BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Everything technical about radio can be discussed here, whether it's transmitting or receiving. Guides, charts, diagrams, etc. are all welcome.
User avatar
Zozo
tower block dreamin
tower block dreamin
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:33 am
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun

BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by Zozo » Sat May 15, 2021 11:28 am

So I've been working on an amplifier design using the "good old" BLF245 which is probably not the best choice of device with what's available today. However it has phenomenal gain, and was a very good device in it's day along with it's baby brother the "BLF244"

The main goal here was to at-least have a nice companion to go with the exciter board I put together. It may only be "QRP", but some of us like to run those levels of power.

I will probably still need to tweak some area's of the design before I order the first sample PCB, but here's the current design so far, which is subject to change. The use of mask-less "Meander" coils are perhaps a good choice to allow me to add shorting bars if needed, which can then be changed for the final run of PCB's.

Some of you with a keen eye will notice the amplifier contains many parts which have been "cherry picked" from other designs.

As before this will be an "Open Source" project with all Project / Gerber files available for download.

Any design suggestions welcome.
Z30BL.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Give me a AM transmitter with things that glow any day.

User avatar
Zozo
tower block dreamin
tower block dreamin
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:33 am
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by Zozo » Sat May 15, 2021 11:29 am

Bottom side of PCB
Z30BLB.JPG
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Give me a AM transmitter with things that glow any day.

MiXiN
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 612
Joined: Sun Sep 07, 2014 4:20 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by MiXiN » Sat May 15, 2021 2:22 pm

Looks great mate, especially if the BLF245 can be sourced cheaply.

The most inexpensive I've found is circa £25, but that's not too bad for 30W.

I'm a massive fan of your recent projects, and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product. :tup

User avatar
Zozo
tower block dreamin
tower block dreamin
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:33 am
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by Zozo » Sat May 15, 2021 3:32 pm

Thank you MiXiN, that's very nice of you to say regarding the projects. Speaking of which, this was something I started a few weeks back that I've been keen to get finalized. I have to get one project fully complete before I can really get committed into another "I think it's an OCD Issue".

I'm not sure how much interest this design maybe to people, but It's a possible option for anyone who may have a odd BLF245 kicking around doing nothing.
Give me a AM transmitter with things that glow any day.

radium98
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 907
Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 7:01 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by radium98 » Sat May 15, 2021 7:27 pm

great thank you .

zulu53
who u callin ne guy bruv
who u callin ne guy bruv
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:45 am

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by zulu53 » Mon May 17, 2021 3:36 pm

Nice work PCB Zozo. I look forward to seeing BLF245 being tested.

User avatar
sinus trouble
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 1410
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:34 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by sinus trouble » Mon May 17, 2021 11:49 pm

Nice neat layout ZoZo :)

Ive never used the BLF245 but i have used the BLF244 many times and its a great little device!

You could add SWR protection but i really dont think its necessary! Stick it on a chunky heatsink and it will be virtually bullet proof! :)
I am as stupid as I look! :|

User avatar
teckniqs
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 3176
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:37 am

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by teckniqs » Tue May 18, 2021 4:08 am

I've had about 30w out of a BLF244 in the past so this should probably be good for up to about 50w with a little bit of tweaking (opening out coils etc)...

User avatar
Zozo
tower block dreamin
tower block dreamin
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:33 am
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by Zozo » Tue May 18, 2021 9:19 pm

Thanks everyone for the comment's. I think I'm nearly there with the design. I did consider adding S.W.R. protection, but I think as Sinus mentioned it should be ok will a nice chunky heatsink. Going from memory, I'm sure the BLF245 is capable of withstanding a 30:1 continues mismatch without any permanent degradation of the device.

Hopefully the fuse will blow if there's any serious mismatch in the feeder or antenna, as the source to drain current will likely increase. I will have to monitor the current in both perfect and less than perfect conditions, and then select the appropriate fuse value. The point at-which the fuse does fail, it will at-least kill all power to the exciter board too.

I'm sure techniqs is absolutely correct that the BLF245 can possibly achieve more power than what I quoted, but I thought it best to underestimate it's performance, rather than be a disappointing overestimation.

I will be ordering the sample PCBs at the weekend, so sometime around the week after I will have something more to share with you all. Plus that gives me a few more day's to spot any error's I may have overlooked. :roll:
Give me a AM transmitter with things that glow any day.

zulu53
who u callin ne guy bruv
who u callin ne guy bruv
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:45 am

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by zulu53 » Wed May 19, 2021 12:20 am

It is nice to hear that some Necks have great experience with BLF244, a younger brother of BLF245. I guess that theirs amplifiers were based on the "old wire wound coil" method.

