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Reviews For: Linear Amp Gemini 2 1.2kw

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

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Review Summary For : Linear Amp Gemini 2 1.2kw
	Reviews: 7	MSRP: 1,899 sterling inc of tax
	Description: The all new Gemini 2-1.2K is a solid state 1200W CW output Linear Amplifier for 144-148Mhz. The Gemini 2-1.2K has been designed from the start with high duty cycle usage in mind. The core of the amplifier is dominated by a 7.5Kg aluminium heatsink cooled by three temperature controlled fans. In testing we have left it sat on the bench at 1kW output continuously for 30 minutes plus without reaching thermal cutout temperatures so it is ideal for dedicated EME / MS / FSK / JT mode users and contesters. The Integral Power Supply units will accept 100-260V Mains Input so the unit can be used worldwide without any modifications. Specifications are: Max output 1200W 144-148Mhz P1dB 1000W output Spurious outputs <60dB wrt 1000W Input R/L >15dB Drive levels 2.5-20W specified at purchase Built in sequencer and Bias T feed for masthead preamplifiers Protection for Overdrive/SWR/Over Temperature RX Insertion Loss <0.25dB Overall efficiency at 1kW output >70%. RF output meter RF Device 1 x BLF188XR LDMOS ** Power requirements 100-260V 50-60Hz Dimensions 315mm wide x 180mm high x 360mm deep Weight 14,5Kg Made in the UK. The Gemini 2-1200 is really quiet in operation. Changeover relays are quiet. Fans only run when they need to and are controlled by our own PIC fan controller giving stepless speed control proportional to temperature.
	Product is in production
More Info: http://https://www.thedxshop.com/linear-amp-uk-linear-amplifiers/linear-amp-vhf-uhf-amplifiers/gemini-2-1-2k-1200w-144mhz-solid-state-linear-amplifier.html
# last 180 days	Avg. Rating last 180 days	Total reviews	Avg. overall rating
2	5	7	5

GW0GEI	Rating:	2025-01-09
First user review			Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Following my very positive experience with the smaller 4/6m version of this solid state amplifier, I pre ordered one of the first production models of the new high power 2m versions earlier this year. The amp was delivered on time and well packaged, and is the same quality and quiet product as its smaller version. I am initially driving it with an ft817nd and specified 5w drive power on ordering, so I can drive it with 0.5w on low power (giving around 200w) or 2.5w on medium power from the radio, yielding me legal limit 400w effortlessly at the antenna. Into a dummy load the max drive of 5w from the radio is getting 1.2kw+ out from a measured 4.7w of drive on both ssb and cw. Lovely constructed amp and it can also deliver voltage to a masthead pre amp with a switch on the front panel. Another great amp from Linear Amp which is proving to be very useful in getting people to turn their beams out here to the west coast of uk:-) Update 9/1/25 I sold my original unit at the end of the two year warranty period, and received a really good price for it, so like the other Geminis I have owned they keep their value well. I decided to go qro again in late 2023 so ordered the updated version of this 1.2 amp which will now give a clean 1.4kw. I have had this updated amp just over a year now and it's performance has been faultless in monthly rsgb contests and some of the bigger European contests running our new 1kw limit at the feed point. 7.5w from ic705 on bench supply is giving 1400w. Seldom goes beyond stage one fan setting even when running ft 8 and jt65 q65 at 1kw. It's a reliable beast for tropo, contesting, and future eme work. The heat sink in it is huge and heavy, which is why the fan just ticks over even with long 1kw cw cqs. Sits alongside it's big brother 4/6m equivalent which runs 1.5kw on 6m equally as quiet and cool.

NX7U	Rating:	2024-12-25
Worth the wait			Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Excellent value. Use daily for meteor scatter, planning on adding EME capability for which it will be well suited. A couple of quirks: the SWR trip is quite sensitive to peak power, so for example running MSK144 I have to back the drive back a bit as compared to CW or FT8. The gain seems to drift down a bit after initial power up/TX (maybe 10%). And apparently toggle switches in the UK are ON when the lower half is depressed. Not really things to get too worried about. I'll keep it forever and it feels like it will last that long.

