Good to hear. I sold my KPA500 but should have maybe kept it as a back-up...it was a really good amp. It found a great home, however. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V
Very good review, I'm in the market for a new amp and looked at this one but oh-boy, that price tag! I better stick with something cheaper like one of the Acom's for about half the cost of this one. But glad you pointed out at the end how you can be very successful with 100 watts; a few friends of mine are very successful at QRP levels.
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, the KPA1500 is spendy, but aside from the fan noise, I am happy I spent the extra money on it. Doesn't mean it's for everyone...a lot of good amps out there including Acom, as you mentioned. Good luck on your decision and 73! de WX0V
Great videos Scott. I have seen the KPA1500 but never an overview of how it works so your presentation was very helpful. Elecraft is offering $100 off so I just might hit the ‘buy’ button. Dave K6TQ
Thank you very much for the positive feedback. On none of my videos do I ask for a "like" but I do appreciate them when they come in. I hope you enjoy your KPA1500 if you purchase one. 73! de WX0V
Wow, another great, very informative, and practical opinion on RF amp...I guess being a skilled CW operator plays a big role in running "base" foot w/o an amp...but none the less, I too prefer to use as little power possible to make contact, and will only enable my amp, AH-811H when trying to chase a DX contact...thanks for sharing.
I use my amp similarly; almost always just when I am chasing something I need. If I am working a contest (search and pounce), I will use it if the station I am calling is struggling with my signal. Otherwise, I running 100w. Thanks again for your kind words about my videos....73! de WX0V
Thank you for the kind words. Hopefully, this and the other KPA1500 videos here are useful. Elecraft also produced a video on it as well, so check that out, too. Thank you for your comment and 73! de WX0V
Thank you for your comment. From the guy who just got the big amp, to tell others they don't require one for DXing may come across as hypocritical. However, the key is, DXing with 100 watts will likely increase their skill level. Their DX chops will be even better when they step up and get an amp. For me, this purchase was primarily driven by low band DXing...particularly 160m. 500w can get it done, but 1KW or more appears to me to be the way to go on Top Band. 73! de WX0V
You'll need to change your name to "Kilowatt Rob"... 🙂 Next week will complete my 6th year with my KPA1500. Although the fan noise is bothersome at times, I am happy with my purchase. If I were to purchase another amp today, it would be the KPA1500. I hope you enjoy yours. 73! de WX0V
I heard that the KTA-1500 is fully remote controllable, so the amplifier and power supply, and your Icom IC-7610 could be operated from another location from across the country. If you don’t need a remotely controlled station, could you set up the KTA-1500 and power supply in a different room in your house, so you wouldn’t have to hear the fan noise? You could setup a camera and monitor pointed at the KTA-1500 so that you could still see them in your shack, without having to hear them. How large is your 220 volt circuit to run the KTA-1500 power supply? What’s the duty cycle on modes like RTTY or AM? If your antenna is limited to 500 watts, why did you need to upgrade to a higher power amplifier? Maybe you’ll need to upgrade your antenna capacity next! Does high power make much of a difference on CW? High power is almost a must on SSB, especially on 75 meters. Almost everyone on FT8, FT4, and PSK31 uses less than 50 watts. I don’t know how much power people use on RTTY. I’m thinking about buying the KTA-1500 because it’s supposed to be fully remote controllable. I want it so I can get on 75 and 40 meters SSB, which is tough to do with 100 watts. The sticker price is steep, twice as much as the Icom IC-7610! But the amplifier sure looks nice! Those awards you received with only 100 watts were several years ago. I’m guessing that the propagation was much better back then, because were close to the minimum sunspot cycle years now. Thanks for posting the video of the KTA-1500 amplifier and power supply! Dave KY0L
Hi Dave, Lots of questions, so here I go. I could put the KPA1500 (note, it's "KPA", not "KTA") in another room, and others have done that, so it's a valid suggestion, but I'd rather have it at the operating position. I do not recall the specs of my 220v line. It was installed by an electrician before I got the KPA1500. My HF beam is limited to 500w, but my low-band antennas (40m through 160m) can run full legal limit (note; 60m and 30m have 100w and 200w limits respectively). My 20m-10m beam is on a roof-mounted mini-tower, so it requires a tuner. The KPA1500's built-in tuner works quite well for that antenna. Regarding my awards, I passed the 2,000 DXCC Challenge mark with just 100w, and that was up through March of 2016, when I got the KPA500 (Note; my first 1,000 was awarded in 2011...the 1,500 and 2,000 medallions were awarded after that). I sold the KPA500 and went to the KPA1500 in June of 2018. While band conditions are always important for my station's success, I had over 150 DXCC on 80m with just 100w. So 100w can do the job. Yes, the price is steep, and there may be better, lower cost options for you out there; particularly in the used market. However, the KPA1500 does a lot...I just wish it was quieter. I will answer your other questions in their respected comment fields. Thank you and 73! de WX0V
