Chinese 2.3 and 3.4GHz 1watt Amplifiers on ebay

[G4FRE]

A while ago i bought a couple of amplifiers off ebay to get the output level of my pluto increased when not transverting

The 1st one as a "3.2GHz-3.6GHz SBB5089+SZA3044 Microwave Power Amplifier RF Power Amp 1W 30DB" It arrived quickly but I only just gor round to trying it

Running the module off 12V (it has an onboard regulator) I got the following results. The 1st values are for the top of the linear range of the amps performance (1db compression point)

3.4GHz -15dBm input +24dbm output, saturates at 0.32W (linear gain 39dB)
3.5GHz -11dBm input +23dbm output, saturates at 0.22W (linear gain 34dB)

out of interest i tried it on the lower bands

2.4GHz -12dBm input +24dbm output, saturates at 0.5W (linear gain 36dB)
1.3GHz -10dBm input +25dbm output, saturates at 0.45W (linear gain 35dB)

It is very broadband!

The second amplifer was "700MHz-2.4GHz SBB5089+SZA2044 Microwave Power Amplifier RF Power Amp 1W 30DBm"

The corresponding numbers are as follows:-

1.3GHz -11dBm input +26dbm output, saturates at 0.5W (linear gain 37dB)
2.3GHz -13dBm input +26.5dbm output, saturates at 0.55W (linear gain 39.5dB)
2.4GHz -13dBm input +25.5dbm output, saturates at 0.6W (linear gain 38.5dB)
(I didnt measure below 23cm as their isnt an amateur band)

Conclusions

Neither amplifier reaches 1Watt even when saturated
Both amplifiers have more gain than quoted
Both amplifiers would be overdriven if you use the "30dbm output 30dB gain" figures quoted

May have to dig out my Siemens 2-6GHz TWT as a gain block!

Dave
G4FRE

[g7ocd]

Dave, this is very common as these are often rated at pulse power (for wifi packets etc).
Jason