2 m.

Band VHF Antenna Pre-Ampilfier

I had worked manytimes MIR Space Station (good old days!) and ISS nowadays, with this circuit as
antenna pre-amp and a simple 4 Elements HomeBrew VHF Yagi, always with excellent results.
I'm using also that as Antenna pre-amp for LEO Satellites (Mode-B), where the DownLink is into the
VHF Band (145.9 - 146.00 MHz).

The "Green line" on FIG.2 it's a "shield" of tin-can material or small pieces of PCB between inputoutput . This piece of shield except the isolation it is necessary in order to be able to conduct the two
opposite "Ground - tracks" on PCB ( GND A - main ground track and GND-B track).
You must be careful with shield and T1-Gate PCB track ! The shield (point "A" as shown in FIG.2) is a
few millimeters above T1-Gate "PCB-track" without solder at this point
( see FIG.3 for details).
It is possible to solder the pre-amp with the same tin-can material (or small pieces of PCB) on every
side of PCB. This way we can make an RF-proof box by using as base the PCB of VHF pre-amplifier. The
main PCB is "single-side" for simplicity, so the bottom shield (if used) is necessary to abstain at least
5mm from PCB's surface.
The PCB's arrangement looks like unusual with the opposite Ground-tracks and "link". If you
wondering why not a normal "continued GND-track" around components but this unusual design, the
answer is simple: sometimes on VHF the PCB is very critical and usually it's the main source for various
problems. Looking for a "single-side" PCB, which is easier contruction than a double-side PCB, I found

after experiments that singularity with opposite GND-tracks connected by a "shield-plate" over T1 is
"shot of" unwanted Ground-paths, offering an easy construction without problems and feedback during
the operation. Repeating the construction many times, the result was always perfect, without
problems. That is very important on a project, especially if that working on VHF area.

This type of VHF Pre-amp has a maximum gain of about 20 DB (depend on T1).
The Gain of my pre-amp is about 12-14 dB with input filter and output attenuator, but it's very
"quiet" with excellent "Noise Figure", providing a very clean signal and that improving the weak
signals. I think that its more important from a high amplification pre-amp.
The resistors R4-R5-R6 built-in a "PI" attenuation network in the circuit output ( Loss about 1 DB or
greater - see table below). I have used this network for stabillity and good "50 Ohms" termination with
the next stage, but on the other hand this network increasing a bit the noise level of the next stage,
especially in case which the PI-attenuator is 3 dB or greater. Actually, if you are 100% sure about the

stability of the next stage and you are looking for the maximum amplification with the best S/N, just
remove the 3 resistors and take the output directly from C3 capacitor (not recommended). On the
other hand, if you want greater attenuation (3 - 6 Db), the table below giving the values for R4, 5 & R6
in Ohms.
The Gain also depend on the coupling between L1-L2, but when these coils have bigger space between
each other, the tuning curve is much-more sharpness.
Keep in mind :
the BF981 Dual Gate MosFet is made for VHF antenna pre-amplifiers up to 200 MHz, offering excellent
NF (Noise Figure), better than 1 dB (0.7 typical !!!) as describes the PHILIPS's DataSheet (see PDF
below for details if you don't believe me !). In order to achieve this value, the current-flow through
BF981 must be about 10mA. Thus, in order to adjust the circuit for the oprimum current, it is
nessecary to remove the R3 and replaced it with a variable resistor (trimmer) 100 Ohms. Starting
with maximum resistance on trimmer, with a mA-meter in series with +Vc (between R7-DZ Zener and
C7), reduce smooth & slowly the trimmer's value till the optimum readout of 10 mA on meter-scale.
After the adjustment, disconnect the Voltage supply & measure the value of trimmer. Then find
a carbon resistor with equal resistance of preset-trimmer and solder this permanently (as R3). Before
soldering cut the legs of resistor as short as possible (1mm).
Another important point is the Voltage between G2 & GND, must be 4 V for best NF in case which the
+Vc is 10 Volts. On my circuit this quota is real, the R1-R2 divider gives the 40% of + Vc into G2, but
that depend on the BF981 and your choise. However, you can modify the R1 & R2 divider for the
otimum voltage feeding of G2 .
(* Of course all that, without input RF-signal on pre-amp !)
For the best NF (Noise Figure) it's important the carefully tuning of CTs. Depend on the knowledge of
constructor and the available Instruments on Shack, this VHF pre-amp gives a NF around to 1 DB. In
addition, a small Hi-Q trimmer (optional) in series with Antenna, connected between central conductor
of BNC-Input and TAP of L1, helps to achieve best "quietness" on receiving signal. Also is possible to
vary the TAP on L1 between 1st and 2nd turn, till the best adjustment.
Of course, for Satellite use you must place the pre-amp as close as possible to your antenna (and not
in the shack), with the necessary "change-over" relays. If you forgot it, the difference is: if the preamp is placed into the Shack and your Coaxial cable between transceiver and antenna has a Loss of
about 3 DB, these "3DB" is added in the NF of pre-amp and the NF now is 3 (coaxial) + 1 (pre-amp) =
4 DB !
So, down, into the Shack and "Noisy" or Up to antenna and "Clear"?
Sometimes, on similar units is possible to occur unwanted effects widely known as "Feedback" or
"paracitic oscillations". This circuit, with this PCB did not have similar problems. However, the "parasitic
oscillation" on a VHF pre-amp is possible to prevent as follow:
1) put a 50-100 Ohms small resistor (0.25W) in series with G2. Both legs of resistor should be
decoupled with GND by using 1nF SMD capacitors.
2) if the effect remains, then put a small ferrite bead (FB) through G2's leg, close to T1 body.
3) nothing yet? put a resistor 5 Ohms in series with Drain of T1, close to T1 body.
4) your last choise to prevent the "parasitic oscillation": put a ferrite bead through "Drain" leg of T1.
This method works 100%, but is unknown the action of FB on the circuit-response and in any case I
don't agree with that. (When is absolutely necessary, try that).
5) Have you still "feedback"? The final solution: put your VHF pre-amp in.... garbage (Hi Hi)!

