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Reviews For: Mirage BD-35 Dual Band HT Amplifier (144/440)

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

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Review Summary For : Mirage BD-35 Dual Band HT Amplifier (144/440)
Reviews: 29MSRP: 159.95
Description:
The Mirage Dual Band Handheld Amplifier, which includes the 144/440 MHz segments. At 1-7 watts in, it will put out 45/35 watts respectively. It is also capable of full duplex operation, allowing the user to transmit on one band and listen on the other - provided that the handheld you're using is capable of this function. Listed frequency ranges are 144-146 on 2 meters and 430-450 on 70 centimeters. It is described as having an automatic band select, on-air indicator, and reverse polarity protection.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.mirageamp.com/mirageamp/products.php?prodid=BD-35
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00293.8
KE5KDA Rating: 2006-12-01
Excellent Amplifier Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
This is just what I needed for my Yaesu VX-7R handheld instead of installing a mobile VHF/UHF radio in my car. I installed this under my dash and it takes up hardly any room at all. I was concerned about heat since I have it near my knees, but heat is no problem. Anyway, it works great and really helps me get out to distant places when I am travelling. It's worth the money...which isn't too much anyway!

73's and God bless...

Ray
KE5KDA
SV1CDN Rating: 2006-04-10
Good in overal Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Purchased BD-35 last Christmas. It works fine in overal 50W max out with 5W in at VHF and 35W out with 5W in at UHF. Two drawbags though. First, got a bit dizzy after a couple of hours of VHF chat with 50W output from the amplifier. This means that there is some RF leakage! Neven felt like that using my FT-2500 rig. Amp is abt one meter away. Second, DO NOT input at VHF less than 1W. Yes, the amp will be triggered even with 300mW at VHF BUT probably a lot of spurious output and you will be heard all over the band even with FM narrow! Use more than 1W and the amp works fine. This is not the case at UHF were with 30mW in all is coming out clear (abt 5W).
VA2VYZ Rating: 2005-09-21
Worth the money Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Good amp for the price. Good quality construction. Maybe the DC cable is a little short, but you can put a longer one very easely.

I recommend this amp for portable VHF/UHF user that need a more power to reach mid-distant repeater.

Jean-François / VA2VYZ
OE6SWL Rating: 2004-01-05
Excellent Amp! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Hello OMs,

Maybe you can help me (you are my last chance!!!). I have a MIRAGE BD-35 Dual Band Amplifier. I bought this amp a few years ago. I want to use it with my Icom IC-Q7E (300mW output on 70cm and 350mW output on 2m). The user manual says that it is possible to fire this amp with 300mW Input power but the Amp didn´t work (it is still OK I tested it with a Kenwood TH42E!!). Is it possible to modify the amp (lower an Resistor, value of an capacitor, in the amp or so??) for working with 300mW Input Power??? I only need about 6W Output Power!

Do you have schematics for this amp???

Sincerely and all the Best for 2004

73, Alex from Austria (ÖSTERREICH)
KD5JFR Rating: 2003-08-12
I like the BD-35, I just got a second one Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I like these amps. I've had one for about 3 years, and I just picked up a second one off e-bay. They do the job well enough, and the size goes well with the latest class of micro-HT's. I've been moving my first BD-35 between two vehicles back and forth, which was getting old, so I decided to pick up a second one. They seem to only draw about 4-5 amps full load, and thus they have worked fine off a cigarette lighter. While I don't have a permanent "go bag", I do tend to throw one in when I'm going on a longer road trip for work. Last year I was in Durango, CO. I worked a repeater in Grants, NM just fine - about 120 miles away. That impressed me enough to always remember to take one along now. Bottom line is my first BD-35 just seems to keep cranking along. I know I'll put the second one to good use.
VK2HEL Rating: 2003-07-30
Great little amplifier Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I purchased a second hand one from ebay.com, and was amazed by it's small size and compact design. I hooked it to a 3AH 12V battery parallel with a 13.6V notebook transformer and it is working very well with my ICOM T90A
N1ZMH Rating: 2003-06-11
does the job Time Owned: more than 12 months.
have had for 18 months.use it with 12 v battery and mobile, for kenwood thf6a.

the construction is a bit thin on the bottom panel,but takes the abuse and holds together well enough.

i have one issue,the vhf transmit l.e.d. keeps popping inside the casing.its an easy fix,and has been in my go bag and is to be expected???

the rating is well deserved on perfomance alone.it does as is advertised.i WOULD recommend this unit considering its versatility with the handhelds i own.

KE4RWS Rating: 2003-06-11
Very Good Product Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had mine for about 4 years now. I use it off and on and it works great. I get the rated output with my handheld. It does get rather warm using full output but that's a normal effect for an amp of this type and size.

I believe they're still around $150, which is a good deal considering what you get.

I recommend this item!
NJ6F Rating: 2003-06-11
Great Amp Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Great Amp! Works great with my VX7 Yaesu handheld. I velcroed the unit on to a 20AH jump start battery and power it from the battery for portable use. I plan on using it with the 2-FM sats and the Arrow Antenna and external duplexer.
Use it mobile no problem and this is the one that the emergency disaster radio write-ups tell you to use.
Draws 7 Amps max. When running it off my cigarette plug in the car it pulled enough to bring the voltage down on the VX7 and shut it off, so I use the jumpstart battery to power my VX7 and plug the amp into the lighter plug.