[Elecraft] KPA1500 First RF Review

[W0FK]

I received my KPA1500 late yesterday. Contrary to pronouncements on the forum
by Elecraft, they’re ready to ship. Since I was first to order the amp and
sent in “something special” to Eric and Wayne, I got mine a week before the
established release to the general ham populace.  Sorry guys, looks like I’m
the lucky one this time.
  
I popped on the 220 connector I needed, reset the voltage to 220 on the PS,
and placed it below my bench on a rolling cart. I ran the cable up to my
equipment shelf, slid the RF deck on my shelf and connected the cable.
Beautiful, matching gray to the rest of the K-Line. I connected the cables
to my K3S, and powered it all up. The display on the amp scrolled “Elecraft
KPA1500” and the lights flashed through multiple colors until they set in
standby mode. I hit the switch to “operate,” set the antenna switch to my
dummy load, set RF out to the usual 35 watts on my K3S, and keyed the amp. 
  
What! 3500 watts out?!?! How is that possible?
   
I then noticed a small 3M yellow sticky attached to the side of the amp. I
pulled it off saw a handwritten note from Wayne. “Lou – you got a special
first version of the amp. It had 4 finals in it, and a larger power supply.
We plan on releasing it at Dayton 2018, but since you’re a special customer,
wanted you to be first to own this heretofore unannounced beauty. Merry
Xmas!” 
  
I sat back in my chair, stunned. How can this be? What a great present!
  
Then I heard a noise. I looked at the amp, and the display was flashing, in
bright red, “07:00”, “07:00”, and there was a loud buzzing. My mind raced,
and I heard my wife, saying “wake up already and turn off that damn alarm!”
  
I rubbed my eyes after turning off the alarm and realized it had been a
dream. Looks like I have to wait like everyone else. And no 3500 watt
special.
 
Yet….
   
Merry Xmas everyone! ;-)
 



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St. Louis, MO


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