[Elecraft] My KPA-500

[Jim Brown]

On 1/10/2024 3:08 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
> 
> 
> That which works fine at 100 watts might not work fine at 500.

That specially applies to antenna systems, including all the cable and 
connectors between the amp, a tuner if there is one, and the antenna, 
and the antenna itself. With 500W, voltage and current are more than 
double what they are at 100W.

Measurements will rarely help in diagnosing faults. The exception would 
is high SWR measured with high power, intermittent or constant, when 
there is low SWR at low power.  And even with that, careful visual 
inspection is required to find the fault.

Except for the antenna itself, connectors are one of the first things to 
suspect. Has moisture intruded? Were connectors well installed to begin 
with? Are any of the connectors (including adapters) JUNK? If it isn't 
labeled Amphenol or with a MIL-spec number, there's a good chance it's 
junk.

73, Jim K9YC