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Reviews For: Hardrock-50 HF+6M Solid State Amplifier Kit

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : Hardrock-50 HF+6M Solid State Amplifier Kit
Reviews: 72MSRP: 260.00
Description:
Based on Jim Veatch's winning ARRL Home Brew Challenge II amplifier design, it's been improved and functionality has been expanded to include a new aluminum enclosure with built in heat sink, an LCD display, pre-soldered SMT components, computer control options, software upgradeable, easier to use connectors, and MORE. All software is open source and the unit hackable, including an accessible I2C header to add your own peripherals.

Kit includes 4 PCBs (3 without .5W driver) with all surface mount components professionally installed using a reflow process. Builder only needs to install through hole components; toroidal inductors, relays, transistors, connectors, etc. Also includes professionally machined case with integral heat-sink, all chassis mount components, interconnects and instruction/assembly manual. Supports auto band select (depending on transceiver) and can be driven with 0.5 watts.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.hobbypcb.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
15725
N0BS Rating: 2013-01-11
Works great - great value. Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The Genesis for the Hardrock-50 was the ARRL Homebrew Challenge II design contest. The winning entry, by Jim Veatch, WA2EUJ, has evolved into the current iteration of the Hardrock 50.
This amplifier covers 160 through 6 meters (not including 60m), and provides a nominal 40w to 50w output (slight variation from band to band, and 30w - 35w on 6m) from a 5w input, making it a very nice accessory for any of the numerous 5w QRP rigs available today. An optional preamp will provide the same output using only 500mw drive, making it the ideal companion for the very popular SoftRock series of transceivers, giving them “big rig” power in a small package.
The kit includes all parts required to construct a fully operational amplifier, including a very heavy duty extruded aluminum enclosure and heat sink. Also provided are extremely attractive front and back panels with all holes pre-punched and labeled, resulting in a piece of gear with a very professional appearance when completed. The front panel sports a lighted display that provides band information, power output and SWR bar graphs, and digital readouts. The amp is powered by a user provided external 13.8 vdc supply, connected via back panel mounted Anderson Power Pole connectors.
The heavy duty printed circuit boards are of very high quality, with all surface mounted devices pre-installed. Only through hole parts are mounted by the builder, and components seem to be of very good quality.
In my opinion, I would recommend that the builder have some prior kit building experience, but anyone with good soldering skills, a few hand tools, and the ability to read and follow instructions carefully, should be able to successfully build this kit. The instructions are clearly written and easy to follow. A number of toroids must be wound, as well as several transformers, and very detailed instructions for properly making these components are provided – nothing to fear.
Note that the final mechanical assembly may be the most challenging aspect of this kit for some builders. The heat sink is not pre-drilled or tapped for mounting the main circuit board, and the 4 MOSFETS also require individual mounting holes to be drilled and tapped. Self tapping screws are provided, but relying on them to properly tap the hole without breaking off in the hole is at best, optimistic, and at worst, a messy problem. A “factory drilled and tapped” heat sink option would be the single greatest improvement that could be made to this kit.
Initial check out and set up is very straightforward, requiring only a decent quality digital multimeter, a few test leads, and small screwdriver to adjust the bias pots.
The Hardrock-50 provides keying via either rf sensing (COR) or via an input signal from your transceiver (PTT). T-R switching is accomplished via a relay, which is quite quiet, even on cw, and works very smoothly. Jim is working on a QSK option for those operators who prefer higher speed T-R switching for cw. A standby mode is also switch selectable, so you can quickly and easily switch between your QRP power level and 50w.
Overall operation is simple, and the amplifier works very smoothly with a variety of radios. Various functions of the amplifier, as well as the display, are controlled in firmware, so additional future options and updates are planned, such as auto band switching with radios like the KX3. Firmware updates can be loaded from your PC to the Hardrock-50 via a built in USB port.
On the air reports are excellent, and running 50w is only 3db (or a half S unit) down from a 100w rig, so this amp gives your QRP rig all the extra power you need for most situations. If you need more, the 50w output is enough to drive most larger amplifiers quite well.
I have been extremely pleased with this amp and would highly recommend it to anyone that wants to be able to give their QRP rig some extra output. For $259 and a few hours work, I consider it to be a very good value.
There is a support forum on the HobbyPCB web site for the Hardrock-50, and Jim Veatch is unsurpassed in the level of support and service that he provides for his designs.
The Hardrock-50 is currently undergoing FCC certification.
I have no affiliation or business relationship – simply a happy user.
Tom NØBS
K4RYR Rating: 2012-12-13
Great Amplifer for QRP Rigs Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased this amplifier and assembled it in about 10 hrs. Take your time and follow instructions and it works great when you first turn it on. Coupled with a Flex 1500 it turned it into a good reliable HF radio for all the hf bands. You don't have to be an experienced kit builder to assemble this kit or need any special test equipment to set it up. A good buy for the $$ with excellent factory support if you need it!