[Elecraft] Which Amp ?

[Doug Turnbull]

Dear OMs,
    I have both Acom 2000A and SPE Expert 2K-FA amps.    The advantage of
the SPE is that it is instant on, operates on six meters, has multiple
antenna inputs and does not generate as much heat in the shack.   Its
disadvantages are audible noise which for me is horrific and also I am
getting RF noise on six and ten meters which does not show up on the lower
bands.   Literally I see the S meter go up an S unit in noise when I push
the operate button.   The Acom 2000A is a valve amp and is quiet operating
without electrical noise.   It is more tolerant of higher SWR antennas such
as the SteppIR trombone on 30M - the SPE can generate hash on thirty meters
annoying other hams if I am not careful.   Generally, I prefer to use the
Acom 2000A but for HF DX I sometimes use the SPE Expert 2k just to avoid a
2.5 minute warm up.

     I am beginning to think that the new Elecraft KPA 1500 may be added to
the shack to replace the SPE amp.   I suspect the Elecraft amp is also quite
noisy compared to the Acom 2000A which uses valves.

                73 Doug EI2CN

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Victor Rosenthal
Sent: 24 July 2018 19:11
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Which Amp ?

The manual for the SPE 1.3K found on the Expert Linears website
indicates that gain is 14.5 dB, and the documentation states that it is
FCC approved.

It is possible that there is an internal attenuator that may be disabled
for amplifiers sold in countries that do not have a gain limit.

The comment about the US importer is unfair.

73,
Victor, 4X6GP
Rehovot, Israel
Formerly K2VCO
CWops no. 5
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/

On 24/07/2018 18:14, Paul Baldock wrote:
> One point to note is that your SPE1.3K and the SPE1.5K amplifier I
> owned for a very brief period are illegal 1300W/10W = 130 = 21dB
> gain.
> 
> FCC 97.317 reads: (2) Not be capable of amplifying the input RF power
> (driving signal) by more than 15 dB gain. Gain is defined as the
> ratio of the input RF power to the output RF power of the amplifier
> where both power measurements are expressed in peak envelope power or
> mean power.
> 
> OK, so you like the extra gain for the amp, but importing and/or
> selling an illegal amp is illegal. That tells you a lot about the US
> rep.
> 
> - Paul  KW7Y
> 
> At 07:50 AM 7/24/2018, Bob DeHaney wrote:
>> I'm like Igor, the SPE 1.3K fulfills my needs and it's one package 
>> including P/S and ATU that I as a 78-year-old can easily lift.  My
>> K3 at 10 Watts out drives it to full output!!  That's gain!!  I
>> have a K3, P3 with SVGA and the integration with the K3 is a simple
>> cable and coax.  SPE even includes the connector for making your
>> own cable or the cable can be bought for about $35.00 here.
>> 
>> Unfortunately, the KPA1500 is handicapped here in Germany by
>> horrendous freight charges and 19%!! Value Added Tax on top if one
>> is imported. That tax by the way, is on virtually everything sold
>> in Germany, not just USA products.
>> 
>> Vy 73 de Bob DJ0RD/WU5T
______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Message delivered to turnbull at net1.ie