Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Drew AF2Z]

I owned my K3/10 for a couple of years before installing the KPA3 
internal 100w amplifier. Prior to that I'd never had a ham rig that put 
out more than 30 watts. I found the 100 watt upgrade to be quite 
worthwhile and I've never regretted it.


I've used 100 watts for a couple of years now, operating mostly CW. I'd 
estimate the number of increased contacts to be quite a bit more than 
the 45% figure someone else mentioned. This is based upon my multi year 
participation in monthly club sprints at 10 watts and 100. Also, I did a 
comprehensive power output comparison over the course of several 
thousands of WSPRnet "contacts" (at 1, 5 and 20 watts). I believe you 
can make 2x or 3x the number of contacts by going from 10 to 100 watts, 
everything else being equal.


My antennas are fairly compromised: an indoor cobweb antenna for 10 thru 
20 and a relatively low endfed wire for the lower bands. If you can 
improve your antenna dramatically certainly do that first. But whatever 
antenna you use, assuming it works at all, 100 watts will be a great 
improvement over 10 in my opinion.


73,
Drew
AF2Z


On 06/21/16 13:08, Road Runner wrote:

Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have is even 
at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues making DX 
contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter fan dipole. I have 
been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder whether it will be enough 
of a bang for the buck. I use this at a summer cottage, at home I started with 
a Kenwood Ts-590SG and eventually upgraded the rig with an Ameritron 811H to 
get more punch. I have no problems getting picked out of pileup so now...
So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path to 
KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had gone with more 
power? I am not really too crazy about going all the way to the KPA500...





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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Bob Nielsen]

Has anyone tried using a RM Italy HLA 305 or 305V with a K2, KX2, K3 or 
KX3?  The review in QST a few months ago was positive.  Over 200 watts 
out for less than $700 (not counting an antenna tuner).


Bob, N7XY

On 6/21/16 7:46 PM, a45wg wrote:

Using 15 W out from my K3-S (Max power for your KX3 as you indicated) my KPA500 
pushes out 330 Watts … Why bother with 100W when you can have 330 ??  There is 
however a difference in purchase price $2k vs $800 (aprox) - and if you need a 
tuner that will be another $700.

Sorry to say I kept the KX3 for mobile/QRP and just got a K3S, KAT500 and 
KPA500.

Enjoy your dilemma

Tim




On 21 Jun 2016, at 21:08, Road Runner  wrote:

Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have is even 
at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues making DX 
contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter fan dipole. I have 
been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder whether it will be enough 
of a bang for the buck. I use this at a summer cottage, at home I started with 
a Kenwood Ts-590SG and eventually upgraded the rig with an Ameritron 811H to 
get more punch. I have no problems getting picked out of pileup so now...
So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path to 
KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had gone with more 
power? I am not really too crazy about going all the way to the KPA500...

Sent from my iPad
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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[a45wg]

Using 15 W out from my K3-S (Max power for your KX3 as you indicated) my KPA500 
pushes out 330 Watts … Why bother with 100W when you can have 330 ??  There is 
however a difference in purchase price $2k vs $800 (aprox) - and if you need a 
tuner that will be another $700. 

Sorry to say I kept the KX3 for mobile/QRP and just got a K3S, KAT500 and 
KPA500.

Enjoy your dilemma

Tim



> On 21 Jun 2016, at 21:08, Road Runner  wrote:
> 
> Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have is 
> even at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues making DX 
> contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter fan dipole. I 
> have been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder whether it will be 
> enough of a bang for the buck. I use this at a summer cottage, at home I 
> started with a Kenwood Ts-590SG and eventually upgraded the rig with an 
> Ameritron 811H to get more punch. I have no problems getting picked out of 
> pileup so now...
> So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path to 
> KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had gone with more 
> power? I am not really too crazy about going all the way to the KPA500...
> 
> Sent from my iPad
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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Rick WA6NHC]

With some recent serious study lately for FD planning, including an HFTA 
study based on the actual site used (yeah a serious contester took the 
time), you may also discover that 'common' thinking isn't always correct 
about dipoles over dirt.


