http://n1bug.com/n1debug/ASB_LF_Amp-20171223.jpg

Recall that last week I had increased turns on the output transformer from 3x5 to 3x10. That reduced heating of the FET but did not help to stabilize the PA. It would put 12 to 14W into the antenna before oscillation started.

Today I changed it to 4x10 turns so it is now a 16:1 transformer. This has made a big change! The PA will now put more than 30 watts into the antenna before oscillation starts with 13V on it. For the first time I noticed some slight warming of the transformer. I think it is the core heating up, not the wire.

If I put 19V on it, I briefly see almost 50 watts into the antenna but the transformer becomes hot very quickly and within just 3 or 4 seconds, power begins to drop rapidly.

At this point I guess either:

The core is not suitable material or not big enough...

or

Maybe it needs fewer turns (but this may lead to too much heat in the FET again?) At 30W output with 13V, that FET is already running quite warm with 4x10 turns.

At least I finally found something that makes a change!

73,
Paul N1BUG