[Elecraft] KPA-500 vs others

[Brian Alsop]

I guess I'm just a Missouri mule.  However,  I see that most of these 
posting praising the KPA500 and the posters don't even have one.

Wouldn't logic say, you can't make a comparison without having the items 
you're comparing?

BTW in the 500 vs 1500 watt debate, there is a tool which can pretty 
much settle the issue.  It's called VOACAP.  It is a propagation 
coverage tool which allows you to specify your power, antenna and 
produces a map of what coverage you'll get for the prevailing solar 
indices and time of day.   There is a free online version at:

http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html

Select the area coverage option.

For me, it is pretty convincing (I'm a primarily a DXer) that 1500 watts 
suits my operating needs, 500 watts does not.  For example two maps run 
this morning on 40M shows zero probability of making a contact with VK, 
however with 1500 watts it the probability becomes reasonable.

One factor VOACAP can't consider is competition.   I think it is a given 
that more 5db power will suit you better in a pileup.  If you're an old 
goat and your biological clock it ticking, working what you can hear 
quickly makes sense.

However, everyone's circumstances are different.  But at least one ought 
to try to evaluate them with available tools rather than just relying on 
word of mouth.

73 de Brian/K3KO


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