(Part 1) How to Design, Build, and Test an RF Linear Amplifier (Overview)

This multi part video focuses on the critical design aspects of an RF Push-Pull amplifier. The example shown uses an IRF510 MOSFET transistor to explain impedance matching, biasing, amplifier classification, circuit stability, feedback, tuning, power output, harmonic distortion, and other important design characteristics. It also introduces LTSpice as a simulation tool. From this video, the viewer will gain an in-depth understanding of how to design, build, and test an RF power amplifier. Please visit my web site for the RF amplifiers and other products I offer. rflinear-amplifiers.com

[@jimjames1987]

I've been struggling to understand the theory behind this for a long time, this has cleared up many things. Looking forward to watching the rest now, thank you!

[@dongmogerges3684]

Wow I really like your video and is very interested

[@williambrooks6629]

Thanks for putting so much work into this video series. I'm halfway through no1 and really appreciate the circuit description. Looking forward to the remainder

[@Masirah1]

Very good video. I like when you take your time discussing the process. I built irf510 amplifier, but it was rough journey.

[@saberx77]

Really looking forward to this series! Thank you for spending the time creating!

[@tahlularose9267]

Looks like the non-engineer HAM class I've been looking for, thanks.

[@khimbittle7705]

Look forward to this series !

[@AF6LJSue]

Good stuff so far, I am looking forward to the next one. FYI..... When I was still in college I designed my first solid state amp... Old school bipolar transistors. FETs have made this so much easier. Can't wait for the next episode.

[@rfmanchannel6915]

Yes, a agree! MOSFETs are much easier to bias and match....

[@craxd1]

When designing these, I've always said there's a small bit of voodoo involved over stray inductance and capacitance over the layout. After doing the impedance calculations, the circuit should still be tuned, generally by a padder cap. You can get it close after the calculations, but layout and parts placement helps throw a wrench in the gears, so to speak.

[@mikekossor1980]

Excellent series on Push-Pull HF amplifier design process, well done RF Man. I can really appreciate your choice of the IRF510 as an early pioneer of its use as an RF amplifier. Mike Kossor, WA2EBY

[@carminecampo2045]

Thanks for your feedback! RF Man

[@johnjames378]

Fantastic, can't wait for part2 and more.

[@ricardomatias5160]

Excellent video. Very clear and detailed explanation. Thank you so much for preparing the video and sharing your RF design knowledge.

[@rfmanchannel6915]

I'm happy I can help!@ RF Man

[@DrBroncanuus]

brilliant vid I learnt a lot of new info...thank you

[@mancio92M]

beautiful channel for those who love RF

[@rfmanchannel6915]

Thanks for your positive comments! RF Man

[@peterv3122]

Thank you!

[@KE8UYV]

I just found this video... Further more, your channel. Instant subscriber! Can't wait to learn from you! So, thank you in advance for sharing the knowledge and experience I am about to learn from you!

[@carminecampo2045]

Thanks for you comments! RF Man

[@LousyPainter]

Fantastic! Thank you very much.

[@pilobond]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I am a ham who has been homebrewing. I have made a few low power amps with single IRF510s as the final. In one amp I am getting about 20W maximum from on IRF510 with a 20V power supply. One thing that I still don't quite understand is the impedance matching between the stages. I totally get that for the final to the antenna, you want the impedance matching to maximize power transfer. However, between the transistor stages, especially with the FETs, it seems that what matters is to impress the maximum voltage (like you mentioned it's a voltage device) from the earlier stage to the latter stage, and not the maximum power. In fact, if we were to match the previous stage to the next stage, the voltage from the previous stage would halve. I hope I am making sense. I will watch your other videos in this series and maybe i will have my answers!

[@rfmanchannel6915]

Yes, I understand your point. LTSpice is a good tool to learn and will help you measure impedance from stage to stage. RF Man

[@hb9hal]

Thank you for this course 👍. Best 73's Chrisoph, HB9HAL

[@mikevhx5682]

Great course

[@antronx7]

At 23:18 given is test circuit impedance looking through the gate side towards the input side terminated with 50 ohm resistor. The inductive reactance is that of the matching circuit, not the FET which is capacitive. Great series nonetheless. Gives excellent tutorial to amp builder beginner.

[@rfmanchannel6915]

All impedances given in a data sheet are for the real part and imaginary part of the device measured from gate to gate and drain to drain (for a push - pull circuit) and do not include any test circuit impedances such as the input or output matching networks. With some devices, the imaginary part can change from inductive to capacitive as the frequency changes. Regards

[@bob_mosavo]

Thanks 👍

[@MegaPrime2010]

Loving your videos. The overview of the individual sections is quite easy to understand. Are you able to tell me where to look for LTSpice models of the LDMOS fets? I'd really like to model the circuit for better understanding. I hope you can help.

[@Davidsmith218]

I would like to see this done with the irfp260n

[@bobi_lopataru]

What are the changes needed for the 40m band?

