[Elecraft] KPA500 - just 500 watts?

[John Ragle]

1 S-unit is about 6 dB. To get an S-unit improvement over 500 watts 
(output) would require about 2 kW of output power. In comparison, even 
the simplest directional antenna is capable of producing at least 6 dB 
"gain." It seems to me that the QRO philosophy of "Stomp 'em into the 
Dust" is a poor substitute for operating skill. Moreover, it is probably 
even illegal in the sense that it constitutes deliberate interference 
with another's signals and a disdain for the rule that says that only 
enough power is to be used to maintain effective communication.

There is a connection between this attitude and the impulse to 
communicate by voice methods, even to the resurgence of interest in 
broadcast quality AM transmission. These are all wasteful of spectrum 
space and energy resources. Digital modes are surely capable of more 
effective DX'ing with much lower power levels, and attention to antenna 
design and operating conditions would seem to be much more thoughtful 
and professional than the CB-like attitude which is now found on the 
phone bands. BPSKnn is suitable for chatting, and if your bag is 
"hello-goodbye," take a look at JT65-HF and what is possible with only a 
few watts of TX power.

John Ragle -- W1ZI -- with almost 65 years of licensed experience in 
amateur radio...

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On 1/25/2011 9:35 AM, Lee Buller wrote:
> Got my flame suit on....