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

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