[Elecraft] KPA-500 Running hot on 20m

[W0MU Mike Fatchett]

SWR is fine.  I have the KAT500 and a SteppIR antenna so that was never 
an issue.  The amp has plenty of clearance around it.  It was rather 
warm in the shack.  Too many computers LOL.  The high speed fan is crazy 
loud even for me that has hearing issues. Maybe will will encase it in 
ice next time...Kidding!



On 1/8/2017 6:10 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Mike,
>
> The efficiency will very from band to band, and is also somewhat 
> dependent on the SWR it is working into.
> I would not think it is a problem - that is what the high speed fan is 
> supposed to do, cool it with faster air, even if that is disconcerting.
>
> A lot depends on your transmit vs. receive time intervals may be. 
> There are a whole lot of dependencies.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 1/8/2017 7:44 PM, W0MU Mike Fatchett wrote:
>> I was running the RTTY contest this weekend and expected to see higher
>> than normal temps but on 20m and maybe 15 the amp was running 65c and up
>> where the highest speed fan would come on. Generally in RTTY I would up
>> the normal fan a couple of notches and it would be fine.   I was not
>> pushing it for full output either as I was not serious in the test.
>>