For me it was 1958, age 11. My first station was a Viking Adventurer and HQ-110 (had it for 12 years). Never touched anything more sophisticated until I upgraded (in 1970) to an HW-100 (used it for 12 years, too). In the early 1990s, I got into restoring and operating "vintage gear." I had several stations on the air, sharing an antenna system. Viking Valiant/NC-303; Viking Ranger/HQ-170; Viking Adventurer/HQ-110; Eico 720/730/722 with Drake 2B/2BQ; Collins S-Line with 30L-1; Globe King 500/75A-4. So, I finally had a chance to try all the radios over which I had salivated as a teenager. Today, the only remaining jewels are Globe King 500/75A-4.
With regard to amplifiers, unlike transceivers, you're only dealing with one of two "directions" - output. Issues like efficiency are important but probably more important are issues of clean output and reliability. This is especially true for contest use where the amplifier can be pounded for 48 hours, straight, at maximum power out and greater than 50 percent duty cycle. I am currently using an Alpha 87A and Ten-Tec Centurion in an SO2R set up. Both work well, and work reliably. If I replace either with a KPA-500, it will probably be the Centurion. Here, the KPA-500 has the instant switching/instant tuning advantage. But, it runs half the power. It also covers 6 meter - a band I have never tried, and for which I have no antenna(s). I have no doubt about reliability or service responsiveness when it comes to Elecraft. So, it will come down to how much is instant bandswitch/instant tuning worth to me. And, will I miss the extra few dB in signal strength. I have not even considered replacing the Centurion with alternative solid-state amps from Ameritron, Tokyo Hy-Power, or the one from Italy. Rob K6RB > Ditto.... Except in my case I was 16 in 1963 when first licensed and I > have > less in the way of DXer antennas and much less in DXer skills (although I > am > getting better). The K-line is my Collins substitute. I had to buy an LDG > AT-1000Pro to handle the KPA500, so I won't really have a complete K-line > until the new autotuner becomes available. > > Just worked J48O a couple of daze ago. I know, not big DX, but for me???? > yep it is. > > ..mike AI6II > > Others can argue the tech. advantages pro or con. Some feel they need > > 2 KW. I don't.. For a DXer antennas & skill are more important than a > > few more watts. I like the way it works with my K3. I've had less > > than stellar dealings with the Asian companies. Whether it's bias on my > > part or not I like the idea that it's made & serviced in my home > > country. > > > > On a more human note. I grew up as a new ham in 1959 at 13 yr.s old. I > > had the thrill of at least once having used the dream lines of the > > time. The Collins & Drake lines. I wasn't in the position to own one. > > I am now & I see the K line as the dream line. I now have a dream > > line. There ain't no way on Gods Green Earth I'm not going to live my > > dream. Soap Box over. > > > > K9IL > ______________________________________________________________ > 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