Finally, I think this type of VHF pre-amp is excellent. The BF981 has low enough NF for VHF

applications, without the necessity of use rare GasFet or HEMT components. Another advantage of
BF981 is the low price and is commonly available on the majority of Electronic shops.
Since the environment's "noise level" on VHF band is high enough compared with UHF band, the NFvalue of BF981 it covers 100% the requirements of Low-Orbit Satellites and it's unconditionally proposed as VHF antenna pre-amp.

PCB of pre-amp with Coils and trimmers before the final construction

Another version of Pre-amp with simpler "input filter" (just one LC)

Old version of Pre-amp with RCA 40673 in place of BF981

Part List
T1 = BF981 (PHILIPS or TELEFUNKEN, avoid "No-NAME")
CT = trimmers 4-20 pF (Good Quality)
R1 = 82 K / 0.25 W (carbon)
R2 = 56 K / 0.25 W (carbon)
R3 = see text
R4, R6 & R5 = see Table below
R7 = 100 Ohm / 0.25 W (carbon)
C1 - C2 - C4 - C6 = 1nF SMD (or Trapezoidal-Ceramic)
C3 = 1nF / 63 V SM or ceramic
C5 = 10 uF / 16 V
C7 = 1nF (Feedthrough capacitor)
DZ = 10V / 1W Zener diode
L1 (air coil) = 6 turns, 1mm Silvered wire, length= 11 mm,
TAP. 1 1/2 turn from GND (cool-end), internal diam. = 6.3 mm

L2 = like L1 without TAP

L3 (air coil) = 5 turns, 1 mm Silvered wire, length 9 mm,
TAP. 1 1/4 turn from +VCC, internal diam.= 6.3 mm
"Pi" Attenuation Network Values
ATT.

R4 & R6

R5

1 DB =>

820

5,6

3 DB =>

270

18

6 DB =>

150

39

All resistors in OHMS / 0,25 W

2 Meter GaAs FET Preamp

NOTE:
The NE25339 (3SK206) device is a close match but in the
Surface Mount package. Most vendors have gone to SMT
and the board layout above will need to be "flipped" left to
right" in order to use the new package.

When ordering specify NE25339 U79 for an IDss of 45 to 80mA.

This will give the best IP3 and N.F.