M0ITX	Rating:	2024-04-13
Early days,but it's everything i'd hoped for.			Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Only owned my 2m 1.2k for a couple of weeks,but absolutely love it. Build quality is excellent and couldn't be easier to use. I'm ssb only,and with output peaking around 750w it barely gets warm,though the fans are a little noisier than expected,but in no way intrusive,and certainly a world away from my valve/tube amp fan noise. Power is delivered with such ease,you can forget it's running and the built-in sequencer is a real bonus,saving money on external units and reducing cables in the shack. There's also plenty of protection circuitry to keep the amp safe from high swr and overdriving,though the manual does warn against overdriving,tx spikes which can still do damage before the protection has time to activate,so care should be taken to make sure all is good with your transmitter before using the amp. Another very important feature is the super clean output,all the way up to 1kw,thanks to very extensive filtering,so unless you overdrive the amp with a very poorly filtered transceiver,you shouldn't upset anyone. From time to time you buy something and almost immediately know you'll own it for many,many years and that's the feeling i get with this amp,so i don't think i need say more.

VK2DVM	Rating:	2023-10-20
Very impressive			Time Owned: more than 12 months.
After a long 6 month wait my Gemini 2 1.2 finally arrived, but it was definitely worth the wait. Mine is the latest version with the 65V LDMOS and is capable of 1400W pep, so it really coasts along at the VK legal pwr limit. The internal fan is almost silent in the shack and rarely breaks out of level 1 even on a long transmission. Although no negatives in performance it would be nice if there was metering for reflected power as well as forward, and secondly, if using an external masthead preamp it would be nice to see more sophisticated sequencing. I had to build a cct to hold my Icom's ALC line at the -5V for 100mS after keydown in order to use digital mode capability. As it stands the Gemini 2 can only sequence if using a footswitch or routed PTT from a microphone. Also, the preamp output doesn't operate in standby mode, so if you only want to run 'barefoot' you'll also be without the preamp. Hopefully these minor inconveniences will be addressed in future model updates. Update 10/20/2023: My Gemini 2 failed recently and it was verified that the LDMOS had failed. Circumstances are mysterious but it's possible that the device was defective. Anyway, Roger came to the rescue and arranged shipping to the UK and about a month later it's back in the shack and working better than ever. I'm now driving it from my IC7610 and DB9NT TR-144H transverter, which ensures that no overdrive is possible (25W output). Hopefully, years of reliable running ahead but it's reassuring to know that the after sales service is exemplary, so well done to Roger and the team.

M0AFJ	Rating:	2022-11-17
Fine Amplifier			Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Been running this amplifier for nearly a year now, it’s been 100% since day one. I’ve used it in contests, MS, CW SSB and FT8 without any problems. Has an inbuilt sequencer and 12V supply for preamp switching, very handy And it’s much cheaper than the competitors.. Update, now it’s 6th year with me without a hiccup, SSB/CW/FT8., it just keeps on going, really makes DX working easy.

G4TRA	Rating:	2022-05-07
Great product, superb service			Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The Gemini 2 1.2Kw now uses the ceramic 65V ART1K6FH LDMOS devise, hence a cool 1400w is now available from this quality UK designed and built amplifier which has been in use in my shack for 6 months now following a six months waiting time. Running UK legal limit the amplifier is very quiet and never breaks from fan speed 1 indicating that the thermal management is well designed and robust for modes such as digital EME. Whilst the power meter could do with a little damping, the integrated sequencer works fine with my TS790E and SSB200 LNA and the customised Pinet rack handles not only look good but make it easier moving the unit onto the shelf. However the provided “user instructions” are limited and there's no circuit diagram which is a shame, but this is made up by excellent support and service from Roger at the DX Shop should you need it. Highly recommended.

M0CVX	Rating:	2019-05-05
Solid no-fuss QRO for 2m			Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Unpacking the amplifier you just know you've bought a quality item. Switch it on, and your initial impressions are confirmed. Excellent quality and finish, no-fuss 1kw if you want it (here it will run data at 500w to stay within UK licence limit at antenna). Roger is a great guy to deal with...yep, you get to talk to the chap that hand-builds your amp to order. So impressed I now want the 6m version.

Category:

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

Product:

Linear Amp Gemini 2 1.2kw

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