Hello Mohamad...thank you for your questions. The power needed by the exciter to get to 1500 watts varies depending on which band you are on, but overall, I usually use somewhere around 35 watts. I have not run it that high on 30 meters and up (my legal limit on 30m is 200 watts, and my beam on 20m through 10m is only rated for 500w) but on 40m down to 160m, it's about 35 watts. As far as the temperature protection, the owner's manuals says the amp will shut down ("Hard Fault") if the heat sink temperature reaches 112 degrees C. I have not seen temps anywhere near that high, but I have yet to use the amp in a heavy pile-up situation at 1500 watts. Hope this answers your questions. 73! de WX0V
Quick follow-up...I have been using the KPA1500 to legal limit on the low bands of 80m and 160m. It takes about 25 watts or so to drive it to 1,500 watts. Otherwise, see my other comment. 73! de WX0V
Thank you for your comments. With "Q's", I simply abbreviated an abbreviation. Easier than saying "a two-way high-frequency contact from my Amateur Radio station to another Amateur Radio station", don't you think? I have heard some get upset when "QSO" is spoken on SSB. I think those guys need to chill out a bit. For cryin' out-loud...it's a hobby. Fan noise with a signal in the background (all speeds) is found on the follow-up video: ruclips.net/video/T_rG1EJ7Xjc/видео.html 73 de WX0V
The follow up video DOES NOT show typical operation as in a 3 minute CW contact showing how much time it takes the fan to activate. I am not asking you to say, ""a two-way high-frequency contact from my Amateur Radio station to another Amateur Radio station", but abbreviate an abbreviation? "Contact" is English and shorter than QSO, "Q: is just too cool, do you wear "shades" inside?
Re; fan speeds. Please see my reply to your comment on my follow-up video. Also, what is your call sign? That way, if I meet you on the air, I will refrain from using the term "Q". I also promise to remove my sunglasses. ;-)
This video was more in-depth than I originally intended, and longer than planned, but in 16 minutes you get a good idea of what the KPA1500 offers. Thank you for your comment and 73! de WX0V
Yes. The KPA1500 covers 160 meters through 6 meters. I have not used in on 6 meters, but it works just fine on 30 meters (but United States Amateur Radio ops have a 200 watt limit there). 73! de WX0V
Thank you very much! I appreciate that positive feedback. I hope you enjoy your amp when it arrives. Be sure to see the other KPA1500 video I produced: ruclips.net/video/T_rG1EJ7Xjc/видео.html 73! de WX0V
Well, that's a plus of free-market captialism; consumers can decide if a seller is worthy of their dollars. $6K is a lot, but I suspect the profit margin percentage on my Chase Elliott jacket, or the average unit of bottled water, is much greater than the KPA1500. There is always the used market as well, which this amp will eventually reach. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing , let's be real there making triple of what it cost to make. There are amps out there brand new that will do 4000 watts for the same money.
How do you know what Elecraft makes on this? What is your source? I ask because the profit margins on consumer electronics are more often than not quite a bit lower than the 300% margin you are assigning to the KPA1500. When I was associated with consumer electronics, profit margins were generally 50% or lower. Maybe that's changed? Also, who makes the 4000w amp that has similar features to the KPA1500? I am unaware of that product (it of course, would be illegal to use here in the US, but I'd like to know of its existence). If you do not feel the selling price of the KPA1500 is worth your money, and I suspect you are not alone (this is a spendy piece of gear), then simply do not purchase it. Vote with your wallet. In time, if Elecraft has over-priced this, then eventually the free-marketplace law of supply and demand will force them to lower the price (see the Icom IC-7610...a perfect example). Until then, as you pointed out, there are other amplification alternatives. 73! de WX0V
I am sensitive to fan noise (and other noise as well) so yes, it is highlighted here. My other videos on this amp also cover the fan noise so if you watch those, you've been warned. 😄 Thank you for your comment and 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing I know but most of us had figured it out by about the 20 th time you mentioned it. I know it can really get to you, some computers are that way. However as they bring them on as temperature rises it may be a necessary thing.
