Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Microwave Modules MML 432/100

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - 6M/VHF/UHF+

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Microwave Modules MML 432/100
Reviews: 1MSRP:
Description:
100W 432MHz Power Amplifier
Product is in production
More Info: http://
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0014
M0BTZ Rating: 2012-08-01
Good Amplifier if used carefully. Showing its age a bit. Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Microwave Modules MML 432/100 is a good amplifier for the 70cm band for the amateur on a budget.

Some of the good points:-

1) Nice big chunky heatsink helps to keep the amplifier cool.

2) Thermal and VSWR protection.

3) Performs reasonably well for its age. Mine gives ~85W for 9W in. However my antenna VSWR is slightly high at 1.8:1 (I cannot tune it!). If you run the amplifier at about the 80W level (roughly 1dB compression point)then signal is usually much cleaner on the air.

I use it in mainly for SSB operation. If you run it at high duty cycle or do more than 3 or 4 long CQ calls in CW, the thermal cutout (in my case) does cut in a bit prematurely. Therefore a computer fan mounted over the heatsink helps a lot to keep the amplifier cool during heavy use.

I wish Microwave Modules had used two N connectors for both the input and output sockets though! I don't like BNC connectors, though it is adequate!

The decision to leave out a preamp is probably a good one, since having a preamp at the masthead is much more effective.

Overall the amplifier has been very reliable so far, but do not expect it to produce 100W in SSB use without it saturating heavily.

It does the job well as the amplifier at my station, whilst the homemade tube amplifier is under construction. I use it with an Icom IC-451A transceiver.

I would strongly recommend replacing the DC cable with something a bit thicker to keep the voltage drop on the cables to a minimum. Keep the DC cable length to the minimum length needed.

You will need as a bare minimum a good well regulated 25A PSU for the amplifier to perform at its best.

These are now getting to be very old units, but are a good compromise if you are running a 432MHz station on a budget.