Considering a KPA-500
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Hi all,
I am considering a KPA-500... I currently have an AL-82, and am getting tired of all the band switching etc. My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB. I get DB, and realize that I will take a roughly a 5 db loss in signal, which is one S-unit... Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power?? Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so, can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham bands... -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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On 4/23/2015 7:34 PM, David Cole wrote:
> My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 > watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to > 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB. 90+% CW, some RTTY in contests, a few % SSB in NAQP's and SS. I ran a 1200 W amp at 500 W for almost a year before springing for the KPA500. From my end [obviously not the same as "the other end"], I couldn't really tell any difference. Clearly, I don't know about the ones I couldn't get, but I really don't think working him or not working him depends on one S-Unit. I think it depends a whole lot more on conditions, size of the antenna, size of the pile, and especially operator skills. Mine are mediocre. I have no idea how many dB the P3 is worth, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was in double digits. :-)) > Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power?? On CW, I run mine at around 600W continuously. I stick to 500W on RTTY in contests, although that isn't going to make any difference. The power LED's top out at 700, I've been told by more than one field tester that they were told to run "full bars" all the time. The integration with the K3 is perfect, I truly love the "no-tune", and I use the KPA500 to switch bands with one push. > > Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so, > can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS > frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham bands... Don't know about MARS and other out-of-ham band performance. Ask Jack, W6FB. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015 - www.cqp.org K3/KPA500/KAT500 Triband+Wires ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Sound like my cue, Fred. David, I think you will enjoy using the KPA500, although I’m a bit biased.
The KPA will run just fine from 1.6 to 54 MHz, with the exception of the CB Lockout area from 26 to 28 MHz, which is FCC-mandated for amplifiers in the US. I can’t answer your question about going from 1500 to 500 watts (Like Fred, I run mine at 600). I can tell you that with the amplifier I am definitely heard in contests, which is where I do most of my operating. It makes a huge difference. My station is on a city lot in San Jose, which means small antennas. As I said the difference between 100 and 600 watts is that at 600 I feel like I am heard. I am sure you will hear from others on the power comparison and the KPA500 operation as well. - Jack Brindle, W6FB Elecraft Engineering (like I said, I’m a bit biased…) > On Apr 23, 2015, at 9:42 PM, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote: > > On 4/23/2015 7:34 PM, David Cole wrote: > >> My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 >> watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to >> 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB. > > 90+% CW, some RTTY in contests, a few % SSB in NAQP's and SS. I ran a 1200 W amp at 500 W for almost a year before springing for the KPA500. From my end [obviously not the same as "the other end"], I couldn't really tell any difference. Clearly, I don't know about the ones I couldn't get, but I really don't think working him or not working him depends on one S-Unit. I think it depends a whole lot more on conditions, size of the antenna, size of the pile, and especially operator skills. Mine are mediocre. > > I have no idea how many dB the P3 is worth, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was in double digits. :-)) > >> Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power?? > > On CW, I run mine at around 600W continuously. I stick to 500W on RTTY in contests, although that isn't going to make any difference. The power LED's top out at 700, I've been told by more than one field tester that they were told to run "full bars" all the time. > > The integration with the K3 is perfect, I truly love the "no-tune", and I use the KPA500 to switch bands with one push. >> >> Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so, >> can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS >> frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham bands... > > Don't know about MARS and other out-of-ham band performance. Ask Jack, W6FB. > > 73, > > Fred K6DGW > - Northern California Contest Club > - CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015 > - www.cqp.org > > K3/KPA500/KAT500 > Triband+Wires > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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Hi Jack,
