[Elecraft] Time for the KPA-1500

[Doug Turnbull]

Hi OMs and Yls,
    I hope that when and if Elecraft do produce a higher power amplifier it
is 1500 Watts continuous as needed for contesting HP operation.   If one is
calling for a while on a rather dead band even with CW amplifiers heat up.
Solid state amplifiers seem to be particularly problematic in this regard as
I found this weekend with the SPE 2000 running the new EI contest only power
limit of 1500 Watts.   The amplifier just starts to heat up and then reduces
power.   I think valve amplifiers have an advantage in this regard.   Alpha
has something to be said for it as does the Acom 2000A neither of which seem
to suffer this affliction.   On the other hand I surely do like the instant
turn on of the SPE 2000 and many of its other features.   So when and if
Elecraft produces a 1500 Watt amplifier they have a challenge.   Apparently
the KPA 500 is a dream for what it does and if they can do as well with 1500
Watts solid state boy will that be a winner.

      I must say that the SPE amplifier has a very efficient power supply.
There is practically no heat produced in the shack when one is not key down
while my ACOM 2000A heats the shack up.   I am afraid to monitor the
electricity bill too closely for my XYL might get wind of this and put a
clamp on my operations.

        The SPE also directly drives my SteppIR controller and also selects
which of the six antenna inputs to use as preprogrammed.   There is also the
facility to choose between two separate rigs driving the amplifier.   These
are nice features.

       Solid state amplifiers also seem to be noisy but this does not seem
to be a complaint by KPA 500 users.   I look forward to seeing and hearing
the one EI6IZ uses in his shack.   

       I was certainly wrong in thinking that there might not be much of a
market for the KPA 500.   To be honest I was tempted but took another path.
A KPA 1500 is a different matter entirely and it will greatly interest me
when and if it emerges.

        Please do not take any of this as being critical of either the KPA
500 or Elecraft.  Truth is I am perhaps too much of a booster when it comes
to Elecraft products and company.   Both always deserve mention as Elecraft
is itself so atypical and so helpful.   I do not know how they might explain
this in advertisement but it is a strong point.   Having the owner designers
enter into dialogue with users is not an everyday experience.

                   73 Doug EI2CN   


-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Peter Chamalian
Sent: 20 February 2012 17:37
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] Time for the KPA-1500

Don't get me wrong.  I love the KPA-500 for its nearly instant on  and
instant band change.  But in an event such as this past weekend ARRL CW
(ditto CQWW and other major contests), 500 watts may put you in the high
power category but it definitely does not put you in the same league as the
guys running the legal limit.

 

With the advances in solid state devices, I truly hope the folks at Elecraft
have a KPA-1500 on the drawing board or at least a KPA-1000 with a tuner
(just like the Yaesu Quadra amp).  

 

I'm willing to bet you will sell a bunch of them, too!

 

Pete, W1RM

 

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