How to choose an RF Amplifier?
It depends on your application of course.
By default, always order them with SMA connectors. We don't want to use BNC. For some specialty applications, you might want TNC or N connections.
Here we describe the uses that are mostly used in LIGO.
Some Common Choices
These are in common use in LIGO. They work in the 10-100 MHz band, at least. Not an RF Guru? Then just get one of these.
Model # |
Gain (dB) |
Max (1dB comp) (dBm) |
N.F. (dB) |
Directivity (dB) |
Power Supply (V / mA) |
f_low - f_high (MHz) |
ZHL-2-8 |
35.5 |
30 |
4 |
27 |
24 / 600 |
10 - 1000 |
ZHL-1A |
17.1 |
30 |
8.2 |
12.7 |
24 / 600 |
2 - 500 |
ZHL-3A |
25.3 |
31.7 |
5.3 |
12.5 |
24 / 600 |
0.4 - 150 |
ZHL-32A |
27.4 |
31.5 |
6 |
13 |
24 / 600 |
0.05 - 130 |
ZKL-1R5+ |
40.5 |
18 |
2.9 |
8 |
12 / 115 |
10 - 1500 |
ZFL-500LN |
27 |
8 |
2.9 |
27 |
15 / 60 |
0.1 - 500 |
ZFL-500HLN |
20.7 |
17.1 |
3.9 |
16 |
15 / 110 |
10 - 500 |
ZFL-1000 |
24 |
5 |
3 |
27 |
15 / 60 |
0.1 - 1000 |
ZFL-1000H+ |
34 |
21.1 |
4.7 |
16 |
15 / 160 |
10 - 1000 |
External HowTo Links
Where to Buy Amps
Teledyne Cougar Very pricey, but very good
Wenzel "Quietly the Best"