Hello Kelvin,
A good friend in Hawaii runs a pair of the 2 KW models thru a combiner, and
puts out a great signal. Of course, the two rigs plus the cost of the
combiner totals out to about $20 grand. He claims that his setup is worth
every penny.
Alan/KD7GC
Alan R. Downing
Phoenix, AZ
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Kelvin Marsh
Sent: Wednesday, February 26, 2014 1:26 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: More on Solid State Amps
Hi All,
I see the list software does not like the British Pound symbol. The
estimated Expert 1.3K prices should have read:
Basic amplifier with no ATU - Guide price =2499pounds (max SWR before
protection 2.0:1).
Amplifier with ATU fitted - =3399 pounds.
I don't think any solid state amps are cheap, but I guess the SPE models
are less expensive than some others...
In general, American equipment sold over here in the UK always seems
expensive when shipping and taxes are added. A good rule of thumb is to
convert 1000 dollars to 1000 pounds or 1500 dollars!.
Using the Expert Amps USA link provided by Steve, I would estimate the price
of the Expert 1K in the US is about what you would pay in the UK, perhaps a
little more. The 2 kilowatt model at 8000 dollars, costs about 7000 pounds
here, so perhaps this model is slightly cheaper in the States...
Putting aside comparisons of robustness, you certainly pay more for the
convenience of solid state amps.
Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID
Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities
www.active-elements.org
For accessibility evaluations of amateur equipment and MP3 manuals
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Kelvin Marsh
Sent: 25 February 2014 20:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: More on Solid State Amps
Hi Bob,
I think the manufacturer is SPE, and they are an Italian firm. They are
sold by Vine Communication in the UK, and they only stock the best. As =
a
guide, the price in pounds usually translates to the same price in =
dollars,
but as these units are built in Europe, the price might need proper
conversion from pounds to dollars...
It appears the latest is the K1.3, and the blurb from the Vine site =
says:
***=20
New for 2013 - Expert 1.3K-FA.
Lightweight high power, versatile amplifier. Two versions will be =
available
around end 2013. Basic amplifier with no ATU - Guide price =A32499 (max =
SWR
before
protection 2.0:1). Amplifier with ATU fitted - =A33399. ATU option =
after
purchase =A31299 excl fitting. Both versions will be fully 60M capable. =
The
initial
publicity leaflet from SPE is reproduced below. More details to follow =
when
we
have more information on this exciting new unit.
SPE has confirmed that the amplifier
will cover the 4M band.
With slight alterations to the low pass filter 10W of
drive will give around a clean 300W output on 4M.
This
amplifier will be the only one in the world
covering 160-4M
and ideal for field day use. Demand is expected to be high. We can't yet
take
orders, as a firm price isn't set. But we will take expressions of =
interest
and
supply amplifiers to those customers first.
Their MD
recently contacted us to say that he had just completed some very =
promising
tests on 80M. He had run
RTTY 10 seconds TX and 10 seconds RX, delivering 1400W. After about 90
minutes
the temperature stabilized at 65 deg C. You will agree for sure that =
there
could
hardly be a more severe test and the results are excelle
nt.
***=20
Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID
Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities
www.active-elements.org
For accessibility evaluations of amateur equipment and MP3 manuals
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators =
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Bob, K8LR
Sent: 25 February 2014 19:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: More on Solid State Amps
Hi Kelvin,
That was an informative evaluation of current solidstate amps!
Who makes the Expert K1?
Bob, K8LR, [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Kelvin Marsh" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2014 2:21 PM
Subject: More on Solid State Amps
Hi Tom,
I've done a little reading, and the PDF manuals for many of the amps are
readily available on the web.
Looking at the Yaesu Quadra, the Icom PW1, the Expert K1, and the =
Elecraft
KPA500, they all allow and I guess encourage, some form of data control =
from
the radio. This is easy if your radio is from the same manufacturer, =
but
can be done from a Kenwood for some of the amps. In particular, the =
Expert
K1 uses a CAT connection and appears to cater for most radios.
This means the band will be automatically selected by following the =
radio.
They all, apart from the PW1, have RF frequency sensors, and will also =
auto
band change with an injection of RF.
The Ameritron ALS600 and ALS1300 look much more like a traditional valve
amp, with a tactile knob for manual band selection. I believe there is =
an
auto option for the newer models, but I don't know how this works.
I reckon that attempting to manually change bands on any of the former =
amps
would be difficult without sight. So, setting up auto band changing by
whatever method would be essential, and certainly desirable!
Personally, if I was in the market for a new amp, I would seriously look =
at
the Expert K1!
BTW, I think the PW1 is the only amp with a detachable remote head. =
This
means the noisy bit can be tucked away somewhere, and does not need to =
be on
the bench...
Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID
Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities
www.active-elements.org
For accessibility evaluations of amateur equipment and MP3 manuals
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