[Elecraft] KPA500 vs THP HL-550FX

[Fred Carvalho]

Hi Roy and all

I own a HL-550FX. At the time I bought it for DXpeditions the KPA-500 had
not been released yet.
Just to make the comparison fair, it does not take 5 minutes do reset
 after an alarm. You will need to turn it on/off  and it will go to normal
state again.
Regarding the input power level, I guess it was pretty much a decision than
a problem. THP inserted a 6dB attenuator in the input to lower the
amplifier's gain. So, even if you run close to 100W, you will be ok. BTW,
the amplifier was not meant to be driven with any specific exciter, so the
choice was probably to make it  match FCC's requirements regarding PA's
gain as well as to allow it to accept anything in the input without
reducing too much  the exciter's power. By bypassing the attenuator,  one
would need much less power to run it and would get more output power too.

There is at least one advantage for those that will cross the world with it
in airplane cabins. The THP weights 22.5Lbs against 26Lbs of the KPA500. It
seems not too much, but after 28 hours  carrying it in flights and
airports, it will make a difference. Some international airlines weights
the hand lugage. So  lighter the better.

I guess both products are in the good quality teams, but t you'll get more
features and power for a $ spent with the KPA500.

Regards

-- 
Fred - PY2XB

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