My son and I just installed our Part 15 station using an AMT3000 and homemade base loaded antenna. I was able to tune the coil and definitely found a peak, but the maximum voltage we got was only about 6.5 volts. I thought maybe one of the final transistors was bad being that we had almost exactly half of the stated 13 volts expected at peak. I replaced both 2n2222's but still we get a maximum of about 6.5 to 7 volts read at the test points. Should I be getting closer to 13 volts? Our range is only about 1/2 mile I expected a little better.
I had the same results with my AMT3000, I emailed Phil At SSTRAN, he told me to to just tune for the peak voltage altho lower than specs. I did and got max. range of 1 mile strong signal, much farther with some static up 1.5 miles and 2 miles in some directions. Xmitter and base loaded antenna mounted 28 ft. above ground w/ ground radial system and Behringer Ultramizer loudness maximizer. From my experience peak voltage doesen't have to be 13 volts.
Thanks for the reply Paul. It sounds like we have a similar setup. I use a Behringer Xenyx mixer that sounds real nice and my antenna is at 30 feet. I have 5 ground rods tied together but I need to add some radials. Maybe that will increase our range. Have fun.
Dave
Yes, very similar setup. Initially I put my mast 4ft into ground and cemented it in, Then I drove in 3 8ft ground rods triangular around the mast. conecting all 3 with #8 bare copper grounding wire to the bottom of mast. Then I laid 30 #12 copper wire, 360 degrees around mast about 2" under ground all welded to bottom of mast. Hard work but worth it. Great coverage even with the low peak voltage thing happening. Having a great time. www.glory1650am.com