That's a "linear" amp in name only". Amplifying SSB should only be done on that amp with PEP set below the point at which compression sets in. This of course does not matter on CW or FM, one of the common uses of such an amp. I'd be surprised if that amp would do better than 100 watts PEP cleanly.
Maybe a reasonable question, but your example is far below state of the art for PEP at 160W. Whether the specs are honest or not is another issue. 73, Guy. On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 2:28 PM, Julian, G4ILO <julian.g4...@gmail.com> wrote: > > Don Wilhelm-4 wrote: >> >> Of course it can be driven by lower power. The KPA500 is a linear >> amplifier. If 40 watts in produces 500 out, then 20 in will give 250 >> out and 10 in will produce 125 watts. If the relationship is otherwise, >> then it is not acting as a linear amplifier. The same thing should be >> true for any linear amplifier - that is the definition of linear >> operation. >> > > If it does that then it will be the first linear amplifier I have ever seen > that actually keeps that relationship across the whole of its range. > > Most solid state amplifiers exhibit noticeable compression as you increase > the input power, so you get a lot more than half the rated power out for > half the specified drive power. > > Take a look at the figures for this Mirage amp (selected at random as being > the first spec sheet I could find that proved the point.) It is only truly > linear up to half its rated output. 10W in gives the rated 160W output, but > 5W gives you 150W 2.5W would give you somewhere around 120W. The VHF amp I > have here has a similar characteristic. Although it is designed to be driven > with 5W input I am actually driving it with the K3/K144XV with less than > half that power and still get virtually full output. > > So I think the OP actually asked a very reasonable question. > > ----- > Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222. > * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com > * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html > * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html > > -- > View this message in context: > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA-500-Output-for-Input-schedule-tp6352735p6353030.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
