[Elecraft] KPA-1500 Power Output Variation

[Andy Durbin]

"I believe that additional attenuation might be helpful if you can implement it without upsetting the RX path, although on most bands 2 or 3 dB extra attenuation wouldn't matter."

Both the KPA500 and KPA1500 have built in drive attenuators (3 dB for KAT500, KPA1500 unknown) but there seems to be no serial command to activate them (only control is internal for over-drive protection).   It would seem to be a fairly simple firmware change to allow the user to activate the attenuator but that would remove a layer of protection from accidental over-drive.

Anyone willing to make a (minor?) hardware mod could activate the built in drive attenuator without impacting the RX signal path.

Like Wes, I'm not surprised he KPA1500 is sensitive to load.  I am surprised that sensitivity is still seen when the load is matched by the internal tuner.

73,
Andy, k3wyc