[Elecraft] Time for the KPA-1500

[k6rb at baymoon.com]

About six months ago I replaced a Ten-Tec Centurion (1KW) with a KPA-500
in radio 2 position. Since then, I've had a chance to see if I noticed a
difference. It's kind of hard to be quantitative when you have so many
independent variables (condx, time of year, etc.) but in this weekend's DX
test, I used the Alpha station on 20 m and 10 m and the KPA station on 15
m and 40 m. The Alpha station was used on 80 and 160 (where power really
does seem to make a difference).

My greatest total of both Qs and mults was on 15 m (KPA band). And, I had
a lot of Qs and mults on 40 m (also a KPA band). To be honest, I think if
I could have been heard with the Centurion, I could also be heard with the
KPA.

Would I buy a KPA-1500? In a heart beat. I'd replace the Alpha with it.
When I'm not contesting (most of the time), I use the K3/P3/KPA-500. No
wait time and it is, how can I say this?, smoother operating. I'm tempted
to get a 2nd KPA-500 and replace the Alpha with that...but I know having
1.5 KW versus 500 watts does make a difference on 80 and 160. So, for now,
I'm in idling mode.

Rob K6RB


> 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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