You can read the detailed description at the link I gave. In fact, it claims to have "active bias for improved SSB linearity." So it is definitely intended for SSB use.
I agree that a graph of output power vs. input power should be a straight line. But I don't believe there is a "linear amplifier" out there in the real world, particularly a solid state one, where that is actually remotely true. The practical answer may be less how much non-linearity is acceptable so much as how much linearity the state of the art is capable of within the acceptable price range. So I think Stan WB2LQF deserved a better answer to his request for an "output for input" schedule than the statement that it was a linear relationship. If Elecraft is indeed claiming the relationship between input and output of the KPA500 is perfectly linear then let them say it. Otherwise I don't believe it. Peter Wollan-2 wrote: > > Perhaps that Mirage amp is intended for FM? Not all amps need to be > linear. > > Peter W0LLN > > > On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 2:02 PM, Wes Stewart <n...@yahoo.com> wrote: >> Then by definition, they aren't linear. >> >> A graph of output power vs. input power should be a straight line. It it >> isn't then it's non-linear. The practical question is how much >> non-linearity is acceptable. >> >> --- On Wed, 5/11/11, Julian, G4ILO <julian.g4...@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> >>> If it does that then it will be the first linear amplifier >>> I have ever seen >>> that actually keeps that relationship across the whole of >>> its range. >>> >>> Most solid state amplifiers exhibit noticeable compression >>> as you increase >>> the input power, so you get a lot more than half the rated >>> power out for >>> half the specified drive power. >>> >>> Take a look at the figures for this Mirage amp (selected at >>> random as being >>> the first spec sheet I could find that proved the point.) >>> It is only truly >>> linear up to half its rated output. 10W in gives the rated >>> 160W output, but >>> 5W gives you 150W 2.5W would give you somewhere around >>> 120W. The VHF amp I >>> have here has a similar characteristic. Although it is >>> designed to be driven >>> with 5W input I am actually driving it with the K3/K144XV >>> with less than >>> half that power and still get virtually full output. >>> >>> So I think the OP actually asked a very reasonable >>> question. >>> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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 > ----- Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392 K3 #222. * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA-500-Output-for-Input-schedule-tp6352735p6353364.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
