[Elecraft] KPA500 questions

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

"I asked this question because in the past I have found the rated output
power of a transistorized amplifier is often higher than what is actually
obtained."

Sebastian, you'll find that Elecraft meets their published specs. I've had
the pleasure of working with them for the past 11 years and I know that if
it won't do it, they won't say it. 

Suggest you send a message to K3support (at) elecraft.com about the duty
cycle for WSJT. The support team will certainly give you a definitive
answer. 

73 and have fun!

Ron AC7AC

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Sebastian, W4AS
Sent: Monday, November 14, 2011 6:45 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 questions

Thanks for the comments on my questions on the KPA500 amp.

To expand on some of the comments: I have no reason to believe the amp's
meter isn't accurate.  Since I haven't seen one yet, it appears to me the
meter is of the LED type, which for me is a bit difficult to read.  I find
it easier to read an external analog meter.

With the exception of one person (who was very specific), everyone either
said the output is 500 watts, or above.  I asked this question because in
the past I have found the rated output power of a transistorized amplifier
is often higher than what is actually obtained.

I imagine overdriving it to obtain more than the rated output would stress
the transistors and/or power supply and/or affect the signal quality (or all
of those).  Naturally, a difference between 500 and 600 watts can't be
discerned anyway. 

As far as WSJT, no that's not a lower power mode.  A weak signal mode,
doesn't mean a low power mode.  The subset mode JT65A is becoming very
popular on HF.  That mode wasn't designed for HF, it was designed for 6
meter EME, where you use all the power you have.  

My primary interest with WSJT and the KPA500 is for meteor scatter on 6
meters, using FSK441 where you use the most power that you have.  Often, it
takes 30 - 45 minutes to complete a contact, so my concern was if this amp
could handle the stress for such a long period of time.

73 de Sebastian, W4AS