I have toyed with the idea of moving up to an amp. My problem is I live in an urban location with houses close together. I am concerned that with too much power I might start lighting up the neighbors' TV's and computers.
I think the best money invested is in the antenna. I got a used 3 element SteppIr a few years ago, paying about what it would have cost for a KPA 500 by the time I added a rooftop tower and used rotor. I have been very pleased with what I have been able to do using 100 watts and that antenna, and I have found only a few situations where power would have helped me. Of course, now we are down in the solar cycle and I am now looking at what I can do to improve low band performance. I am contemplating a 43 ft vertical and a SteppIr DB 18e. I have owned pretty much only Elecraft over the past decade and a half and I have been well pleased with the quality of their equipment. From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Kevin - K4VD Sent: Thursday, February 9, 2017 6:49 PM To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Subject: [Elecraft] Considering KPA500/KAT500 Combo with Flex 6500 Hi... with all the hoopla over the new $7K Flex amplifier I was feeling a little power envy so went on a search for options. I own an Elecraft KX3 and absolutely love the rig quality so I'm thinking about the KPA500/KAT500 combination assuming I'll get the same quality equipment. Is anyone running this combination with the Flex 6500 who might share their thoughts, configurations, hints & kinks? I'm thinking the combination makes sense for me because (my decision points): 1) Being a low power operator, 500 watts seems a lot more manageable than a nuclear powered 1.5 KW setup. It seems like a good, safe step. 2) No electrician required. I think I can run it off 110 VAC already in my shack. 3) If I understand correctly, there is little or no integration effort required. I'm looking at putting it inline with the RF path and adding a PTT connection. Voila. 4) The KX3 is able to easily tune my 600 ohm ladder line fed (via 4:1 BALUN) 80 meter dipole on any band so I would guess the KAT500 wouldn't have an issue. Is there a reason I shouldn't consider this setup with the Flex? The only other thing that caught my eye was the ACOM 1010 which would also require an external tuner. 73, Kev K4VD ______________________________________________________________ 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 Message delivered to gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.com<mailto:gthorn...@thorntonmostullaw.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
