[Elecraft] KPA-500 "Output for Input" schedule?

[Wes Stewart]

Then by definition, they aren't linear.

A graph of output power vs. input power should be a straight line.  It it isn't then it's non-linear.  The practical question is how much non-linearity is acceptable.

--- On Wed, 5/11/11, Julian, G4ILO <julian.g4ilo at gmail.com> wrote:

> 
> If it does that then it will be the first linear amplifier
> I have ever seen
> that actually keeps that relationship across the whole of
> its range.
> 
> Most solid state amplifiers exhibit noticeable compression
> as you increase
> the input power, so you get a lot more than half the rated
> power out for
> half the specified drive power.
> 
> Take a look at the figures for this Mirage amp (selected at
> random as being
> the first spec sheet I could find that proved the point.)
> It is only truly
> linear up to half its rated output. 10W in gives the rated
> 160W output, but
> 5W gives you 150W 2.5W would give you somewhere around
> 120W. The VHF amp I
> have here has a similar characteristic. Although it is
> designed to be driven
> with 5W input I am actually driving it with the K3/K144XV
> with less than
> half that power and still get virtually full output.
> 
> So I think the OP actually asked a very reasonable
> question.
>