Thank you for that input! If the amp were a 1 KW amp this would be a shoe in, but 500 watts as the most power possible worries me for contests, and DX... However having everything run from the K3 would be really nice, I am just not sure it is worth the loss of 1000 watts for ease of operation. That is where the feedback is helping me. I will do a redux of what everyone has sent in a few days, sanitizing the names off of the redux of course. I have gotten a fair amount of private responses from folks, and for those responses I am grateful. The amount of input is good, and is helping me make a decision... I have not looked for an amp for the last 10 or so years, and things have changed substantially over that time. -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Thu, 2015-04-23 at 22:25 -0700, Jack Brindle wrote: > Sound like my cue, Fred. David, I think you will enjoy using the KPA500, although I’m a bit biased. > The KPA will run just fine from 1.6 to 54 MHz, with the exception of the CB Lockout area from 26 to 28 MHz, which is FCC-mandated for amplifiers in the US. > I can’t answer your question about going from 1500 to 500 watts (Like Fred, I run mine at 600). I can tell you that with the amplifier I am definitely heard in contests, which is where I do most of my operating. It makes a huge difference. My station is on a city lot in San Jose, which means small antennas. As I > said the difference between 100 and 600 watts is that at 600 I feel like I am heard. > > I am sure you will hear from others on the power comparison and the KPA500 operation as well. > > - Jack Brindle, W6FB > Elecraft Engineering (like I said, I’m a bit biased…) > > > On Apr 23, 2015, at 9:42 PM, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote: > > > > On 4/23/2015 7:34 PM, David Cole wrote: > > > >> My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 > >> watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to > >> 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB. > > > > 90+% CW, some RTTY in contests, a few % SSB in NAQP's and SS. I ran a 1200 W amp at 500 W for almost a year before springing for the KPA500. From my end [obviously not the same as "the other end"], I couldn't really tell any difference. Clearly, I don't know about the ones I couldn't get, but I really don't think working him or not working him depends on one S-Unit. I think it depends a whole lot more on conditions, size of the antenna, size of the pile, and especially operator skills. Mine are mediocre. > > > > I have no idea how many dB the P3 is worth, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was in double digits. :-)) > > > >> Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power?? > > > > On CW, I run mine at around 600W continuously. I stick to 500W on RTTY in contests, although that isn't going to make any difference. The power LED's top out at 700, I've been told by more than one field tester that they were told to run "full bars" all the time. > > > > The integration with the K3 is perfect, I truly love the "no-tune", and I use the KPA500 to switch bands with one push. > >> > >> Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so, > >> can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS > >> frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham bands... > > > > Don't know about MARS and other out-of-ham band performance. Ask Jack, W6FB. > > > > 73, > > > > Fred K6DGW > > - Northern California Contest Club > > - CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015 > > - www.cqp.org > > > > K3/KPA500/KAT500 > > Triband+Wires > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to [hidden email] > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by k6dgw
On Fri, Apr 24, 2015 at 12:42 AM, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote:
