[Elecraft] Future of KPA500 & KAT500

[Gmail - George]

Paula Keezer NX1P modified a KPA500 to allow it to be driven to about 500 
watts by a KX3.
She published it - but I can not find it on the web.
The mod increased the gain by less than 3 db (seems I recall 2.something). 
You would need the 12 to 15 watts to drive it to about 500 watts.

The modification involved removing the input pad and modifying the feed back 
loop to the microprocessor.
I thought about doing the mod to be able to run a net with my KX3 if my K3 
quit.
I have a KXPA and decided not to do the modification.
I can just remove my KX3 & KXPA from my truck if I ever need a backup to 
drive the KPA500. Probably 10 minutes work and find the bag of portable 
cables.

BTW - Ms. Keezer's modification was very detailed and she had many cautions 
regarding doing the modification.
It defiantly was not a matter of "cutting a jumper" to remove the input pad. 
You need remove the pad parts and change the number of turns in a 
transformer.

Defiantly would void the warranty and make factory repairs iffy depending on 
Elecraft's policies.
Other manufacturers  I have worked with would restore the amp to factory 
while repairing it.

As a ham you are not limited to the 15 db gain restriction - the 
manufacturer is but not you.

73
George AI4VZ

-----Original Message----- 
From: Charlie T
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2020 9:06 AM
To: 'Nr4c'
Cc: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Future of KPA500 & KAT500

Isn't there some sort of "jumper" or ???, that will increase the gain to 
something other than the ridiculous and prohibitive +13 dB figure,  for 
"international" (wink-wink) sales, sorta like the "MARS" mod in almost all 
radios these days?

99.9% of the chicken band users today are happy with their 5 watt radios.
However, that restrictive and useless  +13 gain law does NOTHING to stop the 
REALLY big guns on 27.025 who typically run amps using tubes that have 
HANDLES on them!
(I've personally seen channel 6 mobile set-ups running power in excess of 25 
kilowatts.)

73, Charlie k3ICH




-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net <elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On 
Behalf Of Nr4c
Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2020 3:14 PM
To: Paul Gacek <w6png at yahoo.com>
Cc: Don Putnick <donnieput at gmail.com>; Elecraft Reflector 
<Elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Future of KPA500 & KAT500

The KAT500 has three antenna out ports. It only needs one In so the KPA500 
needs only one out port.

As for the 10 W in and 500 out idea.  That is prohibited by law. They’re 
only allowed to sell an amp with max gain of 13dB.

Sent from my iPhone
...nr4c. bill



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