Agreed, without the fans, good-bye amp. However, if you are sensitive to noise, and are a weak-signal/low-band DXer, these fans will be a nuisance. That is the point I tried to make. There are several owners of the KPA1500 that are not happy about the fan noise, and I wanted to make that clear. Some of the early reviews (on eHam, etc.) made it sound as if this amp was whisper-quiet. It is not. If you are rag-chewing on 80m SSB fan noise doesn't matter. If you are chasing 7X7X on 160m CW, it does. It all depends what you use the amp for. Since this is my video, and my perspective, yes, I warn (probably over-warn) about fan noise (and that continues with my other videos on the KPA1500, which to this date, are almost the only ones produced). Not sure I mentioned it "20 times", however. Thanks for your spirited comments. I appreciate the passion (You Tube flagged them as Spam, but as you can now see, I have since approved them for public display). 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing I have never had amp but am looking for a newish solid state one. The price on this on is to steep for me I fear. I am really spoiled to the no tune idea.
@@TheRetiredtech No tune, auto-band switching, a reasonably good antenna tuner built-in; all desirable stuff. Yep, the $6K tag is steep...didn't want that myself. Used ones will eventually show (some already are) but even they are pricey. Another one to look at is the RF-Kit amp. I have seen it work in person and is a nice amp. Also, if full LL isn't needed, the KPA500 is a great amp (all automatic but no antenna tuner). Whatever you wind up with, I hope you are happy with it. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V -- still a good 12 years+ away from retirement, so I am jealous!
I like the LEDs on the KPA1500. I think they are clean and easy to see in any shack lighting condition. I do appreciate a different point of view on them, however. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing The alignment of the leds is the only bad thing I noticed. Looks like a homebrew solution :) But the amp is amazing. I wonder if you have tested the amp on 6m with full power? I know the RF-KIT amp struggles a lot with efficiency on 6m (at least their first version did) rf-kit.de/
Hi Per, sorry for the delay...You Tube marked your comment as Spam. I do not have a 6m antenna that I can run any power on, so I'm afraid I have no input for you on that. Sorry. Thanks for your comment, and we'll see you on the Low Band page...73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing OK, tnx for the reply. Looks like an amazing amplifier. I am barefoot just now, but soon back on 160 and other bands, when my Acom 2000A is repaired I hope. Had some overvoltage from lightning on the power lines frying a few components on the control board. Have ordered a backup amp with same finals as the KPA1500, but more like a homebrew PA. Its using a rotary switch for changing bands, but I think I can have my FTDX101 control the band relays automatically later.
@@la7dfa I'm just happy you spelled "lightning" correctly! :-) So many people spell that incorrectly. Sorry to hear about your amp...lightning may be our biggest enemy out there...I should do a reminder video of that. Hope to see you chasing DX via QRO soon, like that night we both got 8R1/AG6UT on 160m back-to-back. 73! de WX0V
Clearly, this is not for everyone, so I understand your feelings. However, for DX chasers like myself, accumulating a lot of those 5 second contacts, particularly with rare DX stations (or on a band like 160m), make the amp (or other equipment) worth it. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V
My KPA500 was probably the best piece of ham radio gear I have ever owned. Never a failure in 10 years. I just got the KPA1500 and am very satisfied.
Good to hear. I sold my KPA500 but should have maybe kept it as a back-up...it was a really good amp. It found a great home, however. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing Well we can't keep them all. With a K4 on the way I did sell my 10 year old K3 recently. (Of course still using my K3s/P3.)
@@flattire707 That K4 looks like a helluva rig...enjoy!
Very good review, I'm in the market for a new amp and looked at this one but oh-boy, that price tag! I better stick with something cheaper like one of the Acom's for about half the cost of this one. But glad you pointed out at the end how you can be very successful with 100 watts; a few friends of mine are very successful at QRP levels.
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, the KPA1500 is spendy, but aside from the fan noise, I am happy I spent the extra money on it. Doesn't mean it's for everyone...a lot of good amps out there including Acom, as you mentioned. Good luck on your decision and 73! de WX0V
Did you buy the Acom? I’m interested in the 1010 de N9NY
Thank's for the video Sir. The best from LB1NB Arild in NorwaY
Thank you, Arlid, for your kind words. Hope this video, and my others on the KPA1500 are helpful. 73! de WX0V
Great videos Scott. I have seen the KPA1500 but never an overview of how it works so your presentation was very helpful. Elecraft is offering $100 off so I just might hit the ‘buy’ button. Dave K6TQ
Thank you very much for the positive feedback. On none of my videos do I ask for a "like" but I do appreciate them when they come in. I hope you enjoy your KPA1500 if you purchase one. 73! de WX0V
Wow, another great, very informative, and practical opinion on RF amp...I guess being a skilled CW operator plays a big role in running "base" foot w/o an amp...but none the less, I too prefer to use as little power possible to make contact, and will only enable my amp, AH-811H when trying to chase a DX contact...thanks for sharing.
