On 4/9/2011 11:47 AM, John Ragle wrote: > 100 watts to 500 watts is ~7 dB, or just about an S-unit. 7 dB is the > difference between a dipole and a tribander. Clearly there has been a > super amount of interest in the KPA500, and just as clearly, 1500 watts > and a 6-element beam at 90 feet will work to rule. This argument has > been made and remade so many times it is as bad as republicans vs > democrats. I wish Elecraft all the best, but it is just not my choice to > go this route. High leather boots are great in snake country, but so is > a quick eye.
OK, and 100 W to 1,500 W is 11.76 dB, or just under 2 S-units. There are many other factors that determine whether or not you get in the DX log however, and I suspect transmit power is fairly low on the list. Elevation angle of the main lobe of your antenna is probably a much bigger factor. Skill and cunning may be up near the top too :-) When all the KPA500 "announcing" started, I began running my KW amp at 500 watts to see if I could tell the difference in what I could work over time. The only difference I could see was our electrical usage dropped a little on contest weekends [we have one of those smart meters and I can track our usage on-line]. I ordered my KPA500 kit last night. I want to be able to run 500 W with full QSK, which I can't now. 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011 - www.cqp.org ______________________________________________________________ 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
