Does the KPA 500 from elecraft is 500 W PEP or RMS ???

[XE1ZLG]

Just to know if some one of you has a KPA 500 from Elecraft... In the pdf. datasheet says the amplifier delivers 500 W, but in no place in the Elecraft product website says if it is 500 W rms of 500 W Pep.. ?????

thanks.... XE1ZLG and 73

[VK4KGW]

Just to know if some one of you has a KPA 500 from Elecraft... In the pdf. datasheet says the amplifier delivers 500 W, but in no place in the Elecraft product website says if it is 500 W rms of 500 W Pep.. ?????

thanks.... XE1ZLG and 73

What are the devices and how many , specs sheet should indicate whats possible surely ?

[WB2WIK]

RMS is not a power rating.

However the KPA500 manual, which you can download from their website, states it is rated 500W output for 10 minutes of transmitting with a 5 minute cool down period, so that is about 500W for a 66% duty cycle.

It's not rated "500W continuously," like a broadcast station. But that's a fairly high duty cycle and I'd think it should sustain rated output for RTTY operation under normal conditions.

SSB duty cycle is usually only about 25%, and CW is typically less than 50%, so this is pretty good. I've never used this amp, though.

[AC0H]

The amp delivers 500W all modes. Full duty cycle modes like RTTY are limited to 10 minutes key down time.
The active devices are 2 X VRF 2933 FET's.

[XE1ZLG]

As you can see in the pictures on Elecraft website, the heat sink is not a huge one, so i know it is not a full duty cycle amp ( like the Alpha`s ) but I was think if it is rated at 500 W in Cw , it is supposed to deliver more power in PEP ( SSB ), any way I will call to Elecraft on Monday to know the " truth " about this...

73 .... XE1ZLG

[K9STH]

Most amplifiers cannot put out much more peak power, if any, on SSB than they do on CW. When they put out more power the amplifier often "flat tops" and puts out spurious signals.

Glen, K9STH

[AB9LZ]

Most amplifiers cannot put out much more peak power, if any, on SSB than they do on CW. When they put out more power the amplifier often "flat tops" and puts out spurious signals.

Glen, K9STH

Well hang on there a minute son, you tellin me that the feller down at the truckstop lied to me?

73 m/4

[K7MH]

Well hang on there a minute son, you tellin me that the feller down at the truckstop lied to me?

73 m/4

Was his name Dave? Then Yes!

[K9STH]

Even if his name was George, Sam, or something else, he was mistaken. Far be it that I would call someone a liar!

Glen, K9STH

[KB1NXE]

Well hang on there a minute son, you tellin me that the feller down at the truckstop lied to me?

73 m/4

Well, if it were one them thar amps Dave Made, then not only did he lie to ya, but he made you squeal like a piggy!