Based on that review, with as little as 1/4 wavelength above dirt, good 
things start to happen beyond NVIS (straight up) activity, the takeoff 
angle falls.  At ~3/8 wave, the radiation angle of a dipole comes down 
remarkably, almost to the magic 2 deg level (best chance of DX or longer 
openings).  At about a half wave up, the advantage is less for the extra 
height (less return on the 'investment'), improvements came slower per 
altitude change.  The same can be said of beams but with the added gain 
(Yagi, enhanced dipoles).  At another point, the advantages start to 
reverse too.  It was an interesting study.


If you can get the height and afford the line losses in QRP, great.  But 
if you can't, get the dipole at least 3/8 wavelengths above dirt.


You might consider the JT modes.  While extremely s_l__o___w they do 
very well with minimal received signals (note I didn't say low transmit 
power).  I just can't bear the 15 Q/hour maximum rate (5 minutes to 
complete one exchange).  ;-)


73,

Rick nhc


On 6/21/2016 12:38 PM, Vic Rosenthal wrote:

A dipole-type antenna should be at least 1/2 wavelength high for decent DX 
performance and preferably a full wavelength. An inverted V is not as good as a 
dipole. And the high bands are poor now in the summer and as the sunspot cycle 
declines. So that's one strike against you. You are running low power. Strike 
two. And you are trying to use SSB. You're out.
If you don't like CW, I would suggest PSK, which seems to get out well with low 
power. If you really want voice and DX then you should consider both raising 
your antenna and increasing power.

Vic 4X6GP


On 21 Jun 2016, at 21:31, Eballina <eball...@cfl.rr.com> wrote:

I am feeding it with about 80 ft of coax. Barry I would never dream of asking for the 
"secret recipe"!

Sent from my iPhone


On Jun 21, 2016, at 2:28 PM, Barry LaZar <k3...@comcast.net> wrote:

SSB at QRP levels can be a bit challenging. I do have a KXPA100 and use it. 
However, I only run QRP seriously for Field Day with a group who are doing the 
same with KX3s. We do very well at 5 Watts, but we do have a few acres of 
antennas. I have found two things that make a very big difference, antenna 
height and minimizing antenna system loses.

You say you are running a fan dipole. You don't say what you are feeding it 
with or how long your feed line is. I have a dipole up 40 feet and feed it with 
open wire to a good 4:1 current balun where I transition to LMR-400 to come 
into the house. You may not need a 4:1 balun for a fan dipole, but a good 1:1 
balun. And, this is only needed if you have a fairly long run or want to 
extract the very last milliwatt out of your system. I would tell you what we do 
for Field Day, the extremes we take, but that would give away our competitive 
secret. ;-)

73,
Barry
K3NDM



-- Original Message --
From: "Eballina" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
To: "Barry LaZar" <k3...@comcast.net>
Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: 6/21/2016 2:12:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?


Thanks Barry, up about 30 feetr al top of
of inverted V.  Ends of antenna up about 25 ft. SSB phone preferred but did 
pick up PSK31 Signalink but prefer voice.
Sent from my iPhone


On Jun 21, 2016, at 1:54 PM, Barry LaZar <k3...@comcast.net> wrote:

You don't say how high your antenna is or what modes you are using. However, If 
you aren't already there, I would get my antenna up at least about 35 feet, 60 
feet would surely be better. At QRP power levels, I would focus on CW or PSK31, 
or one of the other weak signal modes. The exception is 10 or 15 meters where 
anything that can be radiated seems to work. The problem is 10 and 15 aren't 
open all the time meaning you are going to need to do a lot of listening on 
these bands if you want to be successful. There is a trick you might want to 
employ, using the beacons that are there and knowing their schedule. Just leave 
your receiver on on one of them, and when you hear it, you know the band is 
open to that part of the world.

73,
Barry
K3NDM

-- Original Message --
From: "Road Runner" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: 6/21/2016 1:08:06 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?


Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have is even 
at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues making DX 
contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter fan dipole. I have 
been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder whether it will be enough 
of a bang for the buck. I use this at a summer cottage, at home I started with 
a Ken

Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Vic Rosenthal]

A dipole-type antenna should be at least 1/2 wavelength high for decent DX 
performance and preferably a full wavelength. An inverted V is not as good as a 
dipole. And the high bands are poor now in the summer and as the sunspot cycle 
declines. So that's one strike against you. You are running low power. Strike 
two. And you are trying to use SSB. You're out.
If you don't like CW, I would suggest PSK, which seems to get out well with low 
power. If you really want voice and DX then you should consider both raising 
your antenna and increasing power.

Vic 4X6GP

> On 21 Jun 2016, at 21:31, Eballina <eball...@cfl.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> I am feeding it with about 80 ft of coax. Barry I would never dream of asking 
> for the "secret recipe"!
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Jun 21, 2016, at 2:28 PM, Barry LaZar <k3...@comcast.net> wrote:
>> 
>> SSB at QRP levels can be a bit challenging. I do have a KXPA100 and use it. 
>> However, I only run QRP seriously for Field Day with a group who are doing 
>> the same with KX3s. We do very well at 5 Watts, but we do have a few acres 
>> of antennas. I have found two things that make a very big difference, 
>> antenna height and minimizing antenna system loses.
>> 
>> You say you are running a fan dipole. You don't say what you are feeding it 
>> with or how long your feed line is. I have a dipole up 40 feet and feed it 
>> with open wire to a good 4:1 current balun where I transition to LMR-400 to 
>> come into the house. You may not need a 4:1 balun for a fan dipole, but a 
>> good 1:1 balun. And, this is only needed if you have a fairly long run or 
>> want to extract the very last milliwatt out of your system. I would tell you 
>> what we do for Field Day, the extremes we take, but that would give away our 
>> competitive secret. ;-)
>> 
>> 73,
>> Barry
>> K3NDM
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> -- Original Message ------
>> From: "Eballina" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
>> To: "Barry LaZar" <k3...@comcast.net>
>> Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>> Sent: 6/21/2016 2:12:55 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?
>> 
>>> Thanks Barry, up about 30 feetr al top of
>>> of inverted V.  Ends of antenna up about 25 ft. SSB phone preferred but did 
>>> pick up PSK31 Signalink but prefer voice.
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>> 
>>>> On Jun 21, 2016, at 1:54 PM, Barry LaZar <k3...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>> 
>>>> You don't say how high your antenna is or what modes you are using. 
>>>> However, If you aren't already there, I would get my antenna up at least 
>>>> about 35 feet, 60 feet would surely be better. At QRP power levels, I 
>>>> would focus on CW or PSK31, or one of the other weak signal modes. The 
>>>> exception is 10 or 15 meters where anything that can be radiated seems to 
>>>> work. The problem is 10 and 15 aren't open all the time meaning you are 
>>>> going to need to do a lot of listening on these bands if you want to be 
>>>> successful. There is a trick you might want to employ, using the beacons 
>>>> that are there and knowing their schedule. Just leave your receiver on on 
>>>> one of them, and when you hear it, you know the band is open to that part 
>>>> of the world.
>>>> 
>>>> 73,
>>>> Barry
>>>> K3NDM
>>>> 
>>>> -- Original Message --
>>>> From: "Road Runner" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
>>>> To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>>>> Sent: 6/21/2016 1:08:06 PM
>>>> Subject: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?
>>>> 
>>>>> Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have 
>>>>> is even at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues 
>>>>> making DX contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter fan 
>>>>> dipole. I have been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder 
>>>>> whether it will be enough of a bang for the buck. I use this at a summer 
>>>>> cottage, at home I started with a Kenwood Ts-590SG and eventually 
>>>>> upgraded the rig with an Ameritron 811H to get more punch. I have no 
>>>>> problems getting picked out of pileup so now...
>>>>> So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path to 
>>>>> KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had gone with 
>>>>> more power? 

Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Phil Wheeler]

Nor would I :-)

Phil W7OX

On 6/21/16 11:31 AM, Eballina wrote:

I am feeding it with about 80 ft of coax. Barry I would never dream of asking for the 
"secret recipe"!