I use my amp similarly; almost always just when I am chasing something I need. If I am working a contest (search and pounce), I will use it if the station I am calling is struggling with my signal. Otherwise, I running 100w. Thanks again for your kind words about my videos....73! de WX0V
Good video. I have already K3/P3/KPA500. Just ordered my KPA1500. So excited I can hardly stand it,
NK7B
Hello James...thank you for your comments. I hope the KPA1500 works out for you. 73! de WX0V
Good job--well done. Relevant and useful info.
Thank you for the kind words. Hopefully, this and the other KPA1500 videos here are useful. Elecraft also produced a video on it as well, so check that out, too. Thank you for your comment and 73! de WX0V
Nice Amp and also great finals comments.
Thank you for your comment. From the guy who just got the big amp, to tell others they don't require one for DXing may come across as hypocritical. However, the key is, DXing with 100 watts will likely increase their skill level. Their DX chops will be even better when they step up and get an amp.
For me, this purchase was primarily driven by low band DXing...particularly 160m. 500w can get it done, but 1KW or more appears to me to be the way to go on Top Band. 73! de WX0V
The metering/instrumentation is strikingly similar to the alpha 87. Similarly quiet/fast QSK but always noisy because of the blower fan.
Which amp was noisy, the Alpha 87?
@@SuburbanDXing the alpha 86/87 are noisy with the internal blower that cannot be disabled because they cool the tubes.
@@v12alpine Ok...it seems that for the most part, if we want QRO, we gotta have noise...oh well...thank you for your comments and 73! de WX0V
Great informative demo. I learned a lot.
Barry, KU3X
Thank you! Be sure to see my other videos on this amp; I seem to be the only one producing them. 73! de WX0V
I just ordered one.
You'll need to change your name to "Kilowatt Rob"... 🙂 Next week will complete my 6th year with my KPA1500. Although the fan noise is bothersome at times, I am happy with my purchase. If I were to purchase another amp today, it would be the KPA1500. I hope you enjoy yours. 73! de WX0V
de K1XV in Vermont
What a great piece of equipment! 73 de N9NY
Yes, but the fans are noisy. Not an issue with Digital modes, but on CW, it can be. Thanks for stopping by, Gregg...73! de WX0V
I heard that the KTA-1500 is fully remote controllable, so the amplifier and power supply, and your Icom IC-7610 could be operated from another location from across the country.
If you don’t need a remotely controlled station, could you set up the KTA-1500 and power supply in a different room in your house, so you wouldn’t have to hear the fan noise? You could setup a camera and monitor pointed at the KTA-1500 so that you could still see them in your shack, without having to hear them.
How large is your 220 volt circuit to run the KTA-1500 power supply? What’s the duty cycle on modes like RTTY or AM?
If your antenna is limited to 500 watts, why did you need to upgrade to a higher power amplifier? Maybe you’ll need to upgrade your antenna capacity next! Does high power make much of a difference on CW? High power is almost a must on SSB, especially on 75 meters. Almost everyone on FT8, FT4, and PSK31 uses less than 50 watts. I don’t know how much power people use on RTTY.
I’m thinking about buying the KTA-1500 because it’s supposed to be fully remote controllable. I want it so I can get on 75 and 40 meters SSB, which is tough to do with 100 watts. The sticker price is steep, twice as much as the Icom IC-7610! But the amplifier sure looks nice!
Those awards you received with only 100 watts were several years ago. I’m guessing that the propagation was much better back then, because were close to the minimum sunspot cycle years now.
Thanks for posting the video of the KTA-1500 amplifier and power supply!
Dave KY0L
Hi Dave,
Lots of questions, so here I go. I could put the KPA1500 (note, it's "KPA", not "KTA") in another room, and others have done that, so it's a valid suggestion, but I'd rather have it at the operating position.
I do not recall the specs of my 220v line. It was installed by an electrician before I got the KPA1500.
My HF beam is limited to 500w, but my low-band antennas (40m through 160m) can run full legal limit (note; 60m and 30m have 100w and 200w limits respectively). My 20m-10m beam is on a roof-mounted mini-tower, so it requires a tuner. The KPA1500's built-in tuner works quite well for that antenna.
