Elecraft

SS Amp

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Dave-8

SS Amp

I’m trying to decide on a SS amp. I already have the KPA500 and love it but the price for the KPA1500 is a bit above my budget. I am looking at the SPE 1.5K-FA which is about $1000 less. I like the fact that it has inputs for two radios and 4 antenna connections. Plus the power supply is built into the same box. I know the response from this list will be pro Elecraft but any constructive or informative comments would be appreciated.

Tnx es 73,
Dave N8AG

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Michael Walker

Re: SS Amp

What about https://rf-kit.de/en/

I’ve used mine for about a year now.

Mike va3mw

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Dave wo2x

Re: SS Amp

In reply to this post by Dave-8

- The KPA1500 has two LDMOS devices vs one in the SPE.
- The 1500 has better IMD specs and better duty cycle than the SPE.
- The KPA1500 has a separate power supply that can be located under the desk.
- KPA1500 has Ethernet remote capability.

Dave wo2x

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AB2E Darrell

Re: SS Amp

Greetings all,
Depends on your use, if you plan to travel and operate on an island etc, then hands down the SPE 1.5K or 1.3k.
Looks like most on the list are more concerned for a home amp, and kpa1500 is obviously a great choice too. I just received my SPE 1.5K a couple weeks ago, and prior to that had the 1.3 for 3 yrs. For travel the spe means several less boxes to take...virtually self-contained with the 4 autoselect antenna ports, legal limit ATU, and 2 rig inputs, and autoselect power supply ( will detect 120v or 240v like a laptop does).
I have an Acom 2000a also in service at home.
All of these amps work great with my k3, like someone else mentioned dont forget to go to each band and lower power if you have low drive 1.3spe (the 1.5k takes regular drive (25 to 30w on mine).
73
Darrell AB2E
________________________________
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> on behalf of Dave <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 9:23:44 PM
To: Dave
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SS Amp

- The KPA1500 has two LDMOS devices vs one in the SPE.
- The 1500 has better IMD specs and better duty cycle than the SPE.
- The KPA1500 has a separate power supply that can be located under the desk.
- KPA1500 has Ethernet remote capability.

Dave wo2x

Sent from my iPad

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Peter Hall

Re: SS Amp

Folks,

This is an interesting discussion because it's clearly a comparison that potential buyers will do - as I did. In the end, I opted for the Elecraft KPA1500 because I wanted the cleanest solid state base station amplifier I could reasonably buy. I wasn't impressed with the SPE IMD results (at least at the time I was looking) but, that said, I was (and am) at a loss to actually find any published KPA1500 distortion specs. In fact, I find it a curious omission in the Elecraft brochure or manual. If I'm missing a reference somewhere, I'd appreciate a pointer to the specs.

As Darrell mentioned, the more flexible switching of the SPE amplifiers is a definite plus and quite seductive.

Since obtaining my KPA1500 I've been pleased with it and have done my own IMD measurements using the best exciter I can round up, namely my 50-year old Collins 32S-3. I'm generally pleased with my choice of amplifier but look forward to using it with a predistortion system (e.g. PureSignal) once that spreads beyond the ANAN camp. With any luck, I might even end up with a system that improves on the 50-year old 32S-3/30L-1 combination 😊

73, Peter (VK6HP)

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of AB2E Darrell
Sent: Thursday, 17 January 2019 1:43 PM
To: Dave <[hidden email]>; Dave <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SS Amp

Greetings all,
Depends on your use, if you plan to travel and operate on an island etc, then hands down the SPE 1.5K or 1.3k.
Looks like most on the list are more concerned for a home amp, and kpa1500 is obviously a great choice too. I just received my SPE 1.5K a couple weeks ago, and prior to that had the 1.3 for 3 yrs. For travel the spe means several less boxes to take...virtually self-contained with the 4 autoselect antenna ports, legal limit ATU, and 2 rig inputs, and autoselect power supply ( will detect 120v or 240v like a laptop does).
I have an Acom 2000a also in service at home.
All of these amps work great with my k3, like someone else mentioned dont forget to go to each band and lower power if you have low drive 1.3spe (the 1.5k takes regular drive (25 to 30w on mine).
73
Darrell AB2E
________________________________
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> on behalf of Dave <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 9:23:44 PM
To: Dave
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SS Amp

- The KPA1500 has two LDMOS devices vs one in the SPE.
- The 1500 has better IMD specs and better duty cycle than the SPE.
- The KPA1500 has a separate power supply that can be located under the desk.
- KPA1500 has Ethernet remote capability.

Dave wo2x

Sent from my iPad

> On Jan 16, 2019, at 9:06 PM, Dave <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I’m trying to decide on a SS amp. I already have the KPA500 and love it but the price for the KPA1500 is a bit above my budget. I am looking at the SPE 1.5K-FA which is about $1000 less. I like the fact that it has inputs for two radios and 4 antenna connections. Plus the power supply is built into the same box. I know the response from this list will be pro Elecraft but any constructive or informative comments would be appreciated.
>
> Tnx es 73,
> Dave N8AG
>
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
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Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS

Re: SS Amp

In reply to this post by Dave-8

Hi,

just FYI... the articles "Looking for clean SS HF PA w/QSK" in 6 parts on my
blog here:
http://ok1rp.blogspot.com/2018/11/looking-for-clean-ss-hf-pa-wqsk-part-6.html

Talked about:
SPE EXPERT 1.3K-FA
ACOM 1200S
JUMA PA1000
LINEAR Amp Gemini HF-1K
Azden AZR-1000
Elecraft KPA1500
Burst-2000A

-----
73 - Petr, OK1RP
"Apple & Elecraft freak"
B:http://ok1rp.blogspot.com
G+:http://goo.gl/w3u2s9
G+: http://goo.gl/gP99xq
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Raymond Sills

Re: SS Amp

In reply to this post by Peter Hall

HI Gang:

I'm glad that this is not an issue for me. Very happy to be a QRP guy.

73 de Ray
K2ULR
KX3 #211

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Macy monkeys

Re: SS Amp

In reply to this post by Dave-8

Me, too. Long live the KPA500 ;)
John K7FD

-----------------------------------------From: "Raymond Sills"
To: [hidden email]
Cc:
Sent: Thursday January 17 2019 5:38:58AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] SS Amp

HI Gang:

I'm glad that this is not an issue for me. Very happy to be a QRP
guy.

73 de Ray
K2ULR
KX3 #211

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W8JH

Re: SS Amp

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

I have been happy with my SPE 1.3. Most important to me was the ability to
use my 10W K3s or my KX3 to get full output if desired (I never felt the
need use it at 1.3KW on air).

I usually run it at 500-1000W output happily. The multiple antenna/radio
ports are a plus.

It is definitely noisier than my KPA-500 though and seems more sensitive to
SWR.

73,

Joe, W8JH

-----
73,

Joe, W8JH
K3 1713, KPA 132, KX3 7498
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73,

Joe, W8JH

K3s, KPA 500, KAT 500 and KX3 happy user.