[Elecraft] Considering a KPA-500

[Merv Schweigert]

I would really like for every ham to go with 500W.   It would sure make
my day.   I used to have a very competitive DX station back in ILL and
busted my hump to get every 1/2 db improvement,  1db opens a whole
new world of signals out of the noise.  Proven fact and QST articles were
written about it years ago.  Look up station design for DX in the QST
archives.

When the DX station is in a third world country with a S5 to S9 noise level
and your pumping out a great 500w and your signal is S5,  you are
out of luck,   the guy running 1500 has a good chance, as his signal will
be over the noise level.   Now consider that 1000 of your buddies are
also running 1500 and are all say S9..  operator skill and luck play a big
part of getting through,  but if your station is optimized for every DB you
may have a better antenna,  less loss feedline,  etc etc and be 3DB
better than the others calling,  your chances being a good operator are
now in the top 10 percent.
Depends on how competitive you are and what your goals are,
Is 500 enough? yes to talk to your buddies a few states away,  or contest
in SS or FD etc.  but its not near enough if you want to work em all.
And thats my goal to work em all,
Did that from ILL and currently at 333 countries with just a zepp antenna
from KH6,   and no 500 watts will not get it done.
Operator is a major key,  but DB in the operators hands is a tool you cannot
afford to give up.
73 Merv K9FD/KH6


> Hi Brian,
> Thank you for that info, especially from a DX station!  Right now I am
> trying to balance ease of operation between the 1.5 KW I now have...
> This sort of input helps a lot!