Slava, I have the KPA-500 and an AL-1200 amp.
The KPA-500 is used most of the time. When your working dx all you want to do is get through one time. The KPA-500 does that perfectly for me. Its so easy to bounce around from band to band chasing dx with the K3/P3/KAT-500/KPA-500 combo as compared to using the AL-1200 which requires re-tuning on every band change.
On the flip side if you like to contest 1500 watts probably helps in that you want to be the first call through to a dx station so you can move on to the next qso, quickly.
If I didn't enjoy contesting I would sell my AL-1200. However, I am seriously considering selling my AL-1200 and getting a 2nd KAT-500/KPA-500 to go with my 2nd K3 I just purchased. From a pure control stand point for SO2R a pair of K3/KAT-500/KPA-500's would make things very smooth and easy. Just sit there and operate.
Of course if power is real important and $'s are not an issue an Acom 2000a, Alpha 9500 or SPE 2k-FA would be the ticket.
Rich - N5ZC On 5/7/2014 7:06 AM, Slava Baytalskiy wrote:
Hello everyone! I'm a proud owner of a new K3/P3. Almost there... Can someone please explain to me the rationale behind the KPA500? Why 500W? Is there a tremendous difference between legal limit and about half of it (which is what i hear KPA500 can do)? I understand the ease of use, how the amp follows the radio. I get all that. But why half of max power? Chances are i won't be buying any more amps for the foreseeable future if i get the KPA500 at Dayton this year, so i'd like to know that it will cover everything i need it to (and i have no idea what that might be). I hope this question isn't too confusing. I'm a new ham (almost a year new), so please be gentle. Thanks in advance! __________________ Slava (Sal) B, W2RMS [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
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