Opinion on the MIRAGE 144/440 MHz Dual Band VHF/UHF Amplifier ?

[mjz55]

I wanted this for my dual band ht in the car. Does anyone have one? Would you recommend a different brand?

 

[davedaver1]

Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of brand choices. You should sift around the net for reviews before taking the plunge on MFJ/Mirage.

 

[KG4NEL]

My vote would be to hunt for a used RFConcepts dual band amp (model# RFC 2/70).

Not common, but they're out there...and RFC stuff is built like tanks.

 

[mjz55]

Just a thought. Would a VHF only work with a dualband? I really don't care about the boost on UHF. Maybe I could turn it off when using UFH?

 

[davedaver1]

Just a thought. Would a VHF only work with a dualband? I really don't care about the boost on UHF. Maybe I could turn it off when using UFH?

Absolutely!

 

[Ed_Seedhouse]

I've had the little Mirage dual band linear for about a year now and it's performed fine. I found it sometimes went a little odd when I had it sitting on a cement block so I put it on top of the cardboard box it came in and that problem went away. Every once in a while it would stop transmitting but picking it up and putting it back down fixed that. Since I mounted it on the paper box that's rarely happened, and I get fine signal reports. With an antenna in the back yard I am able to reliably work the Sumas Mountain repeater near Abbotsford B.C. from west of Victoria B.C., a distance of about 70 miles, and a number of repeaters in the 50+ mile range in fairly mountainous territory.

Unless you have a lot of 70 cm work I would save money and get the single band 2 meter version if I were purchasing again. You have to buy a power supply along with the amp. I bought an SEC 1223 and it works fine. You could get away with a cheaper supply as you really don't need 20 amps for a 45 watt output.

 

[prcguy]

Generally no because many amplifiers have the low pass filter fixed at the output leg of the TR relay which will roll off any higher bands even when bypassed.

I was interested in the dual band amp for awhile and then read about lots of problems and mostly after MFJ put their name on it.
prcguy

Just a thought. Would a VHF only work with a dualband? I really don't care about the boost on UHF. Maybe I could turn it off when using UFH?

 

[mrweather]

Just a thought. Would a VHF only work with a dualband? I really don't care about the boost on UHF. Maybe I could turn it off when using UFH?

It would if you diplexed the feed coming from the radio, send the VHF leg to the amp and recombine the VHF out from the amp with the "barefoot" UHF feed and send it to the antenna.

 

[gregg22]

I have had no problems with mine and I have had mine over a year

 

[acyddrop]

I avoid MFJ anything, if it can be helped. Though, having said that I still use MFJ remote antenna tuners for 500+ watts and SGC for everything for 500 or below. The only MFJ affiliated amp I own is an Ameritron ALS-500MR which I got at a hamfest to use in my Range Rover, but it's still in the box and unused so I can't comment on it's quality. For what it's worth I can honestly say I've never had any problems with their tuners (so far) but no first hand experience with their amps.

 

[mjz55]

If I went with the VHF only model, which brand(s) would anyone recommend? 12volt.

 

[mjz55]

No suggestions?

 

[N4KVE]

TPL is good.

 

[vagrant]

I have used a RM Italy LA 144 2m amplifier in my vehicle with Baofeng, Yaesu, and Kenwood HT's. No complaints. Solid audio and signal reports for simplex use. Make sure your antenna can handle the wattage whatever you decide on.
Specs:
Input: 0.5-5W
Output: 70W max

Here are my testing results. Yours may vary.
FM
0.5W = 15W
1W = 20W
2.5W = 50W
5W = 70W

 

[prcguy]

I've had quite a few TPL amps and they are well made. There is a PA3 series that take around 1 to 5w in with outputs as high as 120w. Occasionally there are some on Ebay for very good prices but not this week.

Another great amp is the 40w Motorola unit made for the older convertacoms. They are harder to find in the 136-150MHz range for amateur use but they usually go for dirt cheap. I've bought several in the $15 range and one was the 60w or so rated version with N connectors and it actually does about 90w.
prcguy

TPL is good.

 

[KA1NTG]

I picked one up cheap on one of them auction sites, will let you know once I get it here and start testing. From what I've heard there's good ones and dead ones, not much in-between.

 

[mrwilson706]

Mirage BD-34

I've used mine for almost two years, no problems here. Drive it with 1.5 or more watts and you'll be fine. Used mobile and portable, now sitting in my garage serving duty in my digipeater station. 24x7 in fluctuating temperatures with a pretty high duty cycle...no problems at all.

 

[Cowthief]

Hello.

The commercial stuff is nice, but not dual band.
Ever since the narrow banding a lot of VHF and UHF commercial has been showing up ultra cheap.
Get a pair of amps made for Motorola mobile use and a VHF/UHF duplexer to connect on the inputs.
I have a Tokyo Hi Power dual band that I bought cheap, and I love it!
It has a DC out for the talkie and is compact but only around 25 watts out.
Due to its small size it is super easy to carry in a briefcase.
That and a magnet mount with a cigarette lighter adapter is all you need for most contacts.
Look around at the used market.
Thank you.

 

[profiledescent]

A group I belong to uses them at several D-STAR repeater sites. No problems in 5 years other than (we think) a lightening strike getting one.

 

[kayn1n32008]

... my garage serving duty in my digipeater station. 24x7 in fluctuating temperatures with a pretty high duty cycle...no problems at all.

In APRS service the radio/amplifier duty cycle can not be more than 50%.


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