[Elecraft] KPA500

[Don Wilhelm]

Ron,

I have a pair of 6146 tubes that suffered the same aspirations and destiny.
I now am working on a WA6EBY amplifier to augment my QRP rigs - it runs 
on 24 volts, much safer than fooling with a 750 volt supply., and will 
work fine for mobile with a 12 volt input.  Besides that, transformers 
for that 750 volt power supply are not easy to come by these days, no 
more junk TV transformers easily obtainable.  I have a couple of those 
in my junkbox, but realistically, they will never see the light of an 
operational day.

73,
Don W3FPR


On 9/5/2011 9:10 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> About 10 years ago I collected all the parts for a 100 watt tube amp running
> a pair of 807's. I was planning to drive it with my K2, which back then ran
> 10 watts output. Then Elecraft released the KPA100 and I, to, was seduced by
> the "dark side" (literally!)
>
> Still have the parts. Still occasionally fantasize about a glowbug rig, but
> not enough motivation or time.
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Don Wilhelm
> Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 4:49 PM
> To: Guy Olinger K2AV
> Cc: Bruce Beford; elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500
>
> How about the excitement of drawing an arc off the plate caps of the PA
> tubes with a pencil (keep your fingers on the wood).  That used to be
> part of the excitement of ham radio.  Lots of these exciting things have
> been lost due to the advent of solid state devices and operating
> convenience.
>
> Nostalgia is wonderful - I have to just look at the array of boat
> anchors featured in the tailgate section at hamfests.  There is a lot of
> gear that I drooled over when I was a youngster who could not afford an
> HRO50  or an SX-100 or an NC-300.  I see these receivers and think back
> to that time when I wanted one, but I resist the temptation, the new
> solid state gear has much better specs and reviews, and I know that I
> would not want to indulge in a restoration project for that boat-anchor
> gear no matter how strong the nostalgia may be - so I just enjoy the
> looking and resist the drooling.
>
> You are allowed to differ, but I am sufficiently occupied with repairs
> of Elecraft gear and other personal projects, and do not have spare time
> to restore antique gear - others may have different perspectives.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>