> 90+% CW, some RTTY in contests, a few % SSB in NAQP's and SS. I ran a > 1200 W amp at 500 W for almost a year before springing for the KPA500. From > my end [obviously not the same as "the other end"], I couldn't really tell > any difference. Clearly, I don't know about the ones I couldn't get, but I > really don't think working him or not working him depends on one S-Unit. I > think it depends a whole lot more on conditions, size of the antenna, size > of the pile, and especially operator skills. Mine are mediocre. Well, there's 27 dB between the ears, so it's capable of making 100 w extremely pesky, 5 watts actually work, and in the hands of a total LID, render 1500 watts at a fine station useless. Have seen all of the above and everything in between, the 27 dB is fairly accurate. How come accurate? Because a fine QRP op actually CAN beat out a hopeless LID at 1500 watts with equivalent antennas. That's 25 dB. Need to add a couple extra dB to 25 because you don't know how far down in the hole a hopeless LID really is. LID probably needs a couple extra dB to be able to work anyone at all and get back up to zero. 27 dB between the ears. As to Fred's skills? Come on. At worst he's mid-range for NCCC, and that for sure is nothing to dismiss. He's just trying to sneak in a little rope-a-dope for the next contest, get you off your guard, beat you in the pile when you're not expecting it. 73, Guy. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
The KPA500 will put out 600-700 watts with no problem, so you're not
actually losing 1KW. Unless you're doing a lot of contesting/Dxing on 160, you'll probably not miss the extra power. I know every S-unit helps, but unless you're running an AL1500, LK800 or something bigger and can produce really serious power- the kind that can deliver 2 or 3 extra S-units- the drop from the legal limit to 700 watts isn't going to prevent you from working anything you can hear, especially if you've got decent antennas, at least from my experience. 73, Scott, N9AA On 4/24/15 1:35 AM, David Cole wrote: > Hi Jack, > Thank you for that input! If the amp were a 1 KW amp this would be a > shoe in, but 500 watts as the most power possible worries me for > contests, and DX... However having everything run from the K3 would be > really nice, I am just not sure it is worth the loss of 1000 watts for > ease of operation. That is where the feedback is helping me. > > I will do a redux of what everyone has sent in a few days, sanitizing > the names off of the redux of course. > > I have gotten a fair amount of private responses from folks, and for > those responses I am grateful. The amount of input is good, and is > helping me make a decision... > > I have not looked for an amp for the last 10 or so years, and things > have changed substantially over that time. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
Hi David,
I have a K3/P3/KAT500 SO2R station for contesting that uses two Ten Tec Titan 425 (legal limit tube amps from 1984. I own three, each bought used for less than the cost of a new KPA500. I chatted with the designer, K4XU, at Visalia this past weekend). They're very good quality, not automatic anything, easy to repair because all the semiconductors are discrete and easy to find. I'm a very competitive contester, so if I'm competing high power, I want that 4 dB. I also work QRP in some DX contests, with about 150 countries worked, about 120 confirmed in LOTW. My "most of the time" setup is a KPA500 replacing the Titan. I turn on the Titan for difficult pileups. 4 dB is significant when conditions are marginal -- for example, the other guy has bad noise. The KPA500 is really a 600W amp, and you can run it that way in keydown modes like RTTY and JT65, except on 6M, where I get about 550W. I love it because it is instant on, has the 6M capability, and is pretty much automatic everything. A dit or a tap on the mic does bandswitching for both it and the KAT500. Its also a very clean amp (and so is the Titan). See k9yc.com/FTDX5000_Report.pdf and k9yc.com/P3_Spectrum_Measurements.pdf Dunno about operation on MARS. Ask Elecraft. The KPA500 is a winner. 73, Jim K9YC On Thu,4/23/2015 7:34 PM, David Cole wrote: > I am considering a KPA-500... I currently have an AL-82, and am getting > tired of all the band switching etc. > > My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 > watts. ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
My experience: on 80/160 m it makes a difference. On the higher bands, the ability to instantly jump on a station before the zoo opens up is worth more than the 5 dB.
