eBay

Lot of 10 Mini-Circuits ERA-2SM DC-6GHz MMICs +13dBm

I have a few lots, each of 10 new (old stock) pieces of the ERA-2SM RF amplifier MMIC by Mini-Circuits, fresh in cut tape. These are modern high performance devices of recent manufacture.

Compared with previous MAR devices, ERA-2SMs have:
- wider bandwidth: DC .. 6GHz
- higher gain: ~ 16dB at most Ham frequencies, > 10dB at 6GHz
- higher output level: 13dBm (1db compression point)
Unconditionally stable, 50 Ohm matched in/out
Low noise figure: 3.3dB typical
Standard SOT-86 surface mount package (small, but still easy to hand solder)

They are more expensive than the MAR/MSA types but the combination of high gain, high output levels AND low noise means these can substitute for many other MMICs in various positions in an RF system. Whether for driving mixers, buffering DDS' or general RF amplification, these are a fine choice.

For example, when Jim Rowe designed the 2.8 GHz prescaler in the Oct. 2006 Silicon Chip article, he used the ERA-2SM as the front end preamplifier.

The full article is online at http://www.siliconchip.com.au/cms/A_107676/article.html and well worth a read.

With their excellent high frequency characteristics, it's not hard to see why these are some of the most useful RF amplifiers around, and a useful addition to any RF experimenter's parts drawer!

Part Information:

manufacturer Mini-Circuits
name ERA-2SM
marking E2 .
package SOT-86
datasheet http://minicircuits.com/pdfs/ERA-2SM+.pdf

USA and Canada Shipping is $3.00
International Shipping is $4.00 to $6.50

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