🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <1993Jan12.202208.17471@ecsvax.uncecs.edu> crisp@ecsvax.uncecs.edu 
(Russ Crisp) writes:
>I'm looking for a good quality low noise figure mast mounted
>pre amp for FM broadcast band reception.  Ideally, the unit
>should have 20 or more dB gain, with noise of 3 dB or less.
>Prefer 300 ohm input, and 75 ohm output.  It would be nice to 
>have a tuneable notch filter too, and maybe use GaAs FET's!
>Anyone have any ideas one where I could look for something
>that fits this description?

This should be a pretty trivial design using one of the microwave monolithic
integrated circuits such as those made by Mini-Circuit Labs or Avantec.  A
MCL MAR-6, for example, will cost less than $3 and provide 20 dB of gain at
100 MHz with a NF below 3 dB. It will require two (chip-style is preferred)
coupling capacitors, a resistor, an RF choke, and a power supply to be fully
functional as an RF amplifier.  For 75 ohm input, a 4:1 balun will be needed.

However, you will likely find your reception will be worse with such an
amplifier.  Most FM receivers, even the most expensive models, are very
susceptible to front-end overload.  With such an amplifier, the entire FM
band may turn into nothing but intermodulation products on your receiver.

Have you considered a directional gain antenna?  In your location, strong
signals are very likely from Greenville, Asheville, and (maybe) Knoxville
stations.  If you are trying to listen to a weak, distant station, a better
antenna will do far more than an antenna mounted preamp.  The antenna will
have gain in one direction but nulls off the sides and back.  Positioning
the nulls properly may make all the difference.

					Barry
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|  ___  ________  |    Dr. Barry L. Ornitz          WA4VZQ
| |  / /        | |    Eastman Chemical Company
| | / /         | |    ECC Research Laboratories, Engineering Research Div.
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