Need To Purchase An RF Amplifier? 3 Factors To Think About

Posted on: 13 August 2020

An RF amplifier is used to transmit a radio signal — you need more than a microphone system. You need an RF amplifier that will take a simple electronic sound wave and provide it with enough power to transmit and broadcast that signal through an antenna. An RF amplifier is the equipment that provides the power to take a simple sound recording and share it with the masses via the radio.

Factor #1: Power

The first factor that you need to consider is the power of the RF amplifier. With an RF amplifier, the farther you want the signal to go, or the more types of loads you want the signal to be transmitted as, the more output power you want the device to have. Power is measured in watts or megawatts; the larger the number, the more watts the unit has. You need to know what you want to do with the signal so you can select the right power level.

Be careful if you go for a high-powered RF amplifier. If you go for a really high-powered RF amplifier, you are going to need to use a shield to protect yourself from the ionizing that can occur at high power levels.

Factor #2: Efficiency

The second factor you need to consider is the efficiency of the RF amplifier. When looking at RF amplifiers, the efficiency may also be referred to as the output duty cycle. The output duty cycle is measured as classes with letters, such as Class A, Class B, etc.

The best class, with the most efficient duty cycle, is an amplifier with a Class A rating. As you go through the alphabet, the efficiency of the output decreases, but oftentimes, other factors, such as the power of the signal, increase as the efficiency of the signal decreases. If you want an extremely clear signal, you want to focus on a class rating at the start of the alphabet, such as Class A or Class B.

Factor #3: Wavelength

Third, you need to consider what wavelength the RF amplifier you purchase will be transmitting on. You want to make sure that you pick a wavelength that other devices in the area are not transmitting on.

If you transmit your signal over someone else's, both of your signals are going to get messed up. Figure out what wavelength you want to transmit your signal on, and then find an RF amplifier that can transmit at that wavelength.

Before you purchase an RF amplifier, you need to be clear about how you want to use the device. You need to know what type of efficiency you want, what wavelength you want to transmit on, and how much power you need. The more you know about what you want to accomplish, the easier time you will have purchasing an RF amplifier that will fit those needs.

For more information, contact an RF amplifier supplier in your area.

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