[Elecraft] RTTY and best IMD, cooling, etc

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

Into a well-matched load, KPA3 is capable of running 100 watts out,
brick-on-key.  The cooling fins and multiple fan speeds are as good as
it gets.  There is no need to pull it back to 15 watts.

Your Alpha and the K3 will be able to run 1.5 kW out RTTY until the
cows come home, assuming feedlines and antennas can take it.  With
what you can get out of the AL1200 with 100 watts drive (1300-1400 on
my AL1200), that will also run contest level RTTY without issue.

73, Guy.

On Sat, Apr 10, 2010 at 1:02 PM, Don Cunningham <wb5hak at martineer.net> wrote:
> I have several amps I can use and intend to run a lot of RTTY with my K3.  I
> will sell off some of this "surplus", since the K3 is used more than the
> other rigs I have.  I would like the opinions of the group about which path
> I should take.  My Alpha 8410 requires VERY low drive to give 500w plus out,
> in the order of 5 to 7 watts in.  I have other amps, like the PW1, AL-1200,
> etc that require 15w or so to give the same 500w plus out.  Intuitively it
> seems to me that the K3 might like the 15w or so, since the KPA3 is at the
> bottom of its range and the fans can help with the cooling, even though it
> is nearly 3 times the power needed to drive the 8410.  Am I thinking right,
> or WAY off base (as usual, hi).  LS's post this morning got me to thinking
> if his rig gets very warm on the bottom running 5w PSK.  Any suggestions??
> Thanks,
> Don, WB5HAK