[Elecraft] KPA500 (another view)

[Keith Heimbold]

At the moment, I am spending money on my little beginners antenna farm.  I am upgrading my K4KIO Hex beam (and keeping the hex beam for vacation property) to a Steppir 3 element antenna for my small lot station. I haven't bought the KPA500 yet but I am seriously considering transitioning from the Quadra VL1000 but I have not pulled the trigger yet.

I run the Quadra at 110 VAC and it does about 750W on HF. Does that 250W make that much difference I doubt it, but something has still held me back and that is the internal antenna tuner which the Quadra has a pretty weak excuse for one but it still works well enough for my 80 and 40 vertical. Everyone has a reason, I guess. Once the KAT500 comes out I will reassess and most likely make the move. 

Keith

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Jan 17, 2012, at 4:45 PM, "Mike K2MK" <k2mk at comcast.net> wrote:

> I'm hoping they skip the middle man and go right for the KPA-1500. Folks
> considering a KW might have been persuaded by the fine reviews and excellent
> integration to jump into the KPA-500. Those desiring the legal limit are
> probably taking a wait and see approach.
> 
> 73,
> Mike K2MK
> 
> 
> alsopb wrote
>> 
>> It's been stated here that the difference between 1500W and 500W is 
>> mostly unimportant.  Most views are going from about 100 w to 500 W.
>> 
>> Here is another view based up the past 15 days of operation with a 
>> KPA-500.  The previously 1500 watts was used with identical antennas.
>> 
>> I chase DX and specifically the DX Marathon award where you try to work 
>> as many countries as possible each year.  Yes I can still work stations 
>> but the net effect is:
>> 
>> 1) You won't work everything you used to
>> 2) It takes longer to work them
>> 3) SSB pileup cracking is more difficult
>> 4) RTTY pileups are more difficult still.
>> 
>> Frustration.
>> 
>> It hasn't been a complete wash.  I've managed 174 countries/40 zones 
>> with the KPA-500 BUT GETTING THERE WAS A LOT MORE DIFFICULT than Jan.
>> 2011.
>> 
>> The above isn't unexpected.
>> 
>> Bring on a KPA-1000.
>> 
>> 73 de Brian/K3KO
>> 
> 
> 
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