[Elecraft] QRO

[Jeff Stai]

At 02:19 PM 5/22/2006, Lou Laderman wrote:
>Isn't "conventional wisdom" that tube-based amplifiers are inherently
>more rugged and forgiving that transistor amplifiers, easier to work on
>or repair in the field, and that tube amps are the "way to go?" 
>Has that changed, and other than price alone, why should I consider the
>new Elecraft amp over a tube design featuring auto tuning such as the
>Acom or the Alpha (older 87A or the new 9500)?
>Lou, W0FK

Well, first off the KPA amps have auto-tuning with a built-in antenna tuner, based on the KAT100 design - with a little less SWR latitude than the KAT100.

Second, there is circuitry to prevent damage to the transistor finals.

Lastly and most interesting - this was something Eric showed me last year, and he can chime in if it has changed - but they have designed the amps based on two-transistor modules that are easily field replaced. I think packing extra PCBs will be easier for a DXpedition than packing extra tubes. Elecraft was also planning to 'loan' these spares to DXpeditions - if they aren't used, you don't pay for them.

- jeff wk6i


--
Jeff Stai               jds at twistedoak.com
Twisted Oak Winery      http://www.twistedoak.com/