"Everything goes very well with the FCC approval and there will be the KPA1500 linear amplifier official announcement soon on Elecraft list and Elecraft pages as informed Wayne, N6KR few weeks ago....
Short time after I noticed the note that FCC approval arrived and KPA1500 is ready for orders! Official announcement then appeared on the Elecraft pages as same as on the Elecraft mailing list quickly.
So new 1,5kW Solid State HF-6m PA w/QSK was born in Elecraft and it comes to be available worldwide. soon
As you know my preview parts talked about:
SPE EXPERT 1.3K-FA
ACOM 1200S
JUMA PA1000
LINEAR Amp Gemini HF-1K
Azden AZR-1000
The Elecraft KPA1500 is 1500 watt PEP output, MF, HF and 6 Meter linear amplifier. It utilizes the latest LDMOS transistor technology to provide a robust desktop amplifier in a compact cabinet, with an included companion power supply that can be located off your desktop.
The Elecraft KPA1500 was designed with the serious operator in mind. Its no-nonsense front panel shows all important parameters at a glance, with a high-contrast 32-character LCD and fast, bright LED bar graphs. Band switching is instantaneous, via control inputs or RF sensing. Protection and monitoring circuitry is extensive and foolproof, letting you focus on the job at hand — breaking pileups and overcoming the most difficult operating conditions. And it wouldn’t be an Elecraft amp without robust PIN-diode T/R switching. Like the KPA500, the KPA1500 offers fast QSK without a noisy relay!
So it looks like there is "thanks god" second 1kW+ SSPA with silent, fast and well working QSK system on the market...
The amplifier’s rugged internal ATU can handle full power with load SWR up to 3:1, while a wider matching range is allowed at lower power levels, including up to 10:1 in standby mode.
Compare to their preview products initially this KPA1500 will be available in Factory-built form only.
According to Elecraft announcement an introductory pricing is $5,995 U.S. This includes the 1500-watt linear amp. internal tuner and separate switching power supply.
Compare it to other amplifiers on the market and you will notice that it is not so bad.
The most important KPA1500 features:
- 1500W RF output
- Very compact design
- Fast, silent PIN diode T/R switching system
- Built-in Antenna Tuner with dual antenna jacks
- Compatible with nearly any transceiver
- 160-6 meters
| Freq. (MHz) | Pin (W) | Pout (W) | Gain (dB) |
| 1,9 | 63 | 1500 | 13,8 |
| 3,75 | 60 | 1500 | 14,0 |
| 5,35 | 50 | 1500 | 14,8 |
| 7,15 | 69 | 1500 | 13,4 |
| 10,125 | 50 | 1500 | 14,8 |
| 14,175 | 75 | 1500 | 13,0 |
| 18,11 | 81 | 1500 | 12,7 |
| 21,225 | 75 | 1500 | 13,0 |
| 24,93 | 67 | 1500 | 13,5 |
| 28,85 | 61 | 1500 | 13,9 |
| 52 | 78 | 1500 | 12,8 |
New KPA1500 solid-state amplifier won’t take over your entire desktop: it’s just 4,5 x 13,5 x 11,5” (HWD; 11,5 x 34 x 29 cm). The lightweight companion power supply can be placed on the floor or in any other convenient location...
According to the user guide the duty cycle at 1500W out is 10mins key down / 5mins standby.
Interesting functions:
- Automatic Band Switching mode
- Manual Band Switching mode
- Coordinated K3 and KPA1500 Band Switching mode
- Remote PC control using RJ-45 or USB
- Power meter internal calibration procedure (PWR ADJ)
- Internal automatic band selection w/master-priority to protect KPA1500
- Icom, Yaesu and BCD codes available to incorporating w/other radios
Thanks to Martin, OK1RR and OKDXF you can find more details here(CZ) or as follows:
KPA1500 User Manual.pdf
KPA1500 Pics outside.pdf
KPA1500 Pics inside.pdf
KPA1500 EMC test protocol.pdf
KPA1500 EMC test pics.pdf
KPA1500 Spectrum purity.pdf
If you remember the LinearAmp Gemini HF-1K
http://www.linamp.co.uk/gemini_HF.html
implemented the fully solid state QSK switching. No relays. Diode switched system turned of hard by a 300V rail.
So there is another competitor on the market with robust PIN-diode T/R switching and even more power up to 1,5kW.
KPA1500 Shipments are planned to start Mid to Late October against the backlog.
Links:
KPA1500 Flyer.pdf
KPA1500 FAQ.pdf
Ordering info
73 - Petr, OK1RP
"auf die Dauer hilft nur Power" (Erich, HB9FIH)
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