[Elecraft] KPA1500 in 160 Contest

[K9MA]

While my K3 seems to have some issues on other bands, it performed 
flawlessly this weekend on 160. While the SWR of my antenna ranges up to 
2:1, the internal ATU kept it below 1.2 across the band. The output 
remained between 1400 and 1500 W across the band, and didn't drop 
significantly as the temperature rose. The current was quite high, 54-56 
A, and the temperature stabilized at about 70 C during long runs.

On other bands, I've noticed a drop in output as the temperature rose, 
and the ATU doesn't always keep the SWR that low. While I can't rule out 
something changing in the antennas, it has happened with several 
antennas, and I've never seen any fluctuation in SWR of any of them. I 
don't have a dummy load capable of a long term test, but surely Elecraft 
has run such tests. It would be interesting to see the results of a long 
term test with, say, a 2:1 load SWR.


73,

Scott K9MA

-- 
Scott  K9MA

k9ma at sdellington.us