Vic 4X6GP/K2VCO Sent from my phone > On Apr 24, 2015, at 8:35 AM, David Cole <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Hi Jack, > Thank you for that input! If the amp were a 1 KW amp this would be a > shoe in, but 500 watts as the most power possible worries me for > contests, and DX... However having everything run from the K3 would be > really nice, I am just not sure it is worth the loss of 1000 watts for > ease of operation. That is where the feedback is helping me. > > I will do a redux of what everyone has sent in a few days, sanitizing > the names off of the redux of course. > > I have gotten a fair amount of private responses from folks, and for > those responses I am grateful. The amount of input is good, and is > helping me make a decision... > > I have not looked for an amp for the last 10 or so years, and things > have changed substantially over that time. > -- > Thanks and 73's, > For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: > www.nk7z.net > for MixW support see; > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info > for Dopplergram information see: > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info > for MM-SSTV see: > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info > > >> On Thu, 2015-04-23 at 22:25 -0700, Jack Brindle wrote: >> Sound like my cue, Fred. David, I think you will enjoy using the KPA500, although I’m a bit biased. >> The KPA will run just fine from 1.6 to 54 MHz, with the exception of the CB Lockout area from 26 to 28 MHz, which is FCC-mandated for amplifiers in the US. >> I can’t answer your question about going from 1500 to 500 watts (Like Fred, I run mine at 600). I can tell you that with the amplifier I am definitely heard in contests, which is where I do most of my operating. It makes a huge difference. My station is on a city lot in San Jose, which means small antennas. As I >> said the difference between 100 and 600 watts is that at 600 I feel like I am heard. >> >> I am sure you will hear from others on the power comparison and the KPA500 operation as well. >> >> - Jack Brindle, W6FB >> Elecraft Engineering (like I said, I’m a bit biased…) >> >>> On Apr 23, 2015, at 9:42 PM, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote: >>> >>> On 4/23/2015 7:34 PM, David Cole wrote: >>> >>>> My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 >>>> watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to >>>> 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB. >>> >>> 90+% CW, some RTTY in contests, a few % SSB in NAQP's and SS. I ran a 1200 W amp at 500 W for almost a year before springing for the KPA500. From my end [obviously not the same as "the other end"], I couldn't really tell any difference. Clearly, I don't know about the ones I couldn't get, but I really don't think working him or not working him depends on one S-Unit. I think it depends a whole lot more on conditions, size of the antenna, size of the pile, and especially operator skills. Mine are mediocre. >>> >>> I have no idea how many dB the P3 is worth, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was in double digits. :-)) >>> >>>> Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power?? >>> >>> On CW, I run mine at around 600W continuously. I stick to 500W on RTTY in contests, although that isn't going to make any difference. The power LED's top out at 700, I've been told by more than one field tester that they were told to run "full bars" all the time. >>> >>> The integration with the K3 is perfect, I truly love the "no-tune", and I use the KPA500 to switch bands with one push. >>>> >>>> Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so, >>>> can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS >>>> frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham bands... >>> >>> Don't know about MARS and other out-of-ham band performance. Ask Jack, W6FB. >>> >>> 73, >>> >>> Fred K6DGW >>> - Northern California Contest Club >>> - CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015 >>> - www.cqp.org >>> >>> K3/KPA500/KAT500 >>> Triband+Wires >>> >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> Elecraft mailing list >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>> Post: mailto:[hidden email] >>> >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>> Message delivered to [hidden email] >> > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
I went from a single 3-500 (850 Watts) to the KPA500 and have been quite
pleased with the change. I am mostly a rag chewer on 75 and 40 never experienced any differences in my signal reports. Granted, the 500 is not a rock crusher - but, it is sure handy to use. Basically, it turns the K3 into a 500 Watt XCVR - providing you have the KAT500 in the lineup (which I do). Bill W2BLC K-Line ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
I just purchased it this month and used to use my Hammarlund XL-One. So far, I have not been disappointed and can work anything I hear.