Sent from my iPhone


On Jun 21, 2016, at 2:28 PM, Barry LaZar  wrote:

SSB at QRP levels can be a bit challenging. I do have a KXPA100 and use it. 
However, I only run QRP seriously for Field Day with a group who are doing the 
same with KX3s. We do very well at 5 Watts, but we do have a few acres of 
antennas. I have found two things that make a very big difference, antenna 
height and minimizing antenna system loses.

You say you are running a fan dipole. You don't say what you are feeding it 
with or how long your feed line is. I have a dipole up 40 feet and feed it with 
open wire to a good 4:1 current balun where I transition to LMR-400 to come 
into the house. You may not need a 4:1 balun for a fan dipole, but a good 1:1 
balun. And, this is only needed if you have a fairly long run or want to 
extract the very last milliwatt out of your system. I would tell you what we do 
for Field Day, the extremes we take, but that would give away our competitive 
secret. ;-)

73,
Barry
K3NDM


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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Eballina]

I am feeding it with about 80 ft of coax. Barry I would never dream of asking 
for the "secret recipe"!

Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 21, 2016, at 2:28 PM, Barry LaZar <k3...@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> SSB at QRP levels can be a bit challenging. I do have a KXPA100 and use it. 
> However, I only run QRP seriously for Field Day with a group who are doing 
> the same with KX3s. We do very well at 5 Watts, but we do have a few acres of 
> antennas. I have found two things that make a very big difference, antenna 
> height and minimizing antenna system loses.
> 
> You say you are running a fan dipole. You don't say what you are feeding it 
> with or how long your feed line is. I have a dipole up 40 feet and feed it 
> with open wire to a good 4:1 current balun where I transition to LMR-400 to 
> come into the house. You may not need a 4:1 balun for a fan dipole, but a 
> good 1:1 balun. And, this is only needed if you have a fairly long run or 
> want to extract the very last milliwatt out of your system. I would tell you 
> what we do for Field Day, the extremes we take, but that would give away our 
> competitive secret. ;-)
> 
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
> 
> 
> 
> -- Original Message --
> From: "Eballina" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
> To: "Barry LaZar" <k3...@comcast.net>
> Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Sent: 6/21/2016 2:12:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?
> 
>> Thanks Barry, up about 30 feetr al top of
>> of inverted V.  Ends of antenna up about 25 ft. SSB phone preferred but did 
>> pick up PSK31 Signalink but prefer voice.
>> Sent from my iPhone
>> 
>>> On Jun 21, 2016, at 1:54 PM, Barry LaZar <k3...@comcast.net> wrote:
>>> 
>>> You don't say how high your antenna is or what modes you are using. 
>>> However, If you aren't already there, I would get my antenna up at least 
>>> about 35 feet, 60 feet would surely be better. At QRP power levels, I would 
>>> focus on CW or PSK31, or one of the other weak signal modes. The exception 
>>> is 10 or 15 meters where anything that can be radiated seems to work. The 
>>> problem is 10 and 15 aren't open all the time meaning you are going to need 
>>> to do a lot of listening on these bands if you want to be successful. There 
>>> is a trick you might want to employ, using the beacons that are there and 
>>> knowing their schedule. Just leave your receiver on on one of them, and 
>>> when you hear it, you know the band is open to that part of the world.
>>> 
>>> 73,
>>> Barry
>>> K3NDM
>>> 
>>> -- Original Message --
>>> From: "Road Runner" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
>>> To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
>>> Sent: 6/21/2016 1:08:06 PM
>>> Subject: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?
>>> 
>>>> Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have is 
>>>> even at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues making 
>>>> DX contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter fan dipole. 
>>>> I have been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder whether it will 
>>>> be enough of a bang for the buck. I use this at a summer cottage, at home 
>>>> I started with a Kenwood Ts-590SG and eventually upgraded the rig with an 
>>>> Ameritron 811H to get more punch. I have no problems getting picked out of 
>>>> pileup so now...
>>>> So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path to 
>>>> KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had gone with 
>>>> more power? I am not really too crazy about going all the way to the 
>>>> KPA500...
>>>> 
>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>> __
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
>>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>>>> Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
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>>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>>> Message delivered to k3...@comcast.net
> 

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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Barry LaZar]

SSB at QRP levels can be a bit challenging. I do have a KXPA100 and use 
it. However, I only run QRP seriously for Field Day with a group who are 
doing the same with KX3s. We do very well at 5 Watts, but we do have a 
few acres of antennas. I have found two things that make a very big 
difference, antenna height and minimizing antenna system loses.


