Full Gallon: The Benefits of Running Full Legal Power

As a committed DXer, I have been running amplifiers for many years. In earlier years, I used amplifiers capable of 600 watts output. The earlier amplifiers used tubes (“Hollow State Technology” that glowed in the dark) and required tuning up as I changed from band to band. A few years ago, I purchased the Elecraft KPA-500, an all-solidstate power amplifier that would tightly integrate with my K3. The advantages were huge — virtually instant-on power, perfect QSK, instant band changes with no tuning up required and quite a small package. I was happy.

Later, I changed amplifiers to the then new Elecraft KPA-1500, another solid-state linear. I ordered one as soon as it was announced, and received a unit with a very low serial number. Now I was running full legal power. As before, no tune-ups, full QSK, virtually instant-on AND 1,500-watts output. Life was good.