[Elecraft] new KPA 500 question

Wed Dec 19 12:14:00 EST 2012

I have both the KPA500 and a Alpha 87A used in my 2 K3 SO2R setup. Mostly
I'm a DXer but do a few contests also but not serious by any means. I do
enjoy the low bands and work DX on 80/40m most every day, a majority of the
time extra power is needed.

I do the progressive thing to see how much power I need to make the contact
100/500/1500w or somewhere in-between. When I'm trying to work rare DX in
pileup or very weak signal I use the Alpha. As we all know these contacts
can be gone in an instant so it's QRO all the way for it IMHO for a new one.
If I have to turn the Alpha on I use the KPA500 till it warms up lol.

I know what some will say and yes I do enjoy QRP also and have for quite a
while.

73,
Fred/N0AZZ

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bruce McLaughlin
Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2012 9:36 AM
To: 'hawley, charles j jr'; 'David Gilbert'
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] new KPA 500 question

I do think there is a different set of considerations when one is talking
about making contacts under competitive conditions as opposed to daily,
run-of-the-mill rag chewing.  When conditions are poor, certainly an
amplifier can be helpful even for rag chew contacts.  But frankly, if 500
Watts won't do it for a rag chew contact, it probably isn't worth it to
continue.  Usually reception is so poor that it isn't much fun.  But I do
agree that legal limit operation can be very helpful if you are after some
rare DX and you have lots of company to contend with.

Bruce-W8FU

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of hawley, charles j jr
Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 7:16 PM
To: David Gilbert
Cc: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] new KPA 500 question

Ok...I was a little hasty I think. I've never been a contester and didn't
consider HAVING to make the contact in adverse conditions.

Sent from my iPad
Chuck, KE9UW
(Jack for BMW motorcycles)

On Dec 18, 2012, at 5:05 PM, "David Gilbert" <xdavid at cis-broadband.com>
wrote:

> 
> I totally agree ... there is nothing clear about that path at all. 5 
> db is
a HUGE difference if you're anywhere near the noise level on the other end,
and it is a major difference if you're competing against other weak stations
for a contact.  Under the right circumstances even 2 db can make a
significant difference.  I urge anyone who doesn't believe me to check out:
> 
> http://www.ab7e.com/weak_signal/mdd.html
> 
> QRP is fun and I've done a lot of it myself, but saying that 5 to 7 db 
> is
not worth having in general is just nonsense.
> 
> 73,
> Dave   AB7E
> 
> 
> 
> On 12/18/2012 3:14 PM, Scott Manthe wrote:
>> I hate to be a contrarian, but the path is not quite so clear. That 5 
>> to
7 dB can be the difference between making a contact or not making a contact,
especially on the low bands. We're not always talking about the difference
between S9, plus 20 or 25, but the difference between S0 or S.5, or being an
S unit above the noise.
>> 
>> I currently don't have anything bigger than my KPA500 and I'm very 
>> happy
with it, but anyone who says that 600 watts is always enough power doesn't
try to work tough DX on 80 or 160m. A serious 160 op will tell you that 600
watts is often about 6 dB too little, sometimes more...
>> 
>> 73,
>> Scott, N9AA
>> 
>> 
>> On 12/18/12 3:31 PM, Phil Hystad wrote:
>>> I agree, the path is clear -- it is obvious --- sell the Commander 
>>> as 5
to 7 dB is not worth having extra stuff around to fool with.  As said by a
person with a growing interest and desire for QRP contacts.
>>> 
>>> 73, phil, K7PEH
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Dec 18, 2012, at 12:28 PM, "hawley, charles j jr"
<c-hawley at illinois.edu> wrote:
>>> 
>>>> If you are 20db over S9 with the KPA500, you can be 25 to 27db over 
>>>> S9
with the Commander in line. The path is clear...
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>> Chuck, KE9UW
>>>> (Jack for BMW motorcycles)
>>>> 
>>>> 
>> 
> 
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