Given that (i) some of us may have some low to medium power RF Mosfet transistors laying around, (ii) application notes from the manufacturers are very hard to find for FM band and (iii) PCB facilities are not easily available for everyone, I would appreciate if Sinus trouble,Teckniqs and others could please share theirs old fashion circuit designs.

User avatar
Zozo
tower block dreamin
tower block dreamin
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:33 am
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by Zozo » Thu Jun 03, 2021 10:37 am

[UPDATE]

The samples finally arrived this morning, I opted for the more cheaper and slower delivery service. At first glance they look to be all ok, I'll get round to population it with components soon.

More to follow soon.
20210603_103255.jpg
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Give me a AM transmitter with things that glow any day.

User avatar
sinus trouble
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 1410
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:34 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by sinus trouble » Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:21 am

zulu53 wrote: Wed May 19, 2021 12:20 am I would appreciate if Sinus trouble,Teckniqs and others could please share theirs old fashion circuit designs.
In my experience? The 175Mhz test circuit worked fine! Increasing the LC component values slightly gives a better response.

Ofcourse you will need to add a LPF to be safe.

I will see if i have some pics? It wont help much with design? But is a basic visual aid! :)
I am as stupid as I look! :|

User avatar
sinus trouble
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 1410
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:34 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by sinus trouble » Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:50 am

Excellent work ZoZo!! :)

It will be great to see how it performs!

I was thinking of designing a 'Generic' PA PCB based on the TO-220 package FETs? The main goal would be to able to switch out parts covering the B2 and B1 spectrum?

The power is not really a concern, 10 to 20 watt would be more than enough!
I am as stupid as I look! :|

User avatar
sinus trouble
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 1410
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:34 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by sinus trouble » Fri Jun 04, 2021 1:20 am

Just another little Mod you could do?

You could substitute the 7812 for a 7824 and use a 24v fan? Which in turn may reduce dissipation?
I am as stupid as I look! :|

User avatar
teckniqs
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 3176
Joined: Thu Aug 21, 2014 11:37 am

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by teckniqs » Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:08 am

sinus trouble wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 1:20 am Just another little Mod you could do?

You could substitute the 7812 for a 7824 and use a 24v fan? Which in turn may reduce dissipation?
That's a good idea but with 24v supply into 24v regulator the voltage will (as you know) be less than 24v unless 7824 has around 24+2v going in.

....So if main supply voltage is at least 26v that should be fine, it's a 28v device anyway so will be OK. :tup

MiXiN
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 612
Joined: Sun Sep 07, 2014 4:20 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by MiXiN » Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:02 am

Looking forward to watching the progress, ZoZo.

Those boards look great by the way!

User avatar
mpx
no manz can test innit
no manz can test innit
Posts: 249
Joined: Mon Dec 23, 2019 9:49 am

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by mpx » Fri Jun 04, 2021 11:16 am

These sound like they might be good for a battery/solar installation. With an efficiency estimate of 50%, current draw should be about 2.5A at 24V

User avatar
sinus trouble
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 1410
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:34 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by sinus trouble » Sun Jun 06, 2021 12:06 am

teckniqs wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 9:08 am
sinus trouble wrote: Fri Jun 04, 2021 1:20 am Just another little Mod you could do?

You could substitute the 7812 for a 7824 and use a 24v fan? Which in turn may reduce dissipation?
That's a good idea but with 24v supply into 24v regulator the voltage will (as you know) be less than 24v unless 7824 has around 24+2v going in.

....So if main supply voltage is at least 26v that should be fine, it's a 28v device anyway so will be OK. :tup
Yeh True! The voltage margin is pretty tight and i can see why some would prefer a 24V supply. :)
I am as stupid as I look! :|

MiXiN
proppa neck!
proppa neck!
Posts: 612
Joined: Sun Sep 07, 2014 4:20 pm

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by MiXiN » Fri Jul 09, 2021 7:42 am

Zozo,

Did you get around to building one, and if so, how did it perform?

User avatar
Zozo
tower block dreamin
tower block dreamin
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2021 9:33 am
Location: 3rd rock from the Sun

Re: BLF245 Linear Amplifier

Post by Zozo » Fri Jul 09, 2021 10:05 am

Thank you to everyone that has replied, and keeping this thread active with feedback and comments. I've had sometime away whilst dealing with other things that have been keeping me very busy.

I never finished populating the board with all of it's components, but I did make a start before I was pulled away from this project.

As you can see from the picture below, there's still a few vital components to be fitted.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Give me a AM transmitter with things that glow any day.

Post Reply