[Elecraft] KPA 500 Power Amp.

[Rick Bates, nk7i]

For decades, my station was 100 watts and a (ONE) wire for all bands, 
dabbling at DX.  That taught hard lessons, just like QRP. Most call it 
technique.  Then I caught the DX 'bug' and got serious about collecting 
entities; still with a meager station. MORE lessons learned.

Now I have a more powerful station with a proper antenna, directional 
and resonant on each band (and increased tools for testing, alignment 
and measuring).  Because of better antennas (and a new quieter 
location), I hear more.  Most times, what I hear, I work.  Not bragging, 
just super pumped because of the old days stigma (more failure than 
success); better everything made it simpler; hearing more tops that list.

The old lessons, still apply with QRO; the same techniques that worked 
then, still work; it's not about blasting away at the DX (i.e. WATCHING 
the DX pattern, where they are listening, matters MOST in your bag of 
tricks, USE that pattern to be in the right spot to call).  The biggest 
difference is now I can open and close the bands, with moderate success; 
hearing more extends those band open times.

Get in, get logged, move on; my mantra.  Since I've been dabbling at 
Marathon points the last few years (for my DX club points), my annual 
average is ~255 countries per year, even in the COVID shutdown (no 
DXpeditions)... That is more than my total 'score' over 20 years when 
using 100 watts and a wire; every year.

It /could/ be matched in QRP, I just don't have that level of time or 
patience anymore.  I have goals to reach before my expiration time and 
there are other ways to get frustrated hi hi (called 'life').

So it all comes down to choices; DX, contest, ragchew, nets (bleah!); 
meager or loud; simple or complex; budget of any size. The best part is 
that we can all win regardless of those choices.

I presume that everyone does the best they can; with station (building), 
ability and time.  I don't denigrate anyone for their limitations or 
choices (often because of budget) because we're all here to learn and 
enjoy.  Without learning and joy; ham radio serves no purpose to us.

This topic has been thrashed into dust; let's move on.

HNY,
Rick nk7i


On 12/30/2024 11:12 AM, Lee Hiers wrote:
> On Mon, Dec 30, 2024 at 12:40 PM David Gilbert<ab7echo at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> While I certainly understand that concept, that doesn't explain the *many*
> times I've busted pileups using small antennas and low power...when there
> are lots of QRO guys with big antennas calling.
>
> 73 de Lee, AA4GA