I have lost the finals twice in my KPA1500.... The first was under warrenty (about 6 months) with PA FET, T/R diodes and input attenuator damaged
The second was just before the two year mark (finals + LPF PCB assy). In addition, the power supply failed once at about 1.5 years due to a manufacturing defect. A bit of my operation is NOT at the most efficient power levels (200-700 watts) for the KPA1500 and I have been reassured (a couple of times) by Elecraft that the KPA1500 is designed to operate at ANY power level and that is not the reason for the failures. I would go higher in power if a P5 and/or BS7 would ever appear. I bought the KPA1500 knowing that I would not be operating at super high power. I wanted a reliable amplifier and having units that I could lift as I have been licensed for 58 years. My previous amplifier was 58 pounds and the shipping cost (69 pounds) to replace a blown T/R switch was heart breaking! Yes, it took a long time sitting on the Elecraft shelf waiting for repair (each time), but all repairs were done properly. I do have a variety of antennas (12 coaxial inverted Ls in various phasing configurations), steppir beam, inverted Vee and keeping them all operating (get some high winds here) is a bit. Hopefully, the SWR faults should protect the amplifier if something happens while operating. 73 Bruce, WA3AFS ______________________________________________________________ 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