[Elecraft] KPA500 PA current

[Don Wilhelm]

Harry,

What is your current draw when connected to a 50 ohm dummy load.
Connect the load to the KPA500 directly (not through the KAT500).

That will tell you whether the KPA500 is OK - and if so, you should 
investigate your antenna impedances - measure with an antenna analyzer.
SWR is not sufficiently informative, you need to know the resistive and 
reactive components of the load to determine whether the KAT500 is 
capable of matching it.
The KAT500 has a nominal matching capability of up to a 10:1 SWR, but at 
very low impedance loads, that can break down.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 8/2/2019 7:03 PM, W4HWD wrote:
> 
> On all bands except 20, when running full power out, my HV sits around 64v
> and PA current is stable between 10 and 12A. FAn takes it's time coming on
> and amp just loafs along. On 20, however, even at lower power output levels,
> the PA current is high and the fan comes on and steps up quickly! At full
> 500W out on 20, HV is 62v and current runs as high as 16A! Even at 300w out
> the current runs around 13A, higher than any other band at full 500w out.