eHam

eHam Forums => Amplifiers => Topic started by: KC0W on March 18, 2023, 01:49:45 AM

Title: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KC0W on March 18, 2023, 01:49:45 AM
  I don't know if I would hang my head in shame or be proud to say that over the air. This company makes 11 HF amplifiers but the posted technical specifications about any of them would fit in a thimble............Would you be proud to say you are running "an octopus"?

 https://embamplifiers.com/index.php?rt=product/category&path=71 (https://embamplifiers.com/index.php?rt=product/category&path=71) 


                                                                     Tom KH0/KC0W
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: NA4IT on March 18, 2023, 04:15:11 AM
Maybe it transmits on all bands at once, hence the Octopus!
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: K1KIM on March 18, 2023, 06:57:18 AM
WOW

$1.10 per Watt. Never seen that before.  ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: AC2EU on March 18, 2023, 08:24:41 AM
  I don't know if I would hang my head in shame or be proud to say that over the air. This company makes 11 HF amplifiers but the posted technical specifications about any of them would fit in a thimble............Would you be proud to say you are running "an octopus"?

 https://embamplifiers.com/index.php?rt=product/category&path=71 (https://embamplifiers.com/index.php?rt=product/category&path=71) 


                                                                     Tom KH0/KC0W

Their helpline  email is a gmail account.  That's a red flag for me.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: W3PX on March 18, 2023, 08:31:18 AM
A couple more red flags:

The amplifiers require an output filter to meet FCC specs. Additional cost, many won't bother.

Output is called "wattage" instead of "power".

There was a description of how many "Bird Watts" the amplifiers could do. I guess as opposed to "Dosy" watts lol. I'm surprised there wasn't a spec for "dead key" and "swing".

I couldn't find any "About Us" information or a name and call sign anywhere, even those these amps are designed for hams.

These things have CB written all over them.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: N7EKU on March 18, 2023, 08:32:53 AM
No low pass filters :-(

But I guess you can design, build, and provide your own.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: W3PX on March 18, 2023, 08:42:52 AM
Maybe it transmits on all bands at once, hence the Octopus!

You win the internet today!
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: VE7RF on March 18, 2023, 09:40:05 AM
No low pass filters :-(

But I guess you can design, build, and provide your own.

Some models have LP filters..and some don't.  Read the fine print.   Some models don't come with the 50 V power supply either..and some do.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: WA3SKN on March 18, 2023, 10:08:19 AM
"Needs a low pass filter to comply with the FCC if applicable"... this says it all.
Comes with used 50v 20a power supply, rated at 1000w in and 600w out, but draws 18a and rated 300w out CW... etc.,etc.
Control operator responsible for proper operation.  That means YOU.  Maybe there is a reason FCC does not approve of it.  And they start building the amp after you order it.
I'll pass on this one.

-Mike.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: K0IZ on March 18, 2023, 12:00:11 PM
Nice meters.  Saw some just like it on eBay. 
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: VE7RF on March 18, 2023, 09:47:18 PM
Check out his blog.  Superb.

https://embamplifiers.com/index.php?rt=blog/blog
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KA4WJA on March 19, 2023, 06:40:47 AM
Yep, marketed to the CB crowd, whether for 11m or for those on the amateur bands!  :(


And, I'm a pretty smart guy....but...
But, could someone please tell me what does this mean?

I guess as opposed to "Dosy" watts lol.

I've seen others here-abouts use this term, and I assumed it was a mispelling of "Duesy", referring to the reverent slang for the wonderful ole' Duesenberg automobile?
But, I admit I'm confused here.
So, help a fellow ham out.

What the heck are you guys talking about?  :)


Thanks.

73,
John,  KA4WJA
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: W3PX on March 19, 2023, 06:42:39 AM
Seek and you shall find . . .

https://www.dosy.com/
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KA4WJA on March 19, 2023, 06:46:38 AM
Ah, it's a watt meter.  (Kinda' makes my thoughts of a Duesenberg, look idiotic, huh?)