[@delestebroacast8496]

I have a question about being able to use the nanovna to adapt the output impedance of a BLF188 or any other power transistor. I could make a video. The one at the input seemed great. Greetings, I hope the video will be very helpful.

[@SpinStar1956]

Thank You & Count Me In !!! 73...

[@emailuser3869]

Thanks so much for putting this video together and sharing your wisdom. 73's de W6MGV

[@rfmanchannel6915]

My Pleasure!

[@walteranderson7889]

Looking at the PCB board it appears that it consists of two (2) separate independent boards; dedicated input side and dedicated output circuit side. Is that correct and if true please comment on purpose.

[@NeedleBender785]

Since both IRF510s present a 50ohm impedance would that mean the transformer would see a 100ohm impedance or since they are 180 Degrees out of phase they present themselves as one at a time at 50 ohms total?

[@tcarney57]

Excellent! One thing that's always baffled me is how the input impedance of a MOSFET can be low (or appear to be low) for RF when its DC impedance is somewhere around 10MΩ. Is this because of the fairly high capacitance of the gate (about 150pF)? Related to that, of course, is the question of why we need preceding stages to boost _power_ to the drive the MOSFET when it responds to voltage rather than power (volts X amps).

[@exus4mie]

Thanks for your effort, superb learning material. Please keep up! 73, PA8MM

[@carminecampo2045]

Thanks for your positive comments! RF Man

[@kk4das122]

Great video series - thanks so much. Just what I have been looking for. Are the schematic and LtSpice files available for download? Dean, KK4DAS

[@Voiceguitar]

Hi RF Man. Thanks for these videos! I am seeking an RF amplifier that can input 250mw and boost to 3 watts+. Frequency range is 470-480mhz. Do you have any recommendations? Do you take on custom work? Thanks!

[@dimethyd3714]

trying to find information on building a power amp for sub 1Mhz like within 10khz-1Mhz.. doesnt have to be exactly within this range. if anyone can point me in the right direction, would be grateful thanks.

[@christianejikeomeje3145]

one of the best tutorial on rf amplifier, please can you tell me the formular you used to calculate the value of 10 30uh rf chocke

[@rfmanchannel6915]

Thanks for your feedback! To calculate the inductive reactance of the choke you need to measure the inductance and then apply the following formula: Xl = 2 x pi x F x L (Lis in Henry's). Regards

[@zahedalsawadi7084]

Excellent work. What is the value of R5 used to reduce the quality factor and increase the bandwidth at the input ?

[@rfmanchannel6915]

I used 60 ohms. Lower values will require a higher input drive level. Its a design tradeoff between drive level and impedance matching.

[@wookie54444]

great series thank you please can you let me know where i can get a copy of the information sheets you used in the videos as i would like to learn more by experimentation thank you.

[@listings958]

where you able to get the information sheets for this series? I'd like them as well

[@1883GotDown]

Oh my goodness imma eat this up

[@rfmanchannel6915]

Hey Tom, I hope you are doing well! Thanks for your comments. RF Man

[@kamleshchavan7451]

Excellent video , any videos explaining the circuit's of RC toys Transmitter and receiver module's how the signals are transmitted from transmitter and receiver module of the RC toy to control the motor in the toy

[@rfmanchannel6915]

Sorry, I have no videos at the moment. I may post one next month discussing a 433MHz T/R module. Regards

[@ltlt6117]

I have some problems!!! How rf power amplifier works I have a walkie talkie that have a rf power amplifier module inside and powered by 7.5v and have 5watts of power into the antenna How this is happening? We know our antenna have a impedance of 50 ohm so if: I = v÷r P= v × I I= 7.5v ÷ 50ohm=150mA P=7.5v×150mA=1.12 watts So why ican see 5watts in my power meter

[@rfmanchannel6915]

If you watch my 6 part video series, you will have a better understanding of how an amplifier works. Basically An RF linear amplifier works by taking a low-power RF signal and amplifying it to a higher power level. The amplifier achieves this by using active devices such as transistors or vacuum tubes to amplify the signal.

[@ltlt6117]

@@rfmanchannel6915 thanks for answer. I have some modules from motorolla shw5066 they can produce 7watts of power with 7.5 volt battery and when I opened it ididnt see any transistor!!! I can send you some pictures of inside of it

[@markkennard861]

I would focus on the supply. If its 7.5v at 1 amp then its 7.5w. Then x it by the efficiency of the device. A single transistor stage would be around 50% but your walkie probably uses a power block so it will be less. The 50 ohms is just the transmission line impedance and doesnt reflect on the spec of the device.

[@chrisscott1547]

A two "pill" leanyer amplifier.

[@karwan6995]

🌹🌹🌹🌸🌸🌸🌷🌷🌷

[@leland9002]

Promo-SM 😁

[@user-np9of2vz6q]

Qn826

[@suresharavind6537]

Ĺinear

[@davidhamilton4950]

Yeah you clean your act up. You must went back and got another degree?