[Elecraft] Considering a KPA-500

[Mike K2MK]

Hi Dave,

If you have the money and the space why not keep both. A little bit of
antenna switching and you can have a choice between 2 amps. 

As an adjunct to a legal limit amp the KPA500 is wonderful. While the big
amp is warming up you can be working stations. For a quick band change to
work a spotted station you can quickly work him and get back to your
previous band.

I have used my KPA500 working heavy duty contest RTTY at 500 watts. The
cooling is perfect. If you're running stations in a continuous stream the
fan speed will ramp up to 5 and then periodically hit top speed (6). When in
speed 6 it will cool the amp quickly back to the speed 5 level. The only
problem I see with this is fan noise. Speed 5 is loud. Speed 6 is really
loud. Casual RTTY, or search and pounce contest RTTY, even at 600 watts
probably won't push the fan above speed 4. Speed 4 is relatively quiet.

73,
Mike K2MK


David Cole wrote
> Hi all,
> 
> I am considering a KPA-500...  I currently have an AL-82, and am getting
> tired of all the band switching etc.
> 
> My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500
> watts.  Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to
> 500 watts...  I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB.  
> 
> I get DB, and realize that I will take a roughly a 5 db loss in signal,
> which is one S-unit... 
> 
> Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power??
> 
> Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so,
> can you tell me a bit about it?  How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS
> frequencies?  They are all over the place, not in ham bands...
> 
> -- 
> Thanks and 73's,
> For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
> www.nk7z.net





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