U310 FET preamplifier

This FET preamplifier has been around for almost 25 years. It is extremely reliable and can handle
several watts directly into either the input or the output without failure. Noise figure is typically around
1 db and gain is about 13 db. It is unconditionally stable. It is also very re-produceable. Layout is not
critical but it should follow the schematic in layout fashion. It is also wise to put it in an enclosure.
Noise figure bottoms out in the U310 from 12 to 18 mA which is between 1.0 and 1.5 db typically up to
144 MHz, and about 1.8 db a 222 MHz, which are all you really need for virtually all terrestrial
applications. EME is a different story. Output compression point is about +12 dbm. The U310 is the top
of the line in it's family. It's in a metal can where the gate is the case. The E310,309 & 308 will give a
much worse noise figure. I usually mount them upside down for a shorter gate lead but you don't have
to do that. Alignment is simple: set input capacitor mid range for 28 & 50 MHz and near maximum for
144 & 222 MHz and tune the output for max gain. That will put you very close to optimal alignment. A
noise figure meter will help but it isn't really needed in most cases as you will be close. In cases where
you want to put a great little preamplifier in your favorite radio merely build this critter on a very small
board and use hard soldered coaxial cables for the interfaces. I have built them as small as 3/4 inch
square.
For your info, I only use U310 preamplifiers on all bands from 50 thru 222 MHz for terrestrial weak
signal operating. When used in conjunction with good band pass filters you can bring any good radio up
to its best sensitivity withour blasting it with 24 db gain from a GaAs FET preamplifier. Your radio won't
handle that much gain anyway. Stick with the 12 db gain and you will be much happier with your
systems performance. These FET preamplifiers are very forgiving to accidental over-drive. They will
handle at least 3 watts CW to the input and 25 watts directly into the output without damage
(amazing).

frequen
cy

C in

Input
Inductor

Output
Inductor

C
out

Capdrain

Bypass
cap

RFC

28 MHz

1560p

50 MHz 7-25p

20 turns T25-6 24 turns T25-6

#30
#30

10p

1-10p

.01
10
micro F micro H

13 turns T25-6 16 turns T25-6

3.6p
#30
#30

1-10p

2700p

5 micro
H

144 MHz 3-15p

5 turns #18,
1/4" dia

5 turns #18,
1/4" dia

2p

1-10p

200p 300p

2 micro
H

222 MHz 1-10p

3 turns #18,
1/4" dia

3 turns #18,
1/4" dia

2p

1-10p

100p

1 micro
H

Minimizing receiver system noise figure:

Now that we know the magnitude of the noise emanating from the receive system's
environment, we should consider the other major source of thermal noise: The receive
equipment itself. While we can't really control the noise from the environment, we can design a
receive system that does not add to it and unnecessarily degrade the system.
When determining "receiver performance" it is worth little to consider just one or two individual
components, rather it is absolutely necessary to take into account the entire signal path and
hence, we calculate it all as a receiver system. There are several things that degrade the

performance of any receiver system from one that is "perfect" and these include:
Antenna noise temperature. For the most part this is dictated by what the antenna is
"looking" at (e.g. outer space or the surface of the Earth.)
Antenna losses. Every antenna has losses of its own - typically in the matching network
and the coaxial connector.
Feedline losses. There's likely some sort of feedline connecting the antenna to the
preamplifier stage and its losses contribute directly to the system's performance.
Preamplifier noise figure. Any signal amplifier will have its own intrinsic noise that it
contributes to the system. Modern GaAsFET amplifiers typically have a noise figure of
less than 1 dB.
Preamplifier gain. In order for a preamplifier to be useful, it must boost the signal. The
more it boosts the signal, the more its output signal can overcome the losses and noise
figure of those elements of the receiving system that follow it.
Post-preamp losses. Usually, one will have a length of coax and some
connectors after the preamplifier in order to connect the preamplifier to the receiver.
Receiver noise figure. The receiver itself will have a noise figure that will degrade the
system performance.
Typically, a high-performance receive system will have a low-noise preamplifier in front of the
receiver and for the most part, the performance of the receive system is set by the performance
of this preamplifier and the losses that are between the preamplifier and the antenna.
One common misconception is that a low-noise preamplifier will cure all woes if it is installed
in the system. What is often not realized is that with modern preamplifiers (those that have
noise figures of under 1 DB) it is not necessarily the performance of the preamplifier that limits
receiver system performance, but the performance of the system is limited by those losses in
front of the preamplifier.
Take, for example, a hypothetical preamp that has a 0 dB noise figure. If that preamplifier is
connected to the antenna (assuming a "perfect" antenna) via a piece of coax with 0.5 dB of loss
through a bandpass cavity that has 1.0 dB of loss (for a total loss of 1.5 dB) then we have just
created a system that has an equivalent noise figure of 1.5 dB: That is, every dB of loss
preceding the preamp contributes to a noise figure increase of a dB!
What's worse is that once this "1.5 dB" is lost forever, the increase in noise cannot be recovered
- no matter how good the preamp may be or how high gain it is! Why is this? All of these
losses are subject to the laws of thermodynamics and are resistive and/or dielectric and therefore
"generating" noise energy.

