I imagine that due to the KPA1500's size it requires a higher volume of air than a large amplifier would. Its small size and weight make it appealing. The Acom 2000 has a control box that is separate from the amp so you really never hear the amp run. I am wondering it something similar can be done with the Elecraft KPA1500, perhaps an option like the K-Pod, so that the noise source is further from the operating position?
John KK9A Thanks for the offer, Clay. But we actually did extensive thermal analysis of both the heat sink and fans, tested many different fan types and configurations, and did comparative noise testing of the KPA1500 vs. a number of other amps. As you allude to, there's no magic bullet. Heat must be removed, with various physical and electrical constraints to be satisfied. We have some pretty amazing thermal imaging devices that we use to examine heat signatures of electrical components. These were used during R&D, which is how we determined that two LDMOS devices were far better than one for heat distribution. We also used it to evaluate the design of our very large/very thick copper heat spreader. On the production line, we review all modules for hot spots during burn-in and make sure the cooling is working perfectly (onset temperature, air distribution around modules, etc.). Of course supplemental cooling of various types has been used with amplifiers in the past. I believe we have a couple of customers and staff experimenting with this idea, and anything that emerges will be posted here. 73, Wayne N6KR ______________________________________________________________ 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]