I love the no tune and auto band switching. I will be comparing reports between both of my amps over the next few days. Best, Brian W2BRM NY > On Apr 23, 2015, at 10:34 PM, David Cole <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Hi all, > > I am considering a KPA-500... I currently have an AL-82, and am getting > tired of all the band switching etc. > > My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 > watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to > 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB. > > I get DB, and realize that I will take a roughly a 5 db loss in signal, > which is one S-unit... > > Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power?? > > Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so, > can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS > frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham bands... > > -- > Thanks and 73's, > For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: > www.nk7z.net > for MixW support see; > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info > for Dopplergram information see: > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info > for MM-SSTV see: > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
Hi Dave,
If you have the money and the space why not keep both. A little bit of antenna switching and you can have a choice between 2 amps. As an adjunct to a legal limit amp the KPA500 is wonderful. While the big amp is warming up you can be working stations. For a quick band change to work a spotted station you can quickly work him and get back to your previous band. I have used my KPA500 working heavy duty contest RTTY at 500 watts. The cooling is perfect. If you're running stations in a continuous stream the fan speed will ramp up to 5 and then periodically hit top speed (6). When in speed 6 it will cool the amp quickly back to the speed 5 level. The only problem I see with this is fan noise. Speed 5 is loud. Speed 6 is really loud. Casual RTTY, or search and pounce contest RTTY, even at 600 watts probably won't push the fan above speed 4. Speed 4 is relatively quiet. 73, Mike K2MK
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In reply to this post by w2brm
Most of the legal limit stations from over there (US) A
Easy to hear. The issue generally is they are rather wide. The ones I have worked running the k-line are generally just as loud but nowhere near as wide. In a contest I admit I dont like to work a dirty signal and if they encroach on me too much I move and ignore them. I have over the years ran a lot of gear but never held onto anything as long as my k-line and it aint going anywhere even though the k3 is a little poorly right now. Ymmv of course 73 On 24/04/2015 9:48 PM, "Brian R. Malone" <[hidden email]> wrote: > I just purchased it this month and used to use my Hammarlund XL-One. So > far, I have not been disappointed and can work anything I hear. > I love the no tune and auto band switching. > I will be comparing reports between both of my amps over the next few days. > Best, > Brian > W2BRM > NY > > > > > On Apr 23, 2015, at 10:34 PM, David Cole <[hidden email]> wrote: > > > > Hi all, > > > > I am considering a KPA-500... I currently have an AL-82, and am getting > > tired of all the band switching etc. > > > > My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 > > watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to > > 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB. > > > > I get DB, and realize that I will take a roughly a 5 db loss in signal, > > which is one S-unit... > > > > Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power?? > > > > Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so, > > can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS > > frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham bands... > > > > -- > > Thanks and 73's, > > For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: > > www.nk7z.net > > for MixW support see; > > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info > > for Dopplergram information see: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info > > for MM-SSTV see: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to [hidden email] > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] > Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by w2brm
I know this'll sound like a broken record ( does anyone even remember what
that means? ), but if you're 20 over S-9 at a kilowatt, you'll still be S-5 at 100 milliwatts. Obviously not a pile-up buster signal, but I think we sometimes loose track of just how much or how little power is actually required to communicate. That said, in my opinion, if you're gonna run an amp, go for max if you have the room, and/or the budget. Chas ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Gary Gregory-2
Hi Brian,
