I have both. I've had the KPA500 much longer of course and it's nice.
Small, concise and quiet, perfect for closest stations (tight spaces).
Having the KAT500 (essentially) built into one package with the 1500
watt amp (less cabling but one less antenna port too than the KAT500)
with legal (US) limit is awesome, meaning full range from 0.1-1500 watts
out (with overhead, not straining, don't ask ;-) oops).
Since I moved to strictly resonant antennas, the KPA1500 tuner is being
used only as an antenna switch, the fan noise isn't awful (the 12V 60A
power supply fan on the other hand... wow!), but since that 240V circuit
isn't on the house generator, when the power goes out, it'll be a quick
swap to put the KPA500/KAT500 back into play. It's nice to have options.
With the KPA500, one must still use finesse, with the KPA1500, one
shouts "Mongo hungry; feed Mongo!" (movie reference). I strongly
suspect that the KPA1500 will integrate so well into the K4 it'll simply
be amazing, outstanding, <add your superlative> (I'll find out later
this summer).
Each has it's place, if we ever get out of house arrest and back to
having DXPeditions. My logbook is beginning to sound like hungry
Mongo... band slots, while tasty, do not make a meal.
73,
Rick NK7I
On 7/8/2020 5:08 PM, Eric Norris wrote:
Actually, I have, Rick. The KPA1500 is the second greatest amplifier
in the history of the solar system. It's a BattleBot, a monster, the
doomsday legal-limit amplifier. But the KPA500 is tiny, and so quiet
that I can run it in the same room where the XYL watches TV. My cat
"Bubs" McLovin does not even stir from his dreams of taking down a
Cape Buffalo when the KPA500 hits FAN3.
73 Eric WD6DBM
On Wed, Jul 8, 2020, 2:34 PM Rick Bates, NK7I <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
Then you haven't used a KPA1500.
Rick NK7I
On 7/8/2020 2:11 PM, Eric Norris wrote:
> Thanks, Jack! Now the only question is, is the KPA500 a great
amp, or the
> greatest amp ever? I'm in the second camp.
>
> 73.5 Eric WD6DBM
>
> On Wed, Jul 8, 2020, 1:16 PM Jack Brindle <[email protected]
<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
>
>> I can confirm that KPA500 V1.00 firmware, which was the first
released,
>> had a max temperature of 90 degrees C. This has not been
changed in any
>> subsequent code.
>>
>> As for the input power, the amplifier has improved over time.
My original
>> prototype KPA500 requires power in the range described (about
35 - 40
>> watts), while my new one (just over a year old) needs about 20
or so watts.
>> Both are great amps!
>>
>> 73!
>> Jack, W6FB
>>
>>
>>> On Jul 8, 2020, at 1:00 PM, William Hammond via Elecraft <
>> [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:
>>> Hi Eric, My manual (revision B, 2011) that came with my SN
0149 says 90C
>> maximum, page14 in the specifications. It also says drive
power 30-40
>> watts for 500 out and I have never beed even close to that,
usually 22-26
>> watts drive.
>>> FYI,
>>> Bill-AK5X
>>>
>>>> On Jul 8, 2020, at 6:00 AM, Eric Norris
<[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>>
>> wrote:
>>>> I just read in the current KPA500 Manual that max heat sink
temp is 90C.
>>>> Is this true for my first-year production KPA500? I seem to
remember
>>>> somethink like 75C. I cant find my old manual.
>>>>
>>>> 73 Eric WD6DBM
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