[Elecraft] Wichita, KS hamfest

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Good luck Jim. 

With a lot of Hams - especially the ones we called "California Kilowatts"*
(when I lived there), the KPA500 running wide open is definitely QRP. But at
least you're legal on all but the 30 meter band, Hi!

73, 

Ron AC7AC

*Back in the 1950's and 60's a "California Kilowatt" was a station who had a
rig that ran a kilowatt to the DRIVER ahead of the actual amplifier tubes,
many of which used a huge amount of water to keep 'em from melting! They
used to brag about not only making their house lights dim when they hit the
key, but the ones in the house next door too! 


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Sheldon
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2011 7:31 PM
To: Elecraft Mailing List
Subject: [Elecraft] Wichita, KS hamfest

Well, the car is all loaded up with K3, P3, XG3, KPA500, Owners &
programming manuals, power supply, cables, PAC-12 antenna & coax, Elecraft
banner, literature etc.  David, KD0R is bringing his K2 and assorted
mini-modules along with an antenna for it.

I've done a prelim test on the KPA500 in Demo mode and it sure looks "purty"
with all them blinkin' lights even though it ain't putting out any RF.  Only
problem I forsee is the fact I've been mainly a QRP operator for the last 10
years and the fact that I actually now OWN an amplifier is gonna get me a
lot of ribbing.  I can truthfully say though, I have NOT had it on the air
yet.  After the hamfest I'm going to completely re-arrange the desk to give
it a proper place in the hierarchy of things.  I've already worked 3D2R/MM
on 15 CW and 3D2R (Rotuma Island) on 10 SSB, but they've been too weak to
attempt the pileups on the other bands so far.  Once I get the KPA500 hooked
up and operating, I expect that will change in short order.  

Now Wayne, et al in the Elecraft labs, I need that KAT500 to complete the
station!!

Jim Sheldon - W0EB - Park City, KS