How many watts must a power amplifier have?

The power required of an amateur radio power amplifier depends on several factors, such as the desired operating mode, the target range, the antennas used and the existence of any restrictions imposed by local regulations. For local communication or getting started with amateur radio, power amplifiers with 10 to 100 watts are often sufficient. If you are aiming for global connections or want to work in the shortwave range, you could consider power amplifiers with 200 to 1500 watts. However, it is important not to exceed the maximum permitted transmission power, which is set by the regulatory authority in each country. The maximum permitted transmission powers differ depending on the band and license class.