The basic qualification with honours and the use of amplifiers
There is little that causes more confusion than ISED's rules regarding amplifiers and the basic qualification with honours.
Actually the confusion comes from the use of different ways we use to describe the same maximum power. Referring to RBR-4 below lets look at section 10.1 (b).
10.1(b)i says 560w peak, 10.1(b)ii says 190w carrier...these are in reality the same power output. To measure PEP output one would need to look at the signal on an oscilloscope or equivalent, across a 50 ohm load. This will require an instrument that can withstand a signal of approx 475 v p-p. Luckily we can also use a simple rf wattmeter and using our radios tune function, set the transmitter(exciter) drive to produce a 190watt power level on a wattmeter installed at the output of the amplifier, again into a 50 ohm load. Then, switch the radio to SSB and operate as normal.
BE AWARE ---those with the basic and honours qualification are not in compliance with the regulations if you set the amplifier output to 560 watts using a wattmeter into a 50 ohm load.
10.1(a) is indeed an alternative, however few are capable of performing the measurement, it can be dangerous due to the power involved and would likely require the defeating of a safety interloc.
RBR-4 — Standards for the Operation of Radio Stations in the Amateur Radio Service
10. Restrictions on Capacity and Power Output The transmitting power of an amplifier installed at an amateur station shall not be capable of exceeding by more than 3 dB the transmitting power limits described in this section.
10.1 Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification The holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification is limited to a maximum transmitting power of: (a) where expressed as direct-current input power, 250 W to the anode or collector circuit of the transmitter stage that supplies radio frequency energy to the antenna; or (b) where expressed as radio frequency output power measured across an impedance-matched load, (i) 560 W peak envelope power for transmitters that produce any type of single sideband emission, or (ii) 190 W carrier power for transmitters that produce any other type of emission.
The next bit of english which causes confusion is as follows.
Technical 1.I am the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate. May I install and use a RF/Linear Power Amplifier with the operation of my station? As per section 10.0 of the document RBR-4: Standards for the operation of radio stations in the Amateur Radio Service, the holder of an Amateur Radio Operator Certificate may install and operate transmitter equipment capable of producing an RF output of no more than twice (3dB) that authorized by their certificate . (Regardless, the operator MAY NOT exceed the maximum RF output levels authorized by their certificate).
This does NOT mean you can now set your amplifier to 380 watts rf output or 560 x 2 = 1120 watts and still be compliant. This part means you cannot USE an amplifier which can do this. You are limited to a amplifier that can output 380 watts max but you are still limited to 190 watts max actual power output according to your qualification.
You will find that few amplifiers meet this requirement. Even an Ameritron ALS-600 still can put out 600 watts which is 220 watts higher than your qualification permits. Any amplifier which was built from a kit which includes ALL heathkit devices are not allowed either as you are limited to "commercially made" equipment.
So whats the solution
Study for and obtain your advanced qualification
Want to run 200 watts....buy a 200 watt transceiver such as the Kenwood TS480HX, among others are good examles of rigs the basic with honours ham can use.
etc etc the following is included just for completeness
4.5 Privileges and restrictions Privileges and restrictions can be found in the Radiocommunication Regulations and in RBR-4. A brief summary follows. 4.5.1 Basic Qualification The following privileges and restrictions are applicable to the Basic Qualification: -access to all amateur bands above 30 MHz -use a maximum of 250 watts DC transmitter input power -build and operate all station equipment, except for “home-made” transmitters (“build” in the context of the Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification is limited to the assembly of commercially available transmitter kits of professional design) -re-programming of radio equipment to operate in the amateur bands if this can be done by a computer program (note that no physical modifications to the circuitry of the radio are permitted) -operation of cross-band repeaters -operation through a repeater established by an amateur with the Advanced Qualification -no remote control of fixed stations permitted regardless of medium used for control (“remote control” is the ability to indirectly manipulate the technical parameters (i.e. bandwidth, emission type, output power, etc.) of a radio by means of some intermediate medium; operation through a repeater is not considered to be remote control) In addition to the above-mentioned privileges and restrictions, the Basic Qualification with Honours (i.e. a score of 80% or above) also allows access to all amateur bands below 30 MHz.
How do you know what qualification a ham has....
That's easy, go to this ISED website and type in that persons callsign, when the page returns click on their callsign, their qualification will be displayed. Amateur Search
