For Sale

Equipment For Sale

Larcan Power Amplifiers, 1.5kW

All are lo-lo models optimized for TV Channels 2-4 and are easily used on 6m, or modified for 2m. They were recently removed from a working TV transmitter.

Shipping in the lower 48 with FedEx. Contact me for worldwide shipping.

Quantities correct as of 09/05/2019

Contact me at n7bhc@drasticom.net to purchase.

LARCAN AMPLIFIER MODULES

The Larcan amplifier modules are removed from Larcan television amplifiers made in Canada. Long appreciated for their ruggedness and simplicity, they are very easy to use on 6m and modify for 2m. With their heritage from television service, they are quite comfortable running at full power at 100% duty cycle, 24/7/365. They can be run at full power in amateur digital modes

The amplifiers are available in 1.5 kW, 1.0 kW, and 600W versions. They are fairly broadband, covering several TV channels. The most common ones seen cover TV lo-band (channels 2-6), and are further sub divided as lo-lo (ch. 2-4) and lo-hi (ch 5-6). Both these versions are pretty much identical, differing by just different value chip capacitors and microstrip jumpers. It is quite easy to switch from one version to another. Both low-band versions are easily modifiable to 2m as well. Lo-lo versions typically can operate on 6m, but do benefit from changing a few capacitors to optimize on 6m. Larcan also make a high band version that works well on 222 MHz.

The Minuteman Repeater Association webpage has a wealth of information on the use and modifications of the 1.0 and 1.5kW amplifiers on 6m and 2m. The 600W maximum version was actually used as the IPA2 driver stage, but it is just half of the 1.0 kW version with simpler power splitter and combiner circuitry. These work very well as medium power amplifiers on 6m and 2m. See the "Files" section of this website for an in depth article on modifying the IPA2 for 2m service. The information was first published and released at the 2018 Central States VHF Society conference. The article goes well beyond the 2m modification, detailing what goes into building a complete amplifier with case, power supply, and W6PQL control modules. The sections about the control circuits and modules are applicable to all versions of the amplifier modules.