You are correct. An antenna tuner (whether built in to a radio or amplifier or external to both) does not change the feed line to antenna matching. What it does do is make the transmitter happy - thinking it is driving a pure 50 ohm resistive load. 73 de W4EEY

The B26 RF-2K+ was a kit too. The boards came fully populated. You just need to add a Raspberry Pi computer, three fans and make the RF Interconnections. See the website at rf-kit.de/ If you built an SB-220 you could build this kit too. And the price is right. Come to the Dayton Hamvention in May. I'll be at the RF-Kit booth with another amplifier that I built. Hope to see you. 73 de W4EEY

You have SB-220's???

Thanks. Yes, I bought my Beckman DVM in 1990 in Munich, Germany. Still going strong. Still accurate too (tested using a DVM calibrator). 73 de W4EEY

@@W4EEY I have a Circuitmate DM25L made by Beckman. Apparently it belonged to Continental Airlines at one point. It has an inspection record sticker on the back that states it was last inspected 5/2/95 by inspector LT 45209. I bought it in a second-hand store in Mesa Az. for 4 dollars. My only regret is they had 2 of them and i only bought the 1. It has served me very well over the years and is still reading spot-on.

Hey Zach - Where in Indiana? We need to find you a local Ham Radio Club. There you will find Old Timers like me that can take you under their wing. Speaking of Old Timers, please check out my website w4eey.com and the Short Stories there. Joe and the Old Timer discuss various Ham Radio topics. 73 de W4EEY

More info about the kit is here: rf-kit.de/ 73 de W4EEY

Thanks! 73 de W4EEY

Yes, a better antenna gives gain on both receive and transmit. Improving your antenna gives the best result. But more power helps in the pile ups! 73 de W4EEY

Designed by Reinhard Forcher in Germany. You can contact him at: info@rf-kit.de It is a very beautiful and functional HF amplifier. I like it a lot. 73 de W4EEY

Thanks! 73 de W4EEY

Thanks for the price update. Is that for an Amp with Antenna Tuner? Does that include shipping? Does that factor in the cost of Dollars to Euros transfer? It is still the most cost effective legal limit LDMOS amplifier available anywhere.

I like mine. Highly recommended. 73 de W4EEY

Thanks for writing! This version of the amp is no longer available but it was a fun project. 73 de W4EEY

Hi Dave - My recommendation for folks seeking this info is to start with the RF-Kit website (rf-kit.de/) and then join the RF-Kit Group (b26-pa.groups.io/g/main). A wealth of info between the two sites. I have a new RF-Kit S Amplifier on Order (the latest version) and I will use your checklist when I shoot a video about it - and contrast it with the original amplifier. So stay tuned! Thanks for writing es 73 de W4EEY

I don't think it is needed. The filter efficiency and match is good as it sits. I doubt you could ever hear the difference in real world application. 73 de W4EEY

You are very welcome. 73 de W4EEY

Super glue does wonders! 73 de W4EEY

@@W4EEY haha!! We sat here and were like wait he hasnt blinked yet! I love the sense of humor and your knowledge! Its great when the magic smoke stays in! Its tough to put it back hah!

This amp is no longer available from RF-Kit.de. There is a new model the 2K-S which is redesigned and uses PIN diode switching for transmit-receive. The kit is available in the USA from DX Engineering: www.dxengineering.com/parts/rfk-rf2k-s-kt Download the instructions from RF-Kit. I think you could build it yourself (maybe with a friends help): rf-kit.de/index.php/docu and view the description: rf-kit.de/ 73 de W4EEY

Well, if I can do it - you can do it too! Best regards - Gary

It uses a switching power supply (multi voltage input) so it will work on 110VAC - but with a limitation of 800 watts output. 73 de W4EEY

Dear EL - The amplifier kit came from these folks: rf-kit.de/ Note that the amp I built is no longer available. Instead there is a newer version, the Model S. The first batch of these amps has been sent now to the USA from Germany. The amps are available in the U.S. exclusively from DX Engineering: www.dxengineering.com/parts/rfk-rf2k-s-kt The Raspberry Pi and Arduino programming is by a gentleman in Germany. I don't know his full name and callsign (just his first name: Knut). 73 de W4EEY

