doctorbubba010
Learner
Can you exceed manufacturers wattage cap on an antenna? I have a Larsen 27 and it’s rated for up to 200 watts. What would the damage be to push a Texas Star 350? So over the limit? RG58 cable President Lincoln 2+
Can you exceed manufacturers wattage cap on an antenna? I have a Larsen 27 and it’s rated for up to 200 watts. What would the damage be to push a Texas Star 350? So over the limit? RG58 cable President Lincoln 2+
I should have included: Get a quality (best you can afford) watt meter. Test your transmit (while talking) to see how many watts you are actually putting out. And measure your SWR with a quality (best you can afford) SWR meter. You didn't tell us what your SWR is.
As @russbrill said, you will burn up (not only) your antenna, but you're amp,radio, and possibly the coax itself. (FWIW: on any rig I've ever used an amp with, I've had the output power reduced, specifically so I don't burn up the amp. Sure I don't get the max output of the amp, but the amp & radio last for years.)
If the antenna can't handle the power If it fries, it starts sending all the power back to the amp & radio (This is why, when running an amp, you want the lowest possible SWR, so the reflected power doesn't burn up everything.)
The Wilson 1000 is a good antenna, especially if you require mag mount. Another note is that if you are running a mag mount + amp; your paint may burn/discolor; if the pain bubbles, it may reduce your bond to the car, increasing your SWR, sending more power back to the amp/radio...
How do you know if it’s “burnt up” does it happen instantly or over time?
The Wilson 1000 and Wilson 5000 series base-loaded antennas come in "through the roof" mount varieties. You need to enlarge the 3/4 inch hole to 7/8 inch to accommodate the Wilson through-the-roof mount.I’m through roof with a 3/4 NMO mount.
I am actively looking to replace with a higher wattage rated antenna.