About six months ago I replaced a Ten-Tec Centurion (1KW) with a KPA-500 in radio 2 position. Since then, I've had a chance to see if I noticed a difference. It's kind of hard to be quantitative when you have so many independent variables (condx, time of year, etc.) but in this weekend's DX test, I used the Alpha station on 20 m and 10 m and the KPA station on 15 m and 40 m. The Alpha station was used on 80 and 160 (where power really does seem to make a difference).
My greatest total of both Qs and mults was on 15 m (KPA band). And, I had a lot of Qs and mults on 40 m (also a KPA band). To be honest, I think if I could have been heard with the Centurion, I could also be heard with the KPA. Would I buy a KPA-1500? In a heart beat. I'd replace the Alpha with it. When I'm not contesting (most of the time), I use the K3/P3/KPA-500. No wait time and it is, how can I say this?, smoother operating. I'm tempted to get a 2nd KPA-500 and replace the Alpha with that...but I know having 1.5 KW versus 500 watts does make a difference on 80 and 160. So, for now, I'm in idling mode. Rob K6RB > Don't get me wrong. I love the KPA-500 for its nearly instant on and > instant band change. But in an event such as this past weekend ARRL CW > (ditto CQWW and other major contests), 500 watts may put you in the high > power category but it definitely does not put you in the same league as > the > guys running the legal limit. > > > > With the advances in solid state devices, I truly hope the folks at > Elecraft > have a KPA-1500 on the drawing board or at least a KPA-1000 with a tuner > (just like the Yaesu Quadra amp). > > > > I'm willing to bet you will sell a bunch of them, too! > > > > Pete, W1RM > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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