Thank you for that info, especially from a DX station! Right now I am trying to balance ease of operation between the 1.5 KW I now have... This sort of input helps a lot! -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Fri, 2015-04-24 at 22:14 +1000, Gary Gregory wrote: > Most of the legal limit stations from over there (US) A > Easy to hear. The issue generally is they are rather wide. > The ones I have worked running the k-line are generally just as loud > but nowhere near as wide. > In a contest I admit I dont like to work a dirty signal and if they > encroach on me too much I move and ignore them. > I have over the years ran a lot of gear but never held onto anything > as long as my k-line and it aint going anywhere even though the k3 is > a little poorly right now. > > Ymmv of course > > 73 > > On 24/04/2015 9:48 PM, "Brian R. Malone" > <[hidden email]> wrote: > I just purchased it this month and used to use my Hammarlund > XL-One. So far, I have not been disappointed and can work > anything I hear. > I love the no tune and auto band switching. > I will be comparing reports between both of my amps over the > next few days. > Best, > Brian > W2BRM > NY > > > > > On Apr 23, 2015, at 10:34 PM, David Cole <[hidden email]> > wrote: > > > > Hi all, > > > > I am considering a KPA-500... I currently have an AL-82, > and am getting > > tired of all the band switching etc. > > > > My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of > only 500 > > watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from > 1500 watts to > > 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some > SSB. > > > > I get DB, and realize that I will take a roughly a 5 db loss > in signal, > > which is one S-unit... > > > > Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at > full power?? > > > > Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 > watts, and if so, > > can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 > operate on MARS > > frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham > bands... > > > > -- > > Thanks and 73's, > > For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: > > www.nk7z.net > > for MixW support see; > > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info > > for Dopplergram information see: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info > > for MM-SSTV see: > > http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info > > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list: > http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to [hidden email] > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: > http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
Hi Dave,
I am a DXer and contester. I have both a KPA-500 and a 2000A mounted on a shelf in my basement, about 3' below my feet in the shack. With one switch next to a K3 I can select which amp. Almost all of the time I use the KPA-500. It takes care of my needs especially on the upper bands. Sometimes on 80 and 160M if signals are marginal, there does seem to be a difference. If I find something or see something called out that I "need" on the low bands and they have a Q5 signal I just use the KPA500 to work them. If the signal is marginal I turn on the 2000A. I may get lucky with the KPA500. But many times as soon as I switch over to the 2000A I work the station. A few months ago I ran a test on 75M SSB comparing the KPA500 to the 2000A. I worked a couple dozen Europeans. Those that had a good signal on my end seemed to hear little difference on their end hearing me with either amp. With stations that were quite weak they could tell the difference when I switched amps. They said my signal went from tough copy to readable. By the way it is nice having a back-up amp. You never know........ Now if we only had the KPA-1500 I would need only one amp. :-) 73, N2TK, Tony -----Original Message----- From: Elecraft [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of David Cole Sent: Thursday, April 23, 2015 10:35 PM To: [hidden email] Subject: [Elecraft] Considering a KPA-500 Hi all, I am considering a KPA-500... I currently have an AL-82, and am getting tired of all the band switching etc. My only real issue with the KPA-500 is the output power of only 500 watts. Just how much of a hit will I take by going from 1500 watts to 500 watts... I chase DX, via RTTY and CW mostly, and some SSB. I get DB, and realize that I will take a roughly a 5 db loss in signal, which is one S-unit... Will the KPA-500 take key down for 10 or more minutes at full power?? Is there anyone on here that has gone from 1500 to 500 watts, and if so, can you tell me a bit about it? How does the LPA-500 operate on MARS frequencies? They are all over the place, not in ham bands... -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
I seem to have missed the original post. My 2-cents:
I used a Drake L-4B (2 X 3-500Z) for years. It worked fine, was robust, instant-on and would tune the WARC bands and was a pretty good antenna tuner as well. What it didn't do was cover 160-meters. I don't contest, but am an avid DXer, albeit one with a fairly modest station antenna wise. Since I'm up in years and still three away from the top of the DXCC Honor Roll, with no prospect of ever getting there, (except for VK0 later this year and ARRL coming to their senses and deleting Mt. Athos) I decided that I would chase (HF) 9-band DXCC. Thus I needed something that covers 160. I considered another tube amp but most of interest have a warm up time. After running an 8877 on two-meter EME, years ago I remember the seeming interminable waiting time and didn't want to go through that again. After a whole lot of agony and consideration of the alternatives, I rationalized that I could make up for the drop in power with antenna and transmission line improvements. In my case this is possible, if you're already there, then the power drop might be a deal breaker. So, I have a new KPA500 and KAT500. Against all of my principles, I actually bought a tri-band beam to replace the HB 20-meter monobander and wire dipoles. I have some other antennas in work and 7/8" Heliax replaced the RG8. Hopefully, the KAT500 is a stopgap and can be removed later. So I'm looking for fractions of a dB here and there to add up to the power difference. In addition, the convenience factor is wonderful. No regrets here. Wes N7WS ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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HI all,
