[Elecraft] Considering a KPA-500

[dyarnes]

David and All,

I, for one, am a very happy camper with just the KPA500 vs. something much 
bigger and closer to the legal limit.  Obviously, if 500 watts is good, then 
1000 watts, or 1500 watts, must be better!  The question is "how much"?  And 
at what cost?  Add to that, "what are the downsides?

You can compute what you are leaving on the table (in Db and/or S units), 
but it's an entirely different matter to determine whether you will or won't 
be heard with just the lesser amount of power.  At 500 watts I'm picking up 
something over an "S unit" from my 100 watt barefoot power.  I'm leaving 
something less than an S unit on the table by not running 1500 watts.  For 
me, the extra S unit plus has been rather dramatic.  For whatever reason, 
and considering my modest antenna situation, I seem to be "noticed" a lot 
more often, and have to repeat calls a lot less.  It has gotten me a bunch 
closer to being able to say with confidence "if I can hear them, I can work 
them"!

What you may want to do is run a test with someone who can vary his power 
widely so that you can hear the difference yourself.  That may make up your 
mind for you.  I suggest doing it at a level where 100 watts is readable 
with slight difficulty, then go up from there.  I think you will find that 
the jump from 100 to 500 watts or so makes the biggest difference, and there 
are diminishing returns from there.

In my view, the cost and inconvenience of going to even higher power is a 
big hurdle.  I run my KPA500 on a 120 volt line, and it works just fine!  If 
I go to 1 KW or higher, I need 220 volts!  I don't have that in my shack.  I 
can carry my KPA500 with 1 hand--easily!  With my KPA500, and the companion 
KAT500, one or two "dits" and I'm tuned!  Band changing is a snap!  The amp 
is VERY quiet!  As soon as I turn it on, it is ready to go!  Even traveling 
with this amp is not out of the question.

If I can't hear a station (which often is the case!), I can't work them. 
More power isn't going to change that.  Only a better antenna will improve 
that problem.  At 100 watts I was often questionable, but at 500 watts I'm 
substantially more readable at the other end, and usually enough to make the 
contact--and with Q5 results.  In truth, I am probably benefitting from the 
other station's better antenna.  Anyway, the only way I am apt to make 
significant improvements from my current level is to improve my antenna, not 
increase my power!

Apparently, based on other comments, I could run the KPA500 up to nearly 700 
watts.  I don't do that.  I just don't see the benefit of pushing the amp. 
Maybe the amp can take that without straining, but I don't want to chance 
it.  another 100 to 200 watts seems almost meaningless.  Contesters and 
DXers probably won't agree!  If I ever get the urge to go to higher power, 
it will probably be to close to 1500 watts--but I doubt that will ever 
happen.  Going to 1 KW is only 3 Db, and that just doesn't sound like enough 
vs. the problems I would be creating.

Lastly, if anything ever happens to my KPA500, I have Elecraft to turn to. 
That is huge!  I cannot put a price, or a value, on the peace of mind that 
gives me!  With respect to amps, the KPA500 may be something of a 
compromise, but I think it is one of the smartest things Elecraft ever did!

Notwithstanding all of this, if you are a die hard contester, or DXer, I 
strongly suspect the siren call of 1500 watts will get you --sooner or 
later.

Dave W7AQK