[CQ-Contest] KPA 1500

[Ria Jairam]

Jim -

Saying you can do SO2R with external switching is the same as saying
the amp doesn't have SO2R built in.

As for the cost, SPE amps have it and the 1.3K-FA can be had for less
than the cost of the KPA1500. The PowerGenius XL has it for $1000
more. I owned an SPE amp and SO2R out of the box gave you a separate
receive antenna port which you connect to a common receive antenna.
WU2X/N2QV have this arrangement in their station and it works well. I
don't see even this on the KPA1500. The B26-PA, which is another very
good legal limit amp (kit) doesn't have it either but you can get one
for less than half the cost of the KPA1500 and you can buy two full
amps for about the price of one KPA1500. Both amps do 160-6 (and 4
meters in the B26-PA I believe) and both have 2x BLF188XR LDMOS.

The weight argument for a separate PSU these days is much less
relevant when a legal limit solid state amp weighs 30-35lbs. In fact
it can be a hindrance. But this is my preference to have one box,
which is why I liked the SPE Expert and which is why I am looking
forward to my PowerGenius XL.

JMO

73
Ria, N2RJ

On Mon, Aug 28, 2017 at 1:51 PM, Jim Brown <k9yc at audiosystemsgroup.com> wrote:
> On 8/27/2017 8:23 PM, Ria Jairam wrote:
>>
>> Cons:
>> No SO2R
>
>
> The poop sheet says that the amp CAN be used for SO2R with EXTERNAL control
> of the switching, Duty cycle spec implies that it IS rated for heavy duty
> SO2R CW and SSB, but not RTTY (30 min keydown), so derating would probably
> be required.  There are two antenna outputs, and settings are remembered per
> band per output and with lots of memories to support antennas whose Z varies
> over a band. BUT -- you do have to provide that external control.
>
>> (even if you don't trust SO2R in 1 box, you buy two SO2R amps
>> you have double redundancy in case of failure)
>
>
> Great if you have the bucks. :)
>
>> I don't like a separate power supply.
>
>
> I strongly prefer a separate PSU for two reasons. 1) RF deck and PSU weigh
> less, and are easier to carry. That can be an issue as we older farts get
> older.  2) RF deck occupies less real estate on the operating desk.
>
> My Ten Tec Titan amps are built with a separate PSU, which I put on a shelf
> below the operating desk. I used them quite happily for more than twelve
> years. I've since replaced them with 87As (for band-switching automation and
> no vac relays to fail every few years when run QSK), which I have to have
> someone help me lift to carry or move.
>
> With a pair of 87As on the operating desk, I haven't decided to pull the
> trigger on buying the 1500, but if I do, it will be for the power on 6M.
> I'm currently using a KPA500 on that band, and for instant-on non-contest
> operation between contests.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
>
>
>
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