You say you are running a fan dipole. You don't say what you are feeding 
it with or how long your feed line is. I have a dipole up 40 feet and 
feed it with open wire to a good 4:1 current balun where I transition to 
LMR-400 to come into the house. You may not need a 4:1 balun for a fan 
dipole, but a good 1:1 balun. And, this is only needed if you have a 
fairly long run or want to extract the very last milliwatt out of your 
system. I would tell you what we do for Field Day, the extremes we take, 
but that would give away our competitive secret. ;-)


73,
Barry
K3NDM



-- Original Message --
From: "Eballina" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
To: "Barry LaZar" <k3...@comcast.net>
Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: 6/21/2016 2:12:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?


Thanks Barry, up about 30 feetr al top of
of inverted V.  Ends of antenna up about 25 ft. SSB phone preferred but 
did pick up PSK31 Signalink but prefer voice.

Sent from my iPhone


 On Jun 21, 2016, at 1:54 PM, Barry LaZar <k3...@comcast.net> wrote:

 You don't say how high your antenna is or what modes you are using. 
However, If you aren't already there, I would get my antenna up at 
least about 35 feet, 60 feet would surely be better. At QRP power 
levels, I would focus on CW or PSK31, or one of the other weak signal 
modes. The exception is 10 or 15 meters where anything that can be 
radiated seems to work. The problem is 10 and 15 aren't open all the 
time meaning you are going to need to do a lot of listening on these 
bands if you want to be successful. There is a trick you might want to 
employ, using the beacons that are there and knowing their schedule. 
Just leave your receiver on on one of them, and when you hear it, you 
know the band is open to that part of the world.


 73,
 Barry
 K3NDM

 -- Original Message --
 From: "Road Runner" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
 To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
 Sent: 6/21/2016 1:08:06 PM
 Subject: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

 Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I 
have is even at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having 
issues making DX contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 
80-6 meter fan dipole. I have been thinking about getting the KXPA 
100 but wonder whether it will be enough of a bang for the buck. I 
use this at a summer cottage, at home I started with a Kenwood 
Ts-590SG and eventually upgraded the rig with an Ameritron 811H to 
get more punch. I have no problems getting picked out of pileup so 
now...
 So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path 
to KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had 
gone with more power? I am not really too crazy about going all the 
way to the KPA500...


 Sent from my iPad
 __
 Elecraft mailing list
 Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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 Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
 Message delivered to k3...@comcast.net






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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Eballina]

Thanks Barry, up about 30 feetr al top of 
of inverted V.  Ends of antenna up about 25 ft. SSB phone preferred but did 
pick up PSK31 Signalink but prefer voice.
Sent from my iPhone

> On Jun 21, 2016, at 1:54 PM, Barry LaZar <k3...@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> You don't say how high your antenna is or what modes you are using. However, 
> If you aren't already there, I would get my antenna up at least about 35 
> feet, 60 feet would surely be better. At QRP power levels, I would focus on 
> CW or PSK31, or one of the other weak signal modes. The exception is 10 or 15 
> meters where anything that can be radiated seems to work. The problem is 10 
> and 15 aren't open all the time meaning you are going to need to do a lot of 
> listening on these bands if you want to be successful. There is a trick you 
> might want to employ, using the beacons that are there and knowing their 
> schedule. Just leave your receiver on on one of them, and when you hear it, 
> you know the band is open to that part of the world.
> 
> 73,
> Barry
> K3NDM
> 
> -- Original Message --
> From: "Road Runner" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
> To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
> Sent: 6/21/2016 1:08:06 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?
> 
>> Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have is 
>> even at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues making DX 
>> contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter fan dipole. I 
>> have been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder whether it will be 
>> enough of a bang for the buck. I use this at a summer cottage, at home I 
>> started with a Kenwood Ts-590SG and eventually upgraded the rig with an 
>> Ameritron 811H to get more punch. I have no problems getting picked out of 
>> pileup so now...
>> So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path to 
>> KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had gone with 
>> more power? I am not really too crazy about going all the way to the 
>> KPA500...
>> 
>> Sent from my iPad
>> __
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> 

