| N8OBU |
Rating:   |
2021-01-01 | |
| not ready for prime time yet |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
ok amp they quit working on firmware updates they promised i use mine remotely with a anan700 from my house the amp is in my back yard in my cell building very pricey but compared to other amps i looked at it was the best built with the best support structure at the time yahoo users group yahoo groups closed go to groups io and look for them and you set the drive level with what rf pad you have installed when you order it so low powered rigs can still easily drive it it will need a 220 volt power source if you want to run full power or half power on a 110 plug ,it has a 7"touch screen for a face 4 antenna ports can order with a built in tuner this is a kit so plan on 6 about hours to build it, join the groups io site read , read ,so far i have replaces the outputs 4 times at 500.00 a set not ready for prime time updated 12.31 2020
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| K0KP |
Rating:      |
2019-10-29 | |
| Love it! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| This is a GREAT amp, easy legal limit including AM phone and other high duty cycle modes. Love it! |
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| N6MZ |
Rating:  |
2019-06-12 | |
| AVOID |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I received one of these amps for evaluation. I could not find any information to help me build the interface for my transceiver, nor could I find any info regarding two issues (a bug during boot, and overheating on 6m). To get any kind of information on this product, one must join their "email group," since there's ZERO technical info on the Rf-kit web site. After trying THREE TIMES over the span of a week to join the "email group," I received an extremely rude email response from their so-called "moderator" saying "You waste my time." Well, PLEASE DON'T WASTE ANY MORE OF MY TIME, I'll never do business with you. 73 |
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| PA8AD |
Rating:      |
2018-12-26 | |
| Great legal limit LMOS kit! |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
| Professional design with super performance for legal limit power on HF. Using it now for 6 months mainly in contests. Producing almost no noise. With a super cooling concept ensuring the temp not going above 50C degrees in intense CW contests. Simple kit to build. Just plug in the Rasberry, fit some coax cable and calibrate. Nice touch screen but also fully remote via LAN or WIFI. Great value for money with good support. |
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| W1BIC |
Rating:      |
2018-12-26 | |
| Great "Smart" Amplifier |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I bought this at Dayton, May 2018. Shipping from Germany was a super FAST 2 Days through DHL, and it arrived in perfect condition. After reading the Alignment instructions, I realized it was a bit over my head, but thanks to Gary W4EEY for helping me with the final calibration of this beautiful piece of equipment!
This Software Defined amplifier has 2 computers that seem to make it nearly impossible to do something stupid that would let the smoke out.
I use my IC-7300 that drives this amplifier exclusively through RemoteHams.com and the built in remote control of this Amplifer through VnC (iPhone or Android) works Every Time.
A very reliable piece of equipment for 50% of what you will pay for something similar.
Here is a cool map of Locations of B26-PA owners:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?ll=36.26588620222498%2C-81.68308519769957&z=3&mid=1vR4slilGdQhGJCGbK979ouZ9xQ5epj91 |
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| K9HZ |
Rating:     |
2018-12-25 | |
| The Good and the Bad |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I've owned the RF-2K+ now for more than a year. As an RF designer of LDMOS amplifiers myself, I was attracted to it's nice user interface and various automated features, and purchased it more to compare/ contrast/ review it against other designs in the same category. After using it, and with the release of other commercial amps in the same category with the same features, I will probably sell it... and from that perspective I don't have a lot of long term capital invested in it like others, so have a clear mind towards reviewing it.
The Good:
The RF-2K+ is a solidly designed amplifier loaded with plenty of features for those on a budget. An internal antenna tuner, selection of four antennas, touch screen and remote control, and wifi capable interface makes this an amplifier that everyone on a budget should look at. The heart of the amp... a dual BLF188 (now 189) brick with associated protection is extremely well designed. IMD is near the lowest I've measured on an LDMOS amp... even of my designs. The interface to this brick is an Arduino (used for signal processing, I/O, keying, conversions, metering, etc.) and a Raspberry Pi (user-machine interface). The interface is well done, has plenty of user information, and is selectable for different languages and layouts. The kit comes ready to assemble from instructions (more on this later) with just a few simple additional purchases to complete the kit (Fans, Raspberry Pi, Attenuator, etc.). The amp is an easy build for anyone with a little of building experience, connecting cables, mounting hardware, and testing and calibrating. The calibration takes a little while but yields a usable amplifier and interface that can generate 1500 watts out on 160-10 meters and upwards of 600 watts on 6 meters. I have used the amp in contests with good results. With the recommended fans, it operates cool and rarely trips our on SWR, power, or high temp faults even under the harshest conditions. On this basis I can recommend the amplifier.
