[Elecraft] Considering a KPA-500

[Guy Olinger K2AV]

On Fri, Apr 24, 2015 at 12:42 AM, Fred Jensen <k6dgw at foothill.net> wrote:

> 90+% CW, some RTTY in contests, a few % SSB in NAQP's and SS.  I ran a
> 1200 W amp at 500 W for almost a year before springing for the KPA500. From
> my end [obviously not the same as "the other end"], I couldn't really tell
> any difference.  Clearly, I don't know about the ones I couldn't get, but I
> really don't think working him or not working him depends on one S-Unit.  I
> think it depends a whole lot more on conditions, size of the antenna, size
> of the pile, and especially operator skills.  Mine are mediocre.


Well, there's 27 dB between the ears, so it's capable of making 100 w
extremely pesky, 5 watts actually work, and in the hands of a total LID,
render 1500 watts at a fine station useless. Have seen all of the above and
everything in between, the 27 dB is fairly accurate.

How come accurate? Because a fine QRP op actually CAN beat out a hopeless
LID at 1500 watts with equivalent antennas. That's 25 dB. Need to add a
couple extra dB to 25 because you don't know how far down in the hole a
hopeless LID really is. LID probably needs a couple extra dB to be able to
work anyone at all and get back up to zero.  27 dB between the ears.

As to Fred's skills? Come on. At worst he's mid-range for NCCC, and that
for sure is nothing to dismiss. He's just trying to sneak in a little
rope-a-dope for the next contest, get you off your guard, beat you in the
pile when you're not expecting it.

73, Guy.