Thank you Frank!
Seek and you shall find . . .

https://www.dosy.com/
I learned something new today.  :)

73,
John,  KA4WJA
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KM4AH on March 19, 2023, 07:44:57 AM
I still don't understand why ya'll are so obsessed with CB'ers.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: AC2EU on March 19, 2023, 08:23:22 AM
I still don't understand why ya'll are so obsessed with CB'ers.

Some are spectral polluters!
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: AC2RY on March 19, 2023, 08:55:28 AM
  I don't know if I would hang my head in shame or be proud to say that over the air. This company makes 11 HF amplifiers but the posted technical specifications about any of them would fit in a thimble............Would you be proud to say you are running "an octopus"?

 https://embamplifiers.com/index.php?rt=product/category&path=71 (https://embamplifiers.com/index.php?rt=product/category&path=71) 


                                                                     Tom KH0/KC0W

These are not complete amplifiers, but amplifier modules. You need to add power supply, output filter, control logic, protection circuits. When all of this is included price triples. I would expect everyone who buys one of these come back to forums and complain that solid state amps hard to operate and unreliable.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: K0UA on March 19, 2023, 10:02:40 AM
Maybe it transmits on all bands at once, hence the Octopus!

But they are only guaranteed to transmit on 8 bands at once. :)
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KC0W on March 19, 2023, 02:34:39 PM
Seek and you shall find . . .

https://www.dosy.com/

 Suspicions confirmed.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KM4AH on March 19, 2023, 02:58:34 PM
I still don't understand why ya'll are so obsessed with CB'ers.

Some are spectral polluters!

Perhaps, but interestingly enough the nastiest signals that I track down are 20 WPM extras running Swans or something.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KC6RWI on March 19, 2023, 06:00:34 PM
I bet the you couldn't find the factory, or should I say garage where these are built.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KC0W on March 19, 2023, 10:11:26 PM
I bet the you couldn't find the factory, or should I say garage where these are built.


 (https://i.ibb.co/cJy9yqk/Capture1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qBD8D67)
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KF6QEX on March 19, 2023, 11:06:05 PM
Shhh...you are killing the narrative :)

ps:  HP too!
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KD6VXI on March 21, 2023, 05:57:33 AM
DOSY.  Emil Dosy.  Great start up story, both him and the guy that started Wawassee.  They started in the heyday of CB radio and actually made a go of it.  Dosy sold off a few years ago to the ChiCom conglomerates.

He was also DEMCO...  Dosy Electronics Manufacturing COrporation.  As well as a few known ham radio brands over the years.

Sadly, he's most well known for the wildly swinging wattmeters.  Too bad, the DEMCO equipment was pretty hot for it's time.

Mr Dosy did well enough selling wattmeters that he was able to afford his own Gulf Stream.  As did Mr Wawassee. 

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: N8YX on March 29, 2023, 12:43:50 PM
I have a Catalyzer from the days of way back when. Neat little accessory for those who wanted to monitor their transmitted signal envelope.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: N0UN on March 29, 2023, 12:58:35 PM
I still don't understand why ya'll are so obsessed with CB'ers.

I don't play there since I was a kid and while driving semi's years ago, but I know several that still play in the 11 Meter sandbox.  And ya' know what?  Every one of them is a better "communicator" than Hams that have taken the lazy, computer scripted automated text message thingy road.

Fact.

NØUN
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KD6VXI on March 30, 2023, 11:03:13 AM
I still don't understand why ya'll are so obsessed with CB'ers.
"communicator" than Hams that have taken the lazy, computer scripted automated text message thingy road.

Fact.

NØUN


Yeah, F*ck those RTTY guys.

Give it a rest man.  The spiel is old.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: N0UN on March 30, 2023, 01:10:05 PM
I still don't understand why ya'll are so obsessed with CB'ers.
"communicator" than Hams that have taken the lazy, computer scripted automated text message thingy road.

Fact.

NØUN


Yeah, F*ck those RTTY guys.