The GaAsFET preamplifiers:

The preamplifiers used on the Panorama Point receive system are
homebrew, built in 1997, using the Mitsubishi MGF1302 GaAsFET - a nowobsolete device capable of a typical noise figure of 0.4-0.7 dB on 2 meters.
These preamplifiers are designed to have about 18 dB of gain (an
"amplification factor" of 63) so we can tolerate the inevitable intrinsic noise
of our receiver as well as additional losses after the preamplifier and it is
assumed for the purposes of these discussions that this preamp has a
conservative noise figure of 0.8 dB. For the Panorama Point receive system,
the losses in the coax and connectors following the preamp is about 1 dB,
yielding an equivalent total system gain of 17 dB (an amplification factor of
50) prior to the receivers.
These preamplifiers are built into small die-cast aluminum cases with BNC
connectors and a feedthrough capacitor for power for a cost of $20-$25 each
in materials. The original circuit found in a late-80's ARRL Radio Amateur
Handbook was modified to reduce gain (from the original design's 24 dB)
and to improve stability by using a simple 100 ohm resistor (R2) to decouple

the drain circuit from the power supply rather than the traditional tuned
circuit or 4:1 balun. This gain reduction was done primarily to prevent
overload of the receiver as the gain exhibited by this amplifier (18 dB)
is more than adequate to override the intrinsic noise of the receivers
enough to assure that the received antenna noise and preamp performance
was the limiting factor in system performance. In later testing, it was
observed that it takes about 6 dB of additional attenuation after the
preamp before the system sensitivity begins to measurably degrade.

Performance of the Panorama Point receive

system:
For the reasons mentioned above, the preamplifiers on the Panorama Point receive system are
mounted directly to the antennas. It is expected that the losses incurred by this configuration are
below 0.25 dB (a typical antenna value) taking into account losses in the matching network of
the antenna itself plus those of the adapters used.
Comment: We know that the losses of these antenna/matching networks are quite low owing to
the fact that one of these same type of antennas is used for transmitting and when we dump 300
watts into them, they don't burst into flame or otherwise get hot!
The receiver itself has its own noise figure, but the sensitivity of FM communications receivers
is typically measured in terms of 12 dB SINAD for a given number of microvolts. While it is
not particularly easy to quantify the performance of an FM system in terms of noise figure,
typical values can be determined and it turns out that a modern receiver with a 15 kHz IF
bandwidth and a sensitivity of 0.15 uV for 12 dB SINAD (3 kHz deviation of a 1 kHz tone) has
an equivalent noise figure of approximately 5.7 dB - and this noise figure adds slightly to the
overall noise figure of the system. See figure 3 for a chart that approximately equates receiver
sensitivity with noise figure.
So, taking into account these numbers:
Antenna losses: 0.25 dB (Note that this does NOT take into account thermal noise from
the environment!)
Preamp noise figure: 0.8 dB (59K noise temperature)
Preamp gain: 18 dB
Post-preamp cable losses: 1 dB
Receiver noise figure: 5.7 dB (788K equivalent noise temperature)
Now, to crunch numbers:

 0.25 dB (ant losses) + 0.8 dB (preamp noise figure) = 1.05 dB (equivalent "Preamp +
antenna" noise figure) This 1.05 dB noise figure equates to a "noise temperature" of 79K.
Overall preamp gain + cable losses = 17 dB, yielding an "amplification factor" of 50.
Effect of preamplifier gain on the "dilution" of the receiver's noise: 788K (receiver noise)
/ 50 (amplification factor) = 15.76K contribution of the receiver itself (about 0.23 dB in
terms of "noise figure")
Total receiver system noise: 79K + 15.76K = 94.76K - let's round that up to 95K which is
equivalent to a noise figure of about 1.23 dB.

For details of how noise temperatures, amplifier gains, and system losses add up, or for a
link to an online calculator that converts to/from noise figure and noise temperature, see
the links at the bottom of the page.

