>I think an internal power supply for the KPA500 with an external ATU from >Elecraft makes a lot more sense.
I like the remote-ATU idea, especially, if it incorporates an auto-tune feature as well as a means to integrate switched antenna ports. A 500W auto-tuner with say...six SO-239 ports would be great. Those needing more ports? Perhaps an expansion capability. I may have missed it, but I would like to know more about the KPA500's T/R function -- namely, is it 100% electronic with PIN diode switching? Or, are frame and/or vacuum relays used at the amp input and output? A silent, PIN-diode switched amp would be commensurate with the K3's excellent T/R function. Presently, I am using a SPE 1K-FA amp and although the amp is compact and has been reliable for me, the T/R switching function is quite noisy. To deal with the noise issue, I modified an Ameritron QSK-5 and the T/R timing/bias function is now better than the stock system: http://72.52.250.47/images/QSK-5-Interface.pdf Added to the noise is the fact that the SPE's cooling fans begin getting noisy when the PA reaches above 100-degrees C. By the time the PA reaches 150-degrees C, it's as if an F-18 Hornet is taking off from my desktop. If the Elecraft folks can apply their same know-how to the KPA500 as they did with the K3's cooling system, I think few folks will be complaining about cooling noise. Paul, W9AC ______________________________________________________________ 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
