[Elecraft] KPA-500 fan noise

[Jim Brown]

On 6/1/2014 5:59 PM, AG0N-3055 wrote:
> Sounds normal for mine.

Yes, quite normal. The KPA500 is very well protected, while still 
allowing as much power output as possible. I do lots of RTTY contesting 
on HF, and JT65 on several bands, including 6M. Depending on the ambient 
temperature in the shack, the fan kicks into high gear after about 40 
seconds, but the power remains at maximum.

I ran a beta KPA500 for a RTTY contest weekend, with instructions to run 
it "with all the lights lit." I did, with no issues, and that's how I've 
always run it.

BTW -- with many classes of power amps, greatest dissipation is not at 
full power, but at some lower power level, and it is my understanding 
this is true with the KPA500. So backing off TX power probably isn't 
necessary, and if it is, the KPA500 will do it on its own.

73, Jim K9YC