My son bought a new mobile HF ham radio that has a maximum transmit power rating of 100 watts. We are trying to understand why the TX input power can be as high as 23 amps at 13.8VDC.
100w / 13.8v is only 7.25 amps. If you add an amp that it draws in RCV mode, you are still looking at about 8.25 amps.
My theory is that the radio's power rating is based on something like 100w audio input power to the final RF amplifier, not the total power output. That would mean the power consumed by the rf final stage would be added to the audio power.
Can someone tell us how exactly the TX power is calculated and why the max current draw is about 3x what would seem to be required?
100w / 13.8v is only 7.25 amps. If you add an amp that it draws in RCV mode, you are still looking at about 8.25 amps.
My theory is that the radio's power rating is based on something like 100w audio input power to the final RF amplifier, not the total power output. That would mean the power consumed by the rf final stage would be added to the audio power.
Can someone tell us how exactly the TX power is calculated and why the max current draw is about 3x what would seem to be required?