[Elecraft] KPA500 question

[Bruce Beford]

This is the first semi-official news we have received on the KAT500 in some
time. Originally, I believe a design target was the same size as the P3, not
the K3 or KPA500. I wonder if the new case dimensions actually contain a
larger volume than the P3 box? A low-profile design with the same footprint
as the K3 will still integrate nicely. 

Given that the feedlines will come from the KAT500, and given that the
KPA500 is "top-cooled" wouldn't it seem that more likely the KPA500 would
sit -under- the KPA500? The mass of the amp would keep it from being pulled
around by the feedlines. Hmm. Maybe the case would need extra structural
support for the weight of the KPA500, though. Hmmm, just daydreaming here...

One (previously announced) very interesting option will be for those K3
users with a sub receiver- the ability to have the second non-tuned antenna
pass through to the sub RX aux input to support diversity reception. I
imagine that the amount of hardware/shielding needed for the required
isolation between the active TX port (at 500W+) and the RX port may have
added to the volume required to house it all. 

Thanks for the morsel, Lyle.

73,
Bruce, N1RX

> Lyle, KK7P wrote:
> The KAT500 is external to the KPA500.  It will have the same footprint 
> as the KPA500 and K3, but is very low profile and will sit nicely on top 
> of either unit.