Worlds longest commerical EME 2 meter FM DX Ancient M2 Beam.

2M8WL-EME provides the user with not just improvements in gain and front to back ratio but also features a robust boom design. The 2M8WL-EME features the same highly reliable, CNC machined, driven element components used on other M2 VHF and UHF yagis. The boom is 55' long and the elements are large diameter for higher gain at 2m frequencies, A single 2M8WL-EME provides the gain requirement to make EME contacts with even the best 4 yagi H frame stations. It passes the echo test by producing its own audible echoes even when pointed up at deep space objects with no ground gain! 7% of your RF signal will be reflected off a space object or planet back to the antenna.

Obviously it is dynamite on FM Tropo!
There's absolutely nothing else like it.

Tropo scatter is the most common form of tropospheric enhancement you hear on the the M2 2M8WL-EME Beam when use in the vertical mode listening to FM 2m repeater DX. Tropo-scatter is always present on the 2M8WL-EME FM Vertical to some degree just about anytime. Tropo scatter at 2 meter FM frequencies is caused by air turbulence, and small changes in temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. The signal is scattered in random fashion. The tiny portion of the transmitted signal that is scattered forward and downward from what is called the "common scattering volume" is responsible for signal paths longer than the normal line-of-sight horizon.

The 55 foot long boom W/20db gain over noise for 2 meter FM beam modified for vertical "FM DX Tropo" has been extensively used by a select few moonbouncers and tropo DX'ing enthusiasts for many years. (Only a few exist today) The clean, narrow 20 degree sharp pattern yields a very good G/T (gain/temperature in K) which, in everyday language, means you hear more signal (20 db) and less noise. It is ideal as a single antenna, the boom is strong. The M2 2M8WL-EME has integrated the computer optimized design with the unique custom driven element T-Match coax jumper, 30 dbi gain is a 1500-X times power input... Tunes Two meter 144-146 mhz FM Vertical Max VSWR 1.5:1.. All hardware is now stainless. By all standards the very long beam is a true thoroughbred among the few VHF 2m high gain 100-X plus times power input beam antennas!

Do You Wish To Burn A Hole In The Ionosphere On
The VHF FM DX Band ?

The goal was a powerful amateur solid state Linear for FM DX'ing repeater band.. I purchased this Big powerful linear as-is a non working RF AMP its a 8 KW watts model 32X2SC2879 solid state FM linear.. When I remove the cover at home in my work shop (the kitchen table) I was just amazed at how simple everything looked and such a rugged build.. My goal now was to see if i could get the amplifier to work.. It was so simple to fix the RF amplifier, with in hours the rf linear was just working fine, You can do just about anything with this linear its an amazing RF amplifier... With the unit working perfect at low power into a ***heating range element*** for a Dummy load . I looked the massive powerful built RF Linear over and here is what I had.

Its now a conversion High-Drive model 32X2SC2879 8 KW box FM, chassis, relay, chokes, wiring, and fans, the AMP board is for 32 Transistors (Pills).. It has all the transformers/combiners, ferrite cores, resistors and chokes in place as designed. My transceiver on low power at 10 Watts and drives it perfect. This unit draws 800 amps @ 13.3 VDC, Note use batterys to power this type of Linear, Normal Linear power supplys non regulated will idles at 24 vdc.. Its a short life for your amp.

The reliability of surplus VHF Amplifiers has been phenomenal. Much like the post-WII surplus radio era and later commercial two-way radio surplus era, the potential for a second long lifetime in high-power Linears for the two meter FM Ham & Amateur radio service is compelling.

Running High Power Two Meter Solid State operation.
The Repeater FM DX Band ?

There are several important things to remember about running high power 2 meter operation. One of these is safety! As we go higher in frequency and power, the distance you should be away from the antenna goes up. When I was using a power amplifier on two meters with the M2 2M8WL-EME, you could feel the heat on the side of your face from 50 feet away. While no scientific study has confirmed the dangers, if you can feel the heat it can't be doing you any good! Doubly so if you or one of your friends has a heart pacemaker or similar device. After all, this is how microwave ovens work; they heat food with RF radiation. Recently, the Mirage division of MFJ Enterprises introduced a new line of 2m amplifiers capable of high output! This brings a whole new level of safety concerns.

It also brings a new level of DC power requirements, to say nothing about antenna power ratings. Looking at this a little deeper, a small 300 watt output, solid state amp will input about 600 watts. At a nominal 13.8 VDC, the current draw is nearly 45-60 amps plus that necessary for the transceiver. If you're planning on running this level of power you need a good power supply or me I use a tractor battery mounted outside my home.

If you intend to use one of these on FM, you'll need to add a fan to keep the heatsink cool. Even then, you should keep transmissions short. Incidentally, running high power FM in an urban setting is overkill, and may make you a few enemies in high density areas where the distances to the next repeater on the same frequency pair are short. Save it for simplex and rural areas.