[Elecraft] KPA500 in RTTY contest ?

[Jim Sheldon]

Not usually one to post "Me Too" type comments, but this one strikes home.  My KPA500 is a kit built one that I've had for around a year now.  I asked the same question early on and was given the same answers Don and Gary (plus probably others) have given you.  While not running it at 700 watts, I have run it at 500 pretty much continuously with over 10 minutes of transmit time in RTTY round tables with the only adverse effect being the fan shifted into higher gear when the PA temp reached the set points in the firmware.  Other than having to put up with the fan noise, Serial # 443 has performed flawlessly.  I've run it at 550-600 watts in several RTTY contests (BARTG and the RTTY Roundup) with less high fan time than in the round-table operation.  

About 85 percent of my operation is on CW and I've actually gotten the fan to step up a notch in the Kansas QSO party where I operated as special event station K0K and stayed in "Run" mode the entire time.  Again, no adverse effect on the KPA500 noted. It gets turned on to standby first thing in the morning and runs that way until I shut it down in the evening unless it's needed and it's always there instantly by tapping the Op/Stby button.  

My advice -- RUN IT.

Jim - W0EB

PS:
I don't even turn the amp on during the few times I operate PSK as, in my opinion, anything more than 30 watts is way too much power for that mode anyway if you want to keep a clean signal.

> I can confirm Don's comments.
>
> As a field tester I have abused the kpa500 also, and it just does
> the job perfect.......1,000;s of QSO's and still up to spec with no
> issues.
>
> 73
> Gary
>
>
> On 4 October 2013 22:39, Don Wilhelm <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Benny,
>>
>> The KPA500 is specified for 500 watts output for CW/SSB/Data
>> modes, so no de-rating for RTTY is required.
>> I recall during Field Test, K9YC was instructed to run an RTTY
>> contest at 700 watts output just to 'see what happens' - the
>> KPA500 survived nicely.
>>
>> The fans are oversize and relatively quiet.
>>
>> 73,
>> Don W3FPR
>>
>> On 10/4/2013 3:42 AM, Benny Aumala wrote:
>>
>>> How does KPA500 stand in RTTY contests? Any experience? I am
>>> interested in user s experience and opinion of Elecraft itself.
>>>
>>>
>>> - Working all the time, can you use full power or must reduce?
>>> Down to what level? - Cooling blower too noisy? - What else?
>>> Your opinion, please.
>>>
>>>
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