Naturally we are very curious about the coming Spitfire Linear Amp, since we are always hopeful that the FCC might get generous toward us small operators.
Be sure to let us know!
Tony Will from 6v6.co.uk confirmed me yesterday the 1 W linear amplifier will be put on the market probably middle October.
I'll notify the Forum as soon as I'll know more
Why not build one?
Probably because not all of us have the knowledge to build one or feel confortable with soldering.
Especially in Europe every device "ready to use" available on the market is a relevant help to promote LPAM and "fight" for it if needed
Thank you for sharing this. I also found the guide to assembly.
The only concerns for European buyers are the shipping and custom fees that almost double the convenienient price of the product
After Mark review I bought the Spitfire on eBay and I'm testing.
I'm definetely a newbie in this area so I started testing "as is" with the default setting (1440 KHz, ATU set on "External", grounded pluging it into the AC socket 3rd hole).
Audio comes from a PC with Zararadio and Stereo Tool 7.30 (set on AM Stations Europe) and I listen to with a AIWA stereo tuner located in the same room.
I'm very impressed for audio quality: it sounds clean with good bass. Unfortunately seems the signal doesn't go outside the window.
I don't hear anything if I tune in from my car parked few meters below.
The transmitter is at the second floor. For sure I miss something. Any idea?
Hope not to bore you all, I'm learning...
Here's where I think your range problem is...First of all the transmitter you got should be for European frequencies.(you're in Italy, right)
The silver crystal should say 4.608MHZ on the side. And you go by the UK chart for settings.
The signal that radiates from the antenna is the same as light from a long florescent tube...signal goes out from the sides not the ends so there are "dead" spots depending how it's positioned. Kinda hard to get it vertical when the antenna is longer than the floor to the ceiling and you have to have it not in the way when you walk around.
AM, unlike FM frequencies, are blocked a lot more by steel and concrete.
But car radios are the best there is and the signal should be recieved in the car outside for at least 30 metres or more from inside your house and very strong from beside your house...unless you have metal siding of some kind.
Are you sure that 1440(default) is empty with no other station there?... using 15 volt adaptor?
You said you tried with ATU set to external, there's the problem (I think). External means it's configured for an outdoor antenna with a loading coil. You haven't tuned it for resonance with the 3 meter wire. Check the ATU trimmer settings and set the dip switches as instructions. Then you have to adjust the ATU trimmer and watch the LED on front. Antenna is tuned when light goes out. When input volume from source is right at 100% modulation the LED will be flickering with music faintly. Also make sure the ground wire is making contact in the earth ground at A/C plug.
Good luck
Mark
Thank you Mark!
I changed the ATU from "external" to internal and the frequency from 1440 (too crowded especially at night) to 1584, adjusted the trimmer as suggested and checked the ground and one of the main problem was there. I fixed with a longer ground wire connected with a cold water pipe outside the windows.
The antenna wire is now vertical but as is longer than the distance floor/ceiling so is now bent on the ceiling to the center of the room
I can listen to my music in my house and from my car all around the block.
The challenge is now build a an antenna with a base loading coil and the 1W linear amplifier.
Anyway the Spitfire does the job and the sound is clear.
Probably few people are interested in but I'm happy to share with all of you that my Spitfire has been working 24/7 since September 25h.
Great audio quality, good range considering it's located at the 2nd floor and is currently working with it's 3 metres wire antenna.
I'm still waiting for news around the dedicated linear amplifier announced by 6v6 Vintage Components.
Come on European LPAM Pioneers, let's challenge our governements
How much nerve I have saying "we," but I know I am interested in both your experience, Dario, with the Spitfire, but also your soon to come test of the 1-Watt Linear Amp and your stand for low power radio in Europe!
I do think many others here are also very interested.
Sent you a private message regarding something that may be of interest to you.
Thanks Carl.
Last update from UK around di 1 Watt linear amplifier: is not ready to be put on the market yet.
So by now the only chance is the Ramsey one http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=LPA1/p >
Sorry Guys, I never got to test my Spitfire as I said I would. Frankly I have been focusing on selling my house these past few months. I haven't been txing since the summer. When I get settled, I'll attempt a comparion between my TH and my Spitfire, but please don't hold your breath for me. 🙂
Dario, I'm delighted to hear Tony is working on an amplifier. This is something I am really interested in. I've managed to obtain details of a homemade amplifier from an LPAMer in the Nerherlands, but like someone here said, not all of us are comfortable with soldering. And besides, the cost of postage to Europe, and customs tarrifs on products bought in The States are sometimes more than the cost of the product. Dario, do please keep us up to date with news on the amp.
Mark, Dario, thank you for your review.
Hi all,I'm finally back.
As Tony Will is late with the 1W linear amplifier for the Spitfire, 2 monthes ago I bough the Ramsey LPA1 kit. To be honest I've been waiting a long time before start, I already told you I'm not so conforteble in soldering but now... it's working!
It tooks about 3 hours to get assembled and now it's properly connected to my Spitfire RF output and to the antenna.
The last one is my weakness. Currently it's just a 30 metres long wire screwed into an alluminium TV mast.
I just walked around to check the range and it looks to be increased; now I can listen to my station about two blocks (it was less than one without the amp) far from the transmitter. Audio quality is very good.
I remind you it's located at the 2nd floor grounded to a cold water pipe.
Next step: building a base loading coil antenna and try to extend the range.