[Elecraft] Amp comparisons

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

After much investigation and consideration I elected to purchase the 
KPA-500/F.   Since I have the K3S and now the KAT-500,  I've "trained" 
the KAT-500 for the antennas and frequencies on each band.  With the VFO 
tracking, I dial the frequency and everything follows.

Specifically the KPA-500 I find to be very quiet, it delivers 500 watts 
+ on every band, 160 - 6M.  Drive power is about 25 watts on every 
band.  The fan is quiet and is of no concern even at the highest 
speed.   It does step down quickly as the amp cools. Normally the fan is 
off until the temperature rises.   Using it on FT-8 at 500 watts out, it 
will increment to #2 on occasion.    The input always appears as a 1:1 
SWR to the transceiver.    The high SWR circuit does protect the amp and 
is fast.  With my station configuration I feel as though I have a 500 
watt transceiver, automatically selecting antennas and tuning as 
needed.   I touch nothing but the VFO knob or enter the frequency for 
the next band.   Everything switches silently and automatically.

I come from a line of tube amps in the 1000 to 1200 watt class. Fans run 
all the time.  Power output varies with band as well as drive 
requirements.  Most seem to be optimized for 20M.   My last tube amp was 
a AL-80B and it was one of the smoothest tuning amps I've used.  Power 
out always 1000 + watts.   But it required tuning with each frequency 
and band change.

The difference in power is 3 dB or only 1/2 S unit.    All works for 
me.  I vote for the KPA-500.

73

Bob, K4TAX


On 7/23/2018 8:22 PM, Rick Reynolds wrote:
> I'm looking at upgrading my amp. In consideration are kpa500, spe 1.3k, and kpa1500. Obviously increasing In cost as we gain more capabilities.  Any feedback from the group? I was expecting to see more kpa500's for sale but haven't seen many.
>
> Thanks
>
> Rick NJ5W
>
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