Regarding my awards, I passed the 2,000 DXCC Challenge mark with just 100w, and that was up through March of 2016, when I got the KPA500 (Note; my first 1,000 was awarded in 2011...the 1,500 and 2,000 medallions were awarded after that). I sold the KPA500 and went to the KPA1500 in June of 2018. While band conditions are always important for my station's success, I had over 150 DXCC on 80m with just 100w. So 100w can do the job.
Yes, the price is steep, and there may be better, lower cost options for you out there; particularly in the used market. However, the KPA1500 does a lot...I just wish it was quieter.
I will answer your other questions in their respected comment fields.
Thank you and 73! de WX0V
What is the driving power required by the amp to output 1500w? Does it have temperature protection that shuts off the amp if max temp is exceeded?
Hello Mohamad...thank you for your questions. The power needed by the exciter to get to 1500 watts varies depending on which band you are on, but overall, I usually use somewhere around 35 watts. I have not run it that high on 30 meters and up (my legal limit on 30m is 200 watts, and my beam on 20m through 10m is only rated for 500w) but on 40m down to 160m, it's about 35 watts. As far as the temperature protection, the owner's manuals says the amp will shut down ("Hard Fault") if the heat sink temperature reaches 112 degrees C. I have not seen temps anywhere near that high, but I have yet to use the amp in a heavy pile-up situation at 1500 watts. Hope this answers your questions. 73! de WX0V
Quick follow-up...I have been using the KPA1500 to legal limit on the low bands of 80m and 160m. It takes about 25 watts or so to drive it to 1,500 watts. Otherwise, see my other comment. 73! de WX0V
Mohamad...I am a little late, but here is a video that will better answer your question: ruclips.net/video/G6T7uUgJn20/видео.html
73! de WX0V
Thanks for the review.
You're welcome. Thank you for your feedback and 73! de WX0V
Q's? You are so cool not saying QSO, what did you do with the time you saved not saying QSO? Why didn't you show fan noise during operation?
Thank you for your comments.
With "Q's", I simply abbreviated an abbreviation. Easier than saying "a two-way high-frequency contact from my Amateur Radio station to another Amateur Radio station", don't you think?
I have heard some get upset when "QSO" is spoken on SSB. I think those guys need to chill out a bit. For cryin' out-loud...it's a hobby.
Fan noise with a signal in the background (all speeds) is found on the follow-up video: ruclips.net/video/T_rG1EJ7Xjc/видео.html
73 de WX0V
The follow up video DOES NOT show typical operation as in a 3 minute CW contact showing how much time it takes the fan to activate.
I am not asking you to say, ""a two-way high-frequency contact from my Amateur Radio station to another Amateur Radio station", but abbreviate an abbreviation? "Contact" is English and shorter than QSO, "Q: is just too cool, do you wear "shades" inside?
Re; fan speeds. Please see my reply to your comment on my follow-up video.
Also, what is your call sign? That way, if I meet you on the air, I will refrain from using the term "Q". I also promise to remove my sunglasses. ;-)
Thanks for a very good review,
Best regards,Carl,G0lka.
This video was more in-depth than I originally intended, and longer than planned, but in 16 minutes you get a good idea of what the KPA1500 offers. Thank you for your comment and 73! de WX0V
Does it have WARC bands?
Yes. The KPA1500 covers 160 meters through 6 meters. I have not used in on 6 meters, but it works just fine on 30 meters (but United States Amateur Radio ops have a 200 watt limit there). 73! de WX0V
THANK YOU for putting this excellent video together! Just bit the bullet and bought one! To arrive in 10 days! 73 - KA3YJM
Thank you very much! I appreciate that positive feedback. I hope you enjoy your amp when it arrives. Be sure to see the other KPA1500 video I produced: ruclips.net/video/T_rG1EJ7Xjc/видео.html
73! de WX0V
How much these cost?
$6,000 USD.
@@SuburbanDXing that's outrageous
Well, that's a plus of free-market captialism; consumers can decide if a seller is worthy of their dollars. $6K is a lot, but I suspect the profit margin percentage on my Chase Elliott jacket, or the average unit of bottled water, is much greater than the KPA1500. There is always the used market as well, which this amp will eventually reach. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing , let's be real there making triple of what it cost to make. There are amps out there brand new that will do 4000 watts for the same money.