The Bad:
The first amplifier I ordered got stuck in US customs because it had the wrong import designation codes on it (Type of merchandise). This took a couple of weeks to resolve but not problematic in and of itself. However when the amp arrived, the packing was so unprofessional that one corner of the amp had been bent in shipment. To the credit of RF Kit, they swapped out my amp with a new one, taking a few weeks to resolve. Once unpackaged, all of the parts were present and accounted for. To assemble the kit you need instructions, and they are posted in the files section of the associated GROUPS.IO group. Unfortunately this is disorganized as you are never sure if you have the latest instructions... or if the instructions pertains to your version of the kit or not. Originally, the ATU did not work because the firmware was not ready. This has been resolved through a later release of firmware. Elecraft, while using a GROUPS.IO group to communicate with their patrons, got all of this right... by posting instructions, firmware, and announcements on their website… and letting the discussions take place in the groups. There were a few updates that were a bit difficult to discern as to when they were appropriate... what rev level, etc. I suppose that is left to the reader in the end since it is a kit. There seem to be a lot of LDMOS failures reported on the group as of late. Not sure what it is all about... maybe poor calibration or too much over-drive but that needs to get resolved. The RF-KIT group is a bit regimented in it's control and free thinking is not tolerated. This may well be worth the upwards of $2K+ you can save with this kit.
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|
| W3FRG |
Rating:      |
2018-12-25 | |
| Excellent choice |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I received my B26 RF-2K+ kit, with optional antenna tuner, in mid April 2017.
I had to wait a few additional months for a newly designed and tested LPF since other LPF units available did not meet technical requirements.
I built up the amp and tested it as far as I could go until the LPF arrived.
Once the LPF arrived, assembly and alignment was completed.
Procedures are readily available walking you through all of the necessary alignments.
This is an electronic kit designed for “Hands on Individuals” who can use their
knowledge, and hands on experience.
When you receive this amp kit, you become the owner and must take responsible for its completion.
There is no warranty, so when things go wrong you can’t just send it back and relax.
This isn’t to say there isn’t any advice to your questions and issues, on the contrary, there is a lot available. Using the RF-2K Reflector Groups.IO, email, Skype or the phone, you can get all the help required, but you must have the capability to perform the task at hand.
Having the test equipment and knowledge to use it, troubleshooting and the ability to remove and replace devices when required is a bare necessity. Good ESD procedures when handling, or soldering, smd or replacing LDMOS devices and wiring changes is essential.
Additionally, using the built-in VNC capability, remote operations are a snap.
This amp is a workhorse and will perform well beyond your expectations.
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|
| NG7M |
Rating:      |
2018-12-24 | |
| 95% Complete QRO LDMOS Amplifier Kit that will not disappoint |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
A big thumbs up and Kudo's to Reinhard DH3NAB for bringing this amazing project to the Amateur Community: https://www.qrz.com/db/dh3nab
I have been a happy owner of an RF-KIT b26-RF2K+ since August of 2018, and made an extensive set of YouTube Videos that document my Journey assembling the kit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE7Pm45Q_M690wC0oLa6qUQ
Static Pictures of my assembly: http://www.nc7j.com/pa/main.php?cmd=album&var1=NG7M%2FRF-KIT%2F
Don't let the length and detail of my videos give you the impression this is a difficult amplifier to assemble!!! To the contrary and to echo what others have said, the kit can be assembled and be on the air in 1 or 2 days. Join the groups.io group here: https://b26-pa.groups.io/g/main
Do the research and you will discover that even with limited technical and soldering skills you will easily be able to get this amplifier on the air in short order.
As of August 2018 with the US Dollar to Euro exchange rate at that time, I was able to take delivery of my b26-RF2K+ with the antenna tuner option for ~$3600, shipping included. Of course your price will vary based on the exchange rate etc... Plan on another $80 to $100 US Dollars to purchase the additional items to complete the kit. Power cord, Raspberry PI 3 B+, three fans.
The remote capabilities with the b26-RF2K+ are excellent along with Transceiver integration options. You have a full Linux distribution on the Raspberry PI and can remote in and see the 7 inch touch screen panel as though you are sitting in front of the amplifier.
My videos will give you all the details on power required for power output across the bands etc. And make sure you use the latest documentation and reference the groups.io group where any new information will supersede what I have covered in the videos and pictures. You should keep in mind that this is a Kit! Expect to learn something along with way. The documentation will continue to be refined as time goes on. It will require some research and attention to detail to get the most out of the amplifier.
Max NG7M |
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| WB5IRI |
Rating:      |
2018-12-24 | |
| Outstanding amp evolving constantly |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
A great amplifier that is still a work in progress. For the experimenter and technically minded, which is what hams are supposed to be, not mere appliance operators.
So, I am giving it a 5, even though, as a work in progress, sometimes things need tinkering. This amplifier represents the best bang for your buck, backed by solid German engineering and construction. As it evolves, the online suppport group provides a solid base of assistance and encouragement. |
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| N4PY |
Rating:      |
2018-12-24 | |
| Great Amp |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| I put this kit together in 2 days. I am so impressed with the quality in this amplifier. I have never seen such amazing protection from overdrive. It even has protection for a failure in its low pass filter. The gain of the LDMOS transistors is around 1500 times! |
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