As can be seen, the fact that the preamp (plus coax losses) has significant amplification
(50x amplification of the signal) means that the intrinsic noise of the receiver itself
contributes only about 10% to
Approx.
12 dB
Approx.
the overall system noise and 12 dB
SINAD
Noise
Figure
SINAD
Noise
therefore it is the
Sensitivity
(dB)
Sensitivity
Figure (dB)
preamplifier's noise figure that
0.1 uV
3.4
0.3 uV
10.7
plays the major part in setting
4.6
0.4 uV
13.1
overall system performance. 0.125 uV
0.15 uV

5.7

0.5 uV

14.9

7.6
0.75 uV
18.4
It should also be noted that if 0.2 uV
our preamplifier had
0.25 uV
9.2
1.0 uV
20.8
even more gain (let's assume
Fig. 3 - This table shows approximate equivalents of receiver
that it had an infinite amount sensitivity (12 dB SINAD, 1 kHz modulation, 3 kHz deviation, 15
kHz bandwidth) with receive system noise figure.
of gain) OR if our receiver
(This information derived from data published by E.F. Johnson
had a zeronoise figure of its
Corp. as well as my own empirical testing of radio gear.)
own instead of the 4dB
mentioned, we would only lower the "noise temperature" of our receive system by only
15.76K - or about 0.23 dB!

If our system noise temperature is, in fact, 95K (a noise figure of about 1.23 dB) that
would equate to a thermal noise voltage of about 0.031 uV. Because we already know
that the intrinsic sensitivity of any terrestrially-based system can be, at best, 0.09
microvolts (because of the fact that the Earth is, in our example, at 300K) we now know
that our receive system's sensitivity exceeds this by about 9.3 dB and this means that the
0.031 uV noise will have relatively little effect on a 0.09 microvolt signal. Bench testing
with signal generators and attenuators (which are at about 300K and are contributing their
own thermal noise) shows that the actual sensitivity of the receive system is, in fact, 0.09
uV for a 12 dB SINAD.

144 MHz Preamp Gain> 24dB e figura de rudo de

0,22 dB com um MGF1302
Para eliminar as perdas coaxiais deve ser usado. pr-amplificador
adequado Claro, voc pode comprar um exemplo de SSB Eletrnica
mas que custa muito dinheiro. A construo em si muito mais
divertido e educativo!
tenho sido no passado, vrios projetos recriada incluindo um BF199,
40168, BFY90, BF900 e que era basicamente nada. No entanto,
tambm ganhar um monte de rudo extra a partir do prprio pramplificador. Se voc estivesse sintonizado numa parte em branco que
tinha S5 rudo .... tudo merda. Eu tambm tinha visto projetos com fets
caras que quase no estavam disponveis, mas vrios ontewerpen com
MGF1302 que custa 5 euros ... no podemos multar a experimentar e
se deu errado que no era um tal de dreno na bolsa de valores.
Eu, como previsto pelos "besouros mortos ou construo de ar" mtodo
feitas. Netter de um PCB, mas a experincia a construo de ar
extremamente til e voc pode ver tudo de construo muito
compacta e, portanto, capacidade indesejveis de fios longos
minimizar.
Tenho dois projetos juntos, apenas por diverso, os projetos tambm
funcionou bem. . uma combinao de design e PA0JMV DF9CY
O pr-amplificador ajustado e medido a Hans PA0EHG e deu um
ganho de 24,2 dB com uma figura de rudo de 0,22 dB. Dicas para DIY
com MGF1302: Note que voc construir tudo o mais compacto
possvel. Fios curtos e arrumado com o mnimo de solda. O caixa
utilizado foi comprado em um mercado de pulgas e continha um
estabilizador que eu tenho desligado. Caixa bonita com conector 2x N
e impermevel. acordo com os projetos, a tenso de dreno com um
7805 e um potencimetro fixado em cerca de 4,5 volts. Isto deu-lhe
mais de 20 dB de ganho, mas tambm uma figura de rudo de 0,5
dB ... em si mesmo muito bem. No entanto, ao diminuir a tenso para
2,9 volts eu tenho 24,2 dB e 0,22 dB figura de rudo. Em uma segunda
verso que eu tenho a 7805 substitudo por um LM317 e drenar fixado
em 1,2 volts! Na foto, a tenso de cerca de 12 volts temporariamente
ligadas por um fio de alimentao. Na prtica, a tenso atravs do
cabo coaxial, dentro de usar uma bobina ( esquerda na foto) como
usual na LNB satlite.