[Elecraft] KPA500 General Questions

[k6rb at baymoon.com]

As a a recent buyer of the a KPA-500 kit, it has been in use, now, about 4
weeks. This weekend, I used it for the first time in RTTY mode. I did 8.5
hours of CQ WW RTTY with the amp at 500 watts. The fan was never heard.
Any fan noise was from the switching power supplies used to power the two
K3s.

As for input SWR, it is 1:1. My Alpha 87A shows nearly 2:1 on 10 meters.
So, there is definitely something that needs tweaking in the Alpha. The
direct to 10 m antenna SWR is 1:1.

When I bought the KPA-500, I had a Centurion in that position for SO2R. I
have since decided to leave the KPA permanently in that position and sell
the Centurion. If there is any difference on the received end between 500
w and 1 KW, I haven't noticed. But the amp is smaller, lighter, and
quieter than the Centurion. It also changes bands much quicker than the
Alpha.

Rob K6RB


> I am considering a KPA500 and have some questions for those that own one:
>
> 1. What Input SWR are you seeing? Does it vary by band?
>
> 2. Is there a lag in band switching when not using a K3 (Used with
> non-Elecraft radio).
>
> 3. In normal SSB operation, how loud is the fan? I know this varies
> per person, some don't hear fan noise and others do. What would you
> compare it to? As an example, the Yaesu MARK-V Field is OK, but the
> MARK-V 200 watt model is too loud for me.
>
>
> Thanks and 73,
>
> Joe  N9VX
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>