[Amps] KPA1500 in QSK mode

[Bob Wilson, N6TV]

Mickey,

I just used a pair of KPA1500s in the California QSO Party, full bore, CW
only, for 24 hours.  The performance was solid, no glitches.  QSK was
silent and fast, so it's safe to use a K3 transceiver in CW QRQ mode (about
4.3 ms PTT to RF delay, maximum QSK performance).  Fan noise was not a
problem while wearing David Clark headphones.  I manually set the fan level
to a minimum value of 2 (out of 5) which is pretty loud, but it kept the
temperature below 62°C, so the amp. never kicked into a higher fan speed.
I'm running a beta version of the firmware (1.78).

Though I use two K3s, the KPA1500 amp/tuner combo. can automatically track
your 6600M frequency (see the USB Cables section in the Flex Manual).  You
can use the XCVR SERIAL port on the KPA1500 for this. The S-BOX
<https://bit.ly/S-BOX> makes that connection easy using standard serial and
TRS cables, no custom cables required.  (The S-BOX can also do this for SPE
and ACOM amps).

My Alpha 87As are now for sale.

73,
Bob, N6TV

On Mon, Oct 8, 2018 at 5:28 AM Mickey Baker <n4mb at arrl.net> wrote:

> I have a fairly new 6600M and once had the PowerGenius on order, but
> cancelled after it was delayed and my transceiver was ready.
>
> I'm thinking that the Elecraft KPA1500 is the only full power solid state
> amp with qsk that can replace my AL1500 with QSK5.
>
> Thoughts from the group?
>
> Mickey Baker, N4MB
> Fort Lauderdale, FL
> *“Tell me, and I will listen. Show me, and I will understand. Involve me,
> and I will learn.” *Teton Lakota, American Indian Saying.
>