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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Barry LaZar]

You don't say how high your antenna is or what modes you are using. 
However, If you aren't already there, I would get my antenna up at least 
about 35 feet, 60 feet would surely be better. At QRP power levels, I 
would focus on CW or PSK31, or one of the other weak signal modes. The 
exception is 10 or 15 meters where anything that can be radiated seems 
to work. The problem is 10 and 15 aren't open all the time meaning you 
are going to need to do a lot of listening on these bands if you want to 
be successful. There is a trick you might want to employ, using the 
beacons that are there and knowing their schedule. Just leave your 
receiver on on one of them, and when you hear it, you know the band is 
open to that part of the world.


73,
Barry
K3NDM

-- Original Message --
From: "Road Runner" <eball...@cfl.rr.com>
To: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net
Sent: 6/21/2016 1:08:06 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have 
is even at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues 
making DX contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter 
fan dipole. I have been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder 
whether it will be enough of a bang for the buck. I use this at a 
summer cottage, at home I started with a Kenwood Ts-590SG and 
eventually upgraded the rig with an Ameritron 811H to get more punch. I 
have no problems getting picked out of pileup so now...
So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path to 
KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had gone 
with more power? I am not really too crazy about going all the way to 
the KPA500...


Sent from my iPad
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Re: [Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Mike Dodd]

On 6/21/2016 1:08 PM, Road Runner wrote:

Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I
have is even at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having
issues making DX contacts.


CW or SSB? The mode makes a huge difference.


So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade
path to KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you
had gone with more power? I am not really too crazy about going all
the way to the KPA500...


With a KX3, and now a K3s, both feeding a Carolina Windom, I have good 
results working DX with only 5W CW on all bands. I just looked at the 
contests page on my website, and see that I averaged 23 QSOs per hour 
over two years operating the ARRL DX Contest at 5W.


100W does make a big difference on CW. In the year between those two 
ARRL DX contests, I ran 100W CW and averaged 33 Qs/hour -- a 43% better 
rate.


Now, I am not an uber contester, and I have only the Carolina Windom 
antenna up about 45'. No beams and no 100'-high antennas.


I found 10W SSB to be difficult and frustrating, both in contests and 
normal QSOs. OTOH, I _did_ work New Zealand with 10W SSB, and we tested 
to see how low I could go. He was able to copy me down to 1W.


I experienced difficulties with 10W SSB on a 75M morning net. People 
just couldn't pull me out of the noise.


Once I bought the KXPA100, SSB operating was much more enjoyable. I 
often can get a DX station to answer me in a pileup after three to six 
calls (good timing helps a lot).


So, my bottom line: 100W yields noticeable benefits on CW and SSB, but 
_especially_ on SSB.


I was never sorry I bought the KXPA100.

--
73, Mike N4CF
Louisa County, VA USA
Elecraft K3s/100
Carolina Windom up 45'
http://n4cf.mdodd.com
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[Elecraft] KXPA100- How impactful to making contacts?

[Road Runner]

Have had my KX3 for a couple of weeks and love it. Biggest issue I have is even 
at 15 watts, unless conditions are right, I am having issues making DX 
contacts. The KX3 is connected to an Alpha Delta 80-6 meter fan dipole. I have 
been thinking about getting the KXPA 100 but wonder whether it will be enough 
of a bang for the buck. I use this at a summer cottage, at home I started with 
a Kenwood Ts-590SG and eventually upgraded the rig with an Ameritron 811H to 
get more punch. I have no problems getting picked out of pileup so now...
So my question is for those of you that have gone the upgrade path to 
KXPA100... Did you get enough punch or are you wishing you had gone with more 
power? I am not really too crazy about going all the way to the KPA500...

Sent from my iPad
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