[Elecraft] [KXPA100] Power-on slide switch ?

[Phil Hystad]

Addressed to KXPA100 owners, or KXPA100 manufacturers:

I was showing photos (from the Elecraft web site) of the KXPA100 amplifier to a friend of mine (the amplifier is next on my to-buy list).  He is a relatively recent ham operator but a General class holder of way back in the 1960s.  Last year, he bought a K3/P3 and is very interested in acquiring more Elecraft equipment.

So, this friend, also a retired EE (comms and telemetry), is shocked to see a slide switch, reminiscent of his old Heathkit days, as the power on switch.  I had never noticed it before.  His comment:  "Why the antique component, that will break within a year".

My question:  is this true?  Will this switch break within a year or is it much better quality then my friend remembers as being on his old Heathkit rigs.  Actually, I am not sure which Heathkit rig he is referring to, whether his DX-60 or DX-100 or what.  Or, maybe my friend is particularly hard on slide switches.

I have to admit that after being used to all of the push button switches on the Elecraft rigs (K-line, KX3) I too was a little surprised at the slide switch (just now remembered that my KX1 has two small slide switches on it).  Though, I have no knowledge of whether push button is better than slide switch anyway.

73, phil, K7PEH