[Elecraft] KPA1500 finals replaced...

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

It would be useful to know more about the circumstances of these final 
transistor failures.  I have been running my KPA-1500 for almost three 
years, contesting, almost always at 1400+ watts, and, fingers crossed, 
so far it continues to run with my K3 like a 1500-watt transceiver.  I 
often (more frequently than I would like) trigger SWR faults due to 
having the wrong antenna connected, but it always recovers easily.

73, Pete N4ZR
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On 8/9/2022 1:51 PM, wa3afs at nycap.rr.com wrote:
> 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
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