2m Transmitter Alternative Design

[NZ0I]

Now that we have a 2m transmitter design that works, I've been looking into ways to simplify it. One way to do that would be to eliminate both of the discrete transistors (the driver and final amplifier) and replace them with this part (or one similar to it):

https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=863-1063-1-ND

Not only would the Skyworks gain block eliminate the two discrete transistors, it would eliminate several inductors and trimmer capacitors needed for impedance matching, since that part has 50-ohm input and output. The main downside is that the transmitter would be limited to about 500mW output power.

What I think I will do is try to include footprints on the PCB to support either design: 1-Watt transmitter with discrete transistors, or a 1/2-Watt version with the Skyworks gain block. The builder can then select which version to construct.