extremely negative about the AMT5000. Presumably that's because he has one, ...
That is not my conclusion from reading the posts of Ermi Roos on the various Part 15 boards.
From what I gather, Mr Roos has studied the online documents applying generically to Class E r-f amplifiers, may have modeled them in software, and/or even built and experimented with such amplifiers.
If such is true, that sets him apart from all of the posters I've read on those various Part 15 boards with the exceptions of PhilB and Neil (Radio8z).
However the comments posted by Mr Roos may not necessarily apply to the AMT5000.
Hopefully PhilB will post his point of view and his proof of same on this subject.
Not being familar with tuning Class E, I'll find out if I ever put my AMT5000 in service.
My question is, other than the efficiency of Class E how important is it to tune "properly" as opposed to watching the field strength meter and going for maximum signal?
If not "properly" tuned for Class E does this result in distortion, diminished output or what?
Is going for maximum field strength the wrong approach?
I simply "trust" that the tuning method given in the AMT5000 Manual is the proper procedure, and I am rewarded by the fact that my AMT5000 is heard thoughout the area despite my having a less-than-optimum antenna.
For comparison, my AMT3000 with loading coil and tuned per the modified instructions that apply to the AMT3000, does very well but no where near to what the AMT5000 does.
Both transmitters have crystaline fully modulated audio.
All the negative remarks from persons who do not have an AMT5000 are getting old and I think we should have a change of subject.
So, when you tuned your Class E, did you play a little, while observing the field strength?
In other words if you checked field strength did you produce maximum signal after the final adjustment of the capacitor or somewhere else along the way?
Is going for maximum field strength the wrong approach?
Great question.
But implicit in this as far as FCC §15.219 is concerned is that the unmodulated d-c input power at the output element of the final r-f amplifier device does not exceed 100 mW when that field strength is maximized.
Unlike many products, the manual is not available from the website at least as my pea brain can find.
The fact that SSTran does not provide public access to its manuals is another incidental that has been mentioned ad infinitum as if it means something underhanded.
FACT: The Rangemaster, Chez and Grain transmitters ALSO do not post their schematics for the public!
In fact, almost no one does.
So what's your reason for mentioning it?
One of the posters on the other forums mentioned he got an "unwanted copy" of the AMT5000 Manual from someone. Ask all those people for your "unwanted copy."
This thread has drifted way off course and is hereby closed.
Neil