[Elecraft] A little more =-"ooomph"

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I sure don't want to start the old QRO/QRP debate again, but one reason =
why
there aren't more 25 to 35 watt amps around for a rig in the QRP K2's =
power
range is that the difference between 10 or 15 watts and 30 watts or so =
is
somewhere between 1/2 and 1 S-unit on most receivers. That is, it's not
enough to detect on normal 'on-air' operations. It's usually very hard =
to
detect even if you are in a position to quickly switch back and forth
between the two power levels. It's very rarely, if ever, enough to make =
a
difference in normal QSO's.

The difference between 10 and 25 watts is not even HALF an S-unit.=20

Normally, it takes a two or more S-unit change to make difference that =
is
apparent on the bands. That's why most rigs go up in power in 10:1 steps
(e.g. 10 dB or 1.5 S-Units). So 10 watts goes to 100 watts - the KPA100. =
And
if you want that sort of difference again, you need to step up to 1000 =
watts
output.=20

That's why you'll find that many of the 25 to 35 watt output amp =
circuits
are designed for a watt or two of drive. They do a credible job of =
boosting
a 2 or 3 watt rig in a way that is apparent on the air, just as the =
KPA100
takes a 10 watt K2 to 100 watts output.=20

Ron AC7AC