Booster Amp Aids Tactical Radios

Feb. 11, 2010

Model AR-75 from AR Modular RF is a band-switching RF booster amplifier designed for use with multiband VHF/UHF tactical radios. It covers 30 to 512 MHz with selectable output power of 30, 50, or 75 W. The rugged amplifier, with six automatically switched and filtered bands, includes voltage spike suppression, transmit/receive switching, automatic level control (ALC), and protection against antenna mismatch. Designed to operate from +24-VDC vehicular systems, the unit includes a switchable low-noise amplifier (LNA) with 9-dB gain and RF power level control. It is SINCGARS, HAVE QUICK, and ECCM compatible, and handles input power levels to 20 W without damage. Typical harmonics are -60 dBc or better while typical spurious levels are -75 dBc. The amplifier is transient protected per MIL-STD 1275.

About the Author

Jack Browne

Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.