How do you know what Elecraft makes on this? What is your source? I ask because the profit margins on consumer electronics are more often than not quite a bit lower than the 300% margin you are assigning to the KPA1500. When I was associated with consumer electronics, profit margins were generally 50% or lower. Maybe that's changed? Also, who makes the 4000w amp that has similar features to the KPA1500? I am unaware of that product (it of course, would be illegal to use here in the US, but I'd like to know of its existence).
If you do not feel the selling price of the KPA1500 is worth your money, and I suspect you are not alone (this is a spendy piece of gear), then simply do not purchase it. Vote with your wallet. In time, if Elecraft has over-priced this, then eventually the free-marketplace law of supply and demand will force them to lower the price (see the Icom IC-7610...a perfect example). Until then, as you pointed out, there are other amplification alternatives. 73! de WX0V
Way to much time talking about fans.....but good video.
I am sensitive to fan noise (and other noise as well) so yes, it is highlighted here. My other videos on this amp also cover the fan noise so if you watch those, you've been warned. 😄 Thank you for your comment and 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing I know but most of us had figured it out by about the 20 th time you mentioned it. I know it can really get to you, some computers are that way. However as they bring them on as temperature rises it may be a necessary thing.
Agreed, without the fans, good-bye amp. However, if you are sensitive to noise, and are a weak-signal/low-band DXer, these fans will be a nuisance. That is the point I tried to make. There are several owners of the KPA1500 that are not happy about the fan noise, and I wanted to make that clear. Some of the early reviews (on eHam, etc.) made it sound as if this amp was whisper-quiet. It is not. If you are rag-chewing on 80m SSB fan noise doesn't matter. If you are chasing 7X7X on 160m CW, it does. It all depends what you use the amp for. Since this is my video, and my perspective, yes, I warn (probably over-warn) about fan noise (and that continues with my other videos on the KPA1500, which to this date, are almost the only ones produced). Not sure I mentioned it "20 times", however. Thanks for your spirited comments. I appreciate the passion (You Tube flagged them as Spam, but as you can now see, I have since approved them for public display). 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing I have never had amp but am looking for a newish solid state one. The price on this on is to steep for me I fear. I am really spoiled to the no tune idea.
@@TheRetiredtech No tune, auto-band switching, a reasonably good antenna tuner built-in; all desirable stuff. Yep, the $6K tag is steep...didn't want that myself. Used ones will eventually show (some already are) but even they are pricey. Another one to look at is the RF-Kit amp. I have seen it work in person and is a nice amp. Also, if full LL isn't needed, the KPA500 is a great amp (all automatic but no antenna tuner). Whatever you wind up with, I hope you are happy with it. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V -- still a good 12 years+ away from retirement, so I am jealous!
Same crappy looking LEDs as with the 500. Looks like MFJ made it.
I like the LEDs on the KPA1500. I think they are clean and easy to see in any shack lighting condition. I do appreciate a different point of view on them, however. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing The alignment of the leds is the only bad thing I noticed. Looks like a homebrew solution :) But the amp is amazing.
I wonder if you have tested the amp on 6m with full power? I know the RF-KIT amp struggles a lot with efficiency on 6m (at least their first version did) rf-kit.de/
Hi Per, sorry for the delay...You Tube marked your comment as Spam. I do not have a 6m antenna that I can run any power on, so I'm afraid I have no input for you on that. Sorry. Thanks for your comment, and we'll see you on the Low Band page...73! de WX0V
@@SuburbanDXing OK, tnx for the reply. Looks like an amazing amplifier. I am barefoot just now, but soon back on 160 and other bands, when my Acom 2000A is repaired I hope. Had some overvoltage from lightning on the power lines frying a few components on the control board. Have ordered a backup amp with same finals as the KPA1500, but more like a homebrew PA. Its using a rotary switch for changing bands, but I think I can have my FTDX101 control the band relays automatically later.
@@la7dfa I'm just happy you spelled "lightning" correctly! :-) So many people spell that incorrectly. Sorry to hear about your amp...lightning may be our biggest enemy out there...I should do a reminder video of that. Hope to see you chasing DX via QRO soon, like that night we both got 8R1/AG6UT on 160m back-to-back. 73! de WX0V
Its nice but a $ 6000 AMP TO MAKE A 5 SECOND CONTACT ,no thank you.
Clearly, this is not for everyone, so I understand your feelings. However, for DX chasers like myself, accumulating a lot of those 5 second contacts, particularly with rare DX stations (or on a band like 160m), make the amp (or other equipment) worth it. Thanks for your comment and 73! de WX0V
Im sure you will make many contacts, Best 73/51