[Elecraft] KPA1500 finals replaced...

[wa3afs at nycap.rr.com]

I have lost the finals twice in my KPA1500....

The first was under warrenty (about 6 months) with PA FET, T/R diodes and input attenuator 
damaged

The second was just before the two year mark (finals + LPF PCB assy).

In addition, the power supply failed once at about 1.5 years due to a manufacturing defect.

A bit of my operation is NOT at the most efficient power levels (200-700 watts) for the 
KPA1500 and I have been reassured (a couple of times) by Elecraft that the KPA1500 is 
designed to operate at ANY power level and that is not the reason for the failures.  I would go 
higher in power if a P5 and/or BS7 would ever appear.

I bought the KPA1500 knowing that I would not be operating at super high power.  I wanted a 
reliable amplifier and having units that I could lift as I have been licensed for 58 years. My 
previous amplifier was 58 pounds and the shipping cost (69 pounds) to replace a blown T/R 
switch was heart breaking!

Yes, it took a long time sitting on the Elecraft shelf waiting for repair (each time), but all 
repairs were done properly.  

I do have a variety of antennas (12 coaxial inverted Ls in various phasing configurations), 
steppir beam, inverted Vee and keeping them all operating (get some high winds here) is a 
bit.  Hopefully, the SWR faults should protect the amplifier if something happens while 
operating.

73

Bruce, WA3AFS