Many thanks to all for your input on this... I am now looking around for used amps to see what the price ranges are. I got lots of private email, and it was interesting to hear each person's input on this. I think I thanked everyone in private emails, but if i missed you please forgive me, and THANK YOU! I am now in absorb mode, where I take all the input and think about it for a few days... In the meantime if you have more input please send off list... THANK YOU ALL AGAIN! -- Thanks and 73's, For equipment, and software setups and reviews see: www.nk7z.net for MixW support see; http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info for Dopplergram information see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info for MM-SSTV see: http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info On Fri, 2015-04-24 at 07:33 -0700, Wes (N7WS) wrote: > I seem to have missed the original post. My 2-cents: > > I used a Drake L-4B (2 X 3-500Z) for years. It worked fine, was robust, > instant-on and would tune the WARC bands and was a pretty good antenna tuner as > well. What it didn't do was cover 160-meters. I don't contest, but am an avid > DXer, albeit one with a fairly modest station antenna wise. Since I'm up in > years and still three away from the top of the DXCC Honor Roll, with no prospect > of ever getting there, (except for VK0 later this year and ARRL coming to their > senses and deleting Mt. Athos) I decided that I would chase (HF) 9-band DXCC. > Thus I needed something that covers 160. > > I considered another tube amp but most of interest have a warm up time. After > running an 8877 on two-meter EME, years ago I remember the seeming interminable > waiting time and didn't want to go through that again. After a whole lot of > agony and consideration of the alternatives, I rationalized that I could make up > for the drop in power with antenna and transmission line improvements. In my > case this is possible, if you're already there, then the power drop might be a > deal breaker. > > So, I have a new KPA500 and KAT500. Against all of my principles, I actually > bought a tri-band beam to replace the HB 20-meter monobander and wire dipoles. I > have some other antennas in work and 7/8" Heliax replaced the RG8. Hopefully, > the KAT500 is a stopgap and can be removed later. So I'm looking for fractions > of a dB here and there to add up to the power difference. In addition, the > convenience factor is wonderful. No regrets here. > > Wes N7WS > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[hidden email] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [hidden email] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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> I am now in absorb mode, where I take all the input and think about it > for a few days... This will NOT help you in any way, but I'm offering it up merely as a point of humor, because I know some of you can identify with it and get a chuckle. I upgraded from a Johnson Thunderbolt to the KPA and I love it. I may have lost a few watts, but not very much. I don't push my KPA at all, but love it. The lack of warm up time and lack of having to tune it make up for about 6 db of effort. Of course, the KAT has to be used on some of the bands that don't have specific antennas. I've got QSK at my fingertips and instant band change, with no warm up at all. I love it, and so does my TS-590. No, I don't have a K3 or K anything else. Gary -- http://ag0n.net 3055: http://ag0n.net/irlp/3055 NodeOp Help Page: http://ag0n.net/irlp ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by Wes (N7WS)
N7WS wrote:
> So I'm looking for fractions of a dB here and there >to add up to the power difference. "Take care of the millibels, and the decibels will take care of themselves." 73 from Ian GM3SEK ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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In reply to this post by NK7Z
I would really like for every ham to go with 500W. It would sure make
my day. I used to have a very competitive DX station back in ILL and busted my hump to get every 1/2 db improvement, 1db opens a whole new world of signals out of the noise. Proven fact and QST articles were written about it years ago. Look up station design for DX in the QST archives. When the DX station is in a third world country with a S5 to S9 noise level and your pumping out a great 500w and your signal is S5, you are out of luck, the guy running 1500 has a good chance, as his signal will be over the noise level. Now consider that 1000 of your buddies are also running 1500 and are all say S9.. operator skill and luck play a big part of getting through, but if your station is optimized for every DB you may have a better antenna, less loss feedline, etc etc and be 3DB better than the others calling, your chances being a good operator are now in the top 10 percent. Depends on how competitive you are and what your goals are, Is 500 enough? yes to talk to your buddies a few states away, or contest in SS or FD etc. but its not near enough if you want to work em all. And thats my goal to work em all, Did that from ILL and currently at 333 countries with just a zepp antenna from KH6, and no 500 watts will not get it done. Operator is a major key, but DB in the operators hands is a tool you cannot afford to give up. 73 Merv K9FD/KH6 > Hi Brian, > Thank you for that info, especially from a DX station! Right now I am > trying to balance ease of operation between the 1.5 KW I now have... > This sort of input helps a lot! ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[hidden email] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [hidden email] |
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