Give it a rest man.  The spiel is old.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

The spiel may be old, but never more true of that lazy, computer scripted automated text message thingy.

Like I said, CBers have more communication skills than those that take the lazy way.

So glad I could "trigger" you, it's been my pleasure.

RR73, bwahahahahaha!

NØUN
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: VE7RF on March 31, 2023, 09:04:05 AM
It gets better, 11m ops can now use their ham gear on 11m  FM.  Now they really get to blow S#@t up. 
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: N8YX on March 31, 2023, 09:53:27 AM
It gets better, 11m ops can now use their ham gear on 11m  FM.  Now they really get to blow S#@t up.
Funny thing is, I've never encountered much FM operation on the Class D Service since that Rule went into effect.

It's mostly used in the so-called "freeband" areas of the upper HF spectrum. But still rare to hear there.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: VE7RF on March 31, 2023, 03:26:16 PM
It gets better, 11m ops can now use their ham gear on 11m  FM.  Now they really get to blow S#@t up.
Funny thing is, I've never encountered much FM operation on the Class D Service since that Rule went into effect.

It's mostly used in the so-called "freeband" areas of the upper HF spectrum. But still rare to hear there.

They could start up there own (mono),  FM rock n roll station.

13 yrs ago, a few of us tried FM on 75m for a laff, like at 2 am, for all of 5 mins.  Previous to that, we all tried AM, the week before.   Well, neither experiment worked out too good.   I did try a kw FM on 10m, talking to a local buddy, when he was mobile.    "full quieting".
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: KD6VXI on April 02, 2023, 04:59:52 AM
I still don't understand why ya'll are so obsessed with CB'ers.
"communicator" than Hams that have taken the lazy, computer scripted automated text message thingy road.

Fact.

NØUN


Yeah, F*ck those RTTY guys.

Give it a rest man.  The spiel is old.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

The spiel may be old, but never more true of that lazy, computer scripted automated text message thingy.

Like I said, CBers have more communication skills than those that take the lazy way.

So glad I could "trigger" you, it's been my pleasure.

RR73, bwahahahahaha!

NØUN

You only wish you could.  A diatribe that never changes is pretty much over with before it started.  Like you.

By the way, how many decades has it been since you saw your neck?  Does steroids do what they say it does 'downstairs'?


--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: W3SLK on April 02, 2023, 05:40:15 AM
While I don't much care for 11M OPs, as long as they stay in their own 'sandbox' and don't bother me, I won't bother them. However, some in their quest to 'swing the biggest monkey' with regards to amplifiers left me somewhat appreciative of their efforts. I'm not talking about the Hunter Bandits, the Mars or the D&A junk you see at hamfests. I'm talking about people with some amount of talent to go and put 8X3-500Z's on 27Mhz without any of them going into oscillation oblivion! People like Shane and Will Matney(RIP) on the old AMPS reflector made me have a greater appreciation for some of their efforts. I'm not saying there aren't any 'Rube Goldbergs' out there, (our community isn't shy of them either), but we ought to exam some of the successes and see how we can apply the same.
Title: Re: "Amplifier here is the OCTOPUS"
Post by: N0UN on April 02, 2023, 09:21:19 AM
I still don't understand why ya'll are so obsessed with CB'ers.
"communicator" than Hams that have taken the lazy, computer scripted automated text message thingy road.

Fact.

NØUN


Yeah, F*ck those RTTY guys.

Give it a rest man.  The spiel is old.

--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

The spiel may be old, but never more true of that lazy, computer scripted automated text message thingy.

Like I said, CBers have more communication skills than those that take the lazy way.

So glad I could "trigger" you, it's been my pleasure.

RR73, bwahahahahaha!

NØUN

You only wish you could.  A diatribe that never changes is pretty much over with before it started.  Like you.

By the way, how many decades has it been since you saw your neck?  Does steroids do what they say it does 'downstairs'?


--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI

Poor guy.  Must be tough getting all that beach sand constantly kicked up on ya'. Like I said, glad I could trigger ya'.

NØUN