[Elecraft] Higher Power than KPA500

[w7aqk]

Greetings all,

This ongoing urging of Elecraft to build a 1.5 KW amp is, at times, sort of 
interesting, but often it is a bit tiresome, if not non-productive.  Most of 
us have no clue as to the problems involved in producing something like 
that.  I don't think there is much doubt that Elecraft has the ability to 
create something like that, but is it worth it?  I suspect there is little 
appreciation out there for the headaches (and risks?) that go with it.

Many of the pros and cons of a bigger amp have been mentioned, but I am sure 
there are a lot more.  Also, although many express certainty about the 
existence of a "market" for a larger amp, I am not convinced that a handful, 
or even several handfuls, of those comments here are all that substantive or 
convincing.  They certainly do not represent a well constructed "market 
survey".  More importantly, they probably ignore the dozens of problems 
associated with such a project.  Besides, if it doesn't fit their business 
plan right now, then that's their call!

Elecraft did have a prototype high power amplifier several years ago--I saw 
it!  What that tells me is that Elecraft has already looked into this, at 
least to some extent.  Thus, I think we should give them credit for what 
they already know about such a project, and just let them come back to that, 
if they ever do, at their own pace.  Elecraft is a well run company, but not 
a particularly large one.  I suspect they are averse to taking big risks, so 
we should respect that.  It is much to our advantage that Elecraft keeps 
putting out "winners".  Putting out "losers" will probably only divert their 
attention, which is to our detriment.

I strongly suspect that the earlier "look see" at a high power amplifier may 
have been Eric's idea.  I also strongly suspect he may have been the one 
that "killed" the idea.  Not that Wayne isn't good at this sort of thing, 
but I think Eric is particularly good at it, and that this is a big part of 
his job description.

Anyway, suggestions from us are probably often helpful additions to their 
idea pool, but I doubt that "badgering" them is very helpful at all.  Look 
at how many times they have had to squelch the comments!

Dave W7AQK