[Elecraft] Linear thoughts

[w7aqk]

This debate seems to get resurrected a lot.  I think the reason for that is 
more philosophical than technical.  Clearly 1 KW is better than 500 watts, 
at least in many cases.  The question really is, do you actually need it, 
and can you make that leap practically.  Answers to those questions will be 
all over the board.

I run 500 watts because it is practical.  I don't have a 1 ton brick to deal 
with, I didn't have to re-wire my shack, the lights don't dim when I go key 
down, and I don't apparently have RFI problems.  I also only had to give up 
one arm and one leg (not both) to accomplish that financially--the cost/watt 
seems to go up significantly above that.  If all those factors were 
neutralized, I might run 1 KW too!

500 watts is a lot of power!  It gives me 60% of the maximum gain I can 
achieve legally (1 S unit down).  1 S unit is nothing to sneeze at, but I 
find that, usually, if I can hear them I can work them.  More often than 
not, if I have a problem, It is hearing them.  A bigger amp won't solve 
that.  I could probably gain 2 S units or more, both on RX and TX, with 
somewhat better antennas.  Well, that's a problem here too, but not for a 
lot of others.

Invariably the "weak signal" argument is raised, and it's hard to refute. 
However, I really wonder how often that is really solved by a bigger amp. 
They may be weak on your RX, but the reverse might not be true.  I'm just 
asking, not refuting.  It does seem to me, though, that it is more a matter 
of out shouting other stations.  On the other hand, it may be a matter of 
defeating the other person's noise level.  Score 1 for more power.  In fact, 
that may be one of the best arguments for more power.

Anyway, I don't think there is an answer here--just options and 
consequences.  A bigger amp is not a panacea--just an option.  What I think 
I do know, however, is that we tend to run more power than we need, not 
less.  Still, that depends on your philosophy.  A lot of folks have V8's, 
when a V6 is plenty.  Actually, I have a V8, but it just drinks more gas, 
and doesn't get me there any quicker.

Dave W7AQK