This version of the amplifier is no longer available. Would need to find a ham selling one. The new version is here: www.dxengineering.com/parts/rfk-rf2k-s-kt but it is not yet available. 73 de W4EEY

An Amplifier with the antenna tuner is around Euros 3,000.00. Send an email to Reinhard@rf-kit.de to get a current price including shipping to your QTH. 73 de W4EEY

Mohammed Buti 3,436$ dollars

The RF-Kit.de amplifier (RF 2K+) that I purchased back in June 2017 uses the BLF188 LDMOS Output devices. The current units use the BLF189 from Ampleon (I believe this is a correct link for info: www.rfmw.com/Products/Detail/BLF189XRAU-Ampleon/600481/)

Generally your best value for money would be a tube type amplifier. But if you want to Contest like me, retuning every time you change frequency is a pain. The RF-Kit amplifier in this video is no longer available. A newer version (RF2K-S) is available assembled at Island Amplifier for $5490: islandamplifier.com/product/rf-kit/ You might look at the Mercury Amplifier (the model IIIS). It is $2799 plus shipping. www.km3km.com/mercuryiiis-fully-assembled/ No antenna tuner and rated at only 1200 Watts. A 5 Star rating at E-Ham though: www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=14403 Palstar has the LA-1K amplifier. A friend of mine has one and he loves it: www.palstar.com/en/la1k/ 73 de W4EEY

No longer available (this model). But the newer version can be ordered from DX Engineering in the United States. Link: www.dxengineering.com/parts/rfk-rf2k-s-kt 73 de W4EEY

Around $ 3,000 with the antenna tuner, and $2,500 without (includes shipping to the USA). The amp is priced in Euros, so to get an accurate price send an email to Reinhard in Germany. Reinhard@rf-kit.de or info@rf-kit.de 73 de W4EEY

Nope.

It will work on the 11m band if you know what you are doing. However for warranty purposes id suggest against it.

The version shown in the video is no longer available. But a newer version is (assembled only) from Island Amplifiers. islandamplifier.com/product-category/rf-kit-products/ Price? $ 4.990.00 You guessed it! 73 de W4EEY

I no longer build the amplifiers for others (I built three plus my own). You might go to the B-26 Group here: b26-pa.groups.io/g/main and post an inquiry. I'm sure you could find someone to help out. 73 de W4EEY

No, sorry. The Silver 2K+ is no longer available. But there is a new model, the 2K-S. In the USA it is available from DX Engineering exclusively as an assembled amplifier: www.dxengineering.com/parts/rfk-rf2k-s RF-Kit.de is having the same issue as other manufacturers. Electronic component availability. They can't get the parts they need at the moment - so the DX Engineering webpage shows "Not Available". But it will be. Price for the new assembled version is around $5,000. 73 de W4EEY

Glad you liked it! 73 de W4EEY

Actually two computers :-)

@@W4EEY I wish I had just 1/2 of your knowledge on this stuff. I am still trying to rebuild and upgrade a Drake L7 power supply. But these electrolytic capacitors now days really stink. I am in the process of building a whole new voltage doubler circuit for it. This new transformer is bigger 240v in and 1850v out into the voltage doubler circuit. Waiting on some new 18 diodes @1000v 6 amp each. Have a good day 73's W4DRA

Thanks! 73 de W4EEY

The computers used in Solid State amps are a necessity. The solid state output devices (whether transistors or LDMOS pallets) are susceptible to damage if over driven or if the output bandpass filter is incorrectly selected. Tubes are generally more forgiving in this regard. The RF-Kit Amplifier uses an off the shelf Raspberry Pi as the User and Communications interface and the Arduino as the machine control for the filters and antenna tuner as well as for protection against over drive or high SWR. I think it is a very clever and cost effective way to do it. The key is the software written by Knut, DF9QA. The software updates and revisions over the past year have added improved functionality. I hope for more to come. I operate my station remotely. I need a computer controlled amplifier to make this possible. The RF-Kit B26 RF-2K+ meets my needs. Of course YMMV! 73 de W4EEY