[Elecraft] KPA1500 RELIABILITY

[Bob Perkins]

I've owned a KPA1500 for 13 months now, and am very pleased.  After being a
ham for 59 years, I've used several both tube and solid state amps.  Today
in my shack, I have 3 amplifiers, and all three are solid state/LDMOS
units, including a Palstar and a Flex.  The KPA1500 is hands down my
preferred "go-to" amplifier out of these three.

Before I ordered the KPA1500, I had an Alpha 9500 on order. After reading
about so many problems others had with it, I cancelled that order and went
for the KPA1500.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both types of amplifiers, as we
all already know.  Someday, I may have trouble with my 1500, but so far,
I'm very pleased. I use it on SSB, CW, and most all of the HF digital
modes.  I do always insure the amplifier tuner is engaged and tuned at low
drive power before switching to the higher power.