[Elecraft] Amplifier

[J F]

I agree with this Dave. Like many other things, it is
"easy" whereas antenna improvements generally require
thought and work. 
Some wish every edge they can get and a some folks are
antenna limited, we need to remember one other factor:
age. The ham population is aging and many are unable
or unwilling to do tower work or bury radials. So for
those folks, an amp seems to be the answer. Judging by
the number you see available "used", they tend to be
one of the first items disposed.
I think the folks at Aptos are responding to the
market. Although, we'd like to think of them in a less
commercial sense, they are a business. I'd rather see
them survive, even if it means adding some things that
some folks think sacreligious. I don't plan on adding
the "big" amp, but I do have my eye on two other kits.
(I still am trying to find enough time to build what I
have now, work, move, build an new antenna farm before
the fall, be with family, mow the yards, etc, etc...)

But I fully agree the best bang for the buck is
improving your antenna system.

Cheers,
Julius
n2wn


"Amps are, in  my view, the most overpriced pieces of
gear in the hamshack.  If you spend one tenth of that
amount sprucing up your antenna system you will get
more benefit. 
 The worst thing that ever happened to ham radio was
when they  allowed amplifiers that run more power than
the local commercial radio  station.  The U.K. 
allows, I think, a maximum of 400 watts---or is that 
Australia?  
Anyway, that's plenty!  From that level, the most you
can  improve your signal is about 1 "S" unit--unless
you cheat!  Anything more  than a couple hundred watts

just creates QRM--it becomes brute force  rather than technique!"