Introduction

KPA500 Compact 160-6 M Solid State Amplifier

Available as a Factory Assembled or Modular No-Soldering Kit.

Add more punch to your signal with Elecraft's KPA500/KAT500 PowerCombo! Learn more here.

Overview

OVERVIEW

500+ Watts in a compact package the size of the K3S.
The 500-watt solid-state amp that integrates so well with your station, you’ll think it's reading your mind.

Exactly the same size as the K3S transceiver, the KPA500 fills out our K3S-P3-KPA500 'K-Line'. The KPA500 features 160-6M coverage, instant RF-based band switching with any radio, alphanumeric status display, bright LED bar graphs, and a rugged, internal linear supply. The amp’s manual band switches may be used to directly change bands on the K3S. Also the K3S can even select per-band amplifier drive levels automatically when the amp is placed into operate mode, so you’ll rarely need to adjust power output.

But the KPA500 is not just limited to use with the K3S – it is fully compatible with most radios. (Only amplifier keying (PTT) and RF are required for operation including instant RF frequency sensing, fully automatic band switching.)

KPA500 Features:

500W, Compact, Solid State FET amplifier for 160-6 m
Works and auto band selects with any radio that provides Key-Out and RF signals.
Exactly the same size as the K3S
26 lbs, 12 kg
Internal low noise linear power supply: 100-120, 200-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz operation
Instant-on operation
Rugged, conservative design with smart soft and hard fault detection
Intelligently reduces power by 2.5 dB temporarily when presented with input overdrive or a high SWR, allowing you to quickly reduce your drive to compensate without dropping the amplifier off-line. The amp automatically recovers to full power once the soft fault condition is corrected.
Excessive overdrive or SWR events instantly place the amp safely into protective stand-by
Works with any radio that supplies PTT to Ground
Ultra high speed QSK. Silent, diode switched T/R
Super fast RF sensing band selection. Only PTT and RF required for fully automatic band changing operation.
Can receive band data information from most radios that supply it
Fully remote controllable
Six speed temperature sensing fan
Advanced integration with the K3S using the optional KPAK3AUX cable:
KPA500 band buttons drive the K3S band and drive level
Band data is sent from K3S to KPA500 before TX
PTT included in cable, external PTT cable not required
The K3S senses KPA500 operate/standby state and adjusts drive power between two memorized levels on each band.
Upgrading software in the KPA500, like our K3S and P3, takes just one click, thanks to our convenient KPA500 Utility PC application. T
Available as Factory Assembled, or as a Modular, No-Soldering Kit

Cables for Other Radios

Cables for Other Radio Brands/Models

Elecraft

Cable #	Transceiver Model	Notes
E100416 (Included w/ Amp)	Phono Cable works with most radio models. Please Select additional cable(s) below based on desired operating mode.	Standard Mode – Keying. Phono Keying Cable included with Amp. Amp/ATU selects band and freq. by using its internal frequency counter to measure TX freq. in this mode. Works with all radios with a keying output phono jack.
KPAK3AUXSET	K3, K3S	Enhanced Mode. Aux Cable set for KPA500 AND second E850463 aux cable for KAT500. AUX Cable Set incl: 15-Pin to 15-Pin DE-15 + Key Line Interrupter adapter.

Cables for non-Elecraft Transceivers

Yaesu

Cable #	Yaesu Model	Notes
E100416 (Included w/ Amp)	Phono Cable works with most radio models. Please Select additional cable(s) below based on desired operating mode.	Standard Mode – Keying. Phono Keying Cable included with Amp. Amp/ATU selects band and freq. by using its internal frequency counter to measure TX freq. in this mode. Works with all radios with a keying output phono jack.
CBL-YAESUKEY	FT-817, FT818	Standard Mode – Keying. Incl. 8-pin MiniDIN to phono
CBL-YAE-BANDKEY	FT-920, FT990, FT1000 family, FT2000, FT5000, FT9000 family	Intermediate Mode. Incl. 8-pin DIN to DE15 cable for band data plus keying, plus Aux Cable to connect the KAT500 to the KPA500.
CBL-YAE-BKMINI	FT857, FT891, FT897, FT991	Intermediate Mode. Incl. 8-pin MiniDIN to DE15 cable for band data plus keying, plus Aux Cable to connect the KAT500 to the KPA500.
CBL-YAE-BKDIN10	FT450, FT1200	Intermediate Mode. 10-Pin MiniDIN to DE15 cable for band data plus keying, plus Aux Cable to connect the KAT500 to the KPA500.
CBL-YAE-BKDA15	FT3000, FTdx101 Family	Intermediate Mode. DA15 to DE15 cable for band data plus keying, plus Aux Cable to connect the KAT500 to the KPA500.

Icom

Cable #	Icom Model	Notes
E100416 (Included w/ Amp)	IC7300, 7600, 7700, 7851, 9100	Standard Mode – Keying. Phono Keying Cable included with Amp.
CBL-ICOMKEY	Icom "small" radios: IC703, 706, IC7000	Standard Mode. ICOMKEY to KAT500. Use Phono cable from the KAT500 to the KPA500. (Phono Cables incl. w/Amp & Tuner.).

Flex

Cable #	Flex Model	Notes
E100416(Included w/ Amp)	Flex 3000, 5000	Standard Mode – Keying. Phono Keying Cable included with Amp.
CBL-FLEX-PWRCMB	Flex 6000-family	Enhanced mode. Incl. KUSB cable for freq. data, null modem cable, gender changer to KPA500 (Phone Cable for keying incl. w/Amp)

Kenwood

Cable #	Kenwood Model	Notes
E100416 (Included w/ Amp)	Phono Cable works with most radio models. Please Select additional cable(s) below based on desired operating mode.	Standard Mode – Keying. Phono Keying Cable included with Amp. Amp/ATU selects band and freq. by using its internal frequency counter to measure TX freq. in this mode. Works with all radios with a keying output phono jack.
CBL-KENKEY	Kenwood TS140, 430, 440, 450, 570, 820, 830, 850, 930, 940, 950, 2000	Standard Mode-Keying. Incl. 7-pin DIN to Phono Keying Cable.
CBL-KENKEYM	TS-480	Standard Mode -Keying. Incl. 8-pin MiniDIN to Phono Keying Cable.
CBL-KENSER500	Kenwood 580, 590, 890, 990	Enhanced Mode - Keying & Freq. Data. Incl. DE9 to 3.5mm 7-Pin Din, and CBL-KENKEY

Standard Mode = Keying (amplifier to transmit mode) Amp’s internal frequency counter auto-selects band and ATU frequency.

Intermediate Mode = Intermediate Mode-Radios w/BCD band data lines only. Keying plus band switching prior to TX. Amp’s internal frequency counter selects ATU frequency.

Enhanced Mode = Keying & Frequency Data from radio select amplifier band and ATU frequency prior to TX.

Don't see your radio? Contact us!

Visit here for KPA500 App notes.

Specs

SPECS

Frequency Range All Amateur Bands from 1.8 to 29.7 MHz and 50 to 54 MHz
Supply Voltage and Current 100 to 125 VAC or 200 to 250 VAC, 50/60 Hz, approx. 1000 VA
Weight 26 lbs (11.8 kilograms)
Size Enclosure only, 4.0 x 10.8 x 10.0 in., HWD (10.2 x 27.4 x 25.4 cm). With projections, 4.4 x 10.8 x 11.8 in. (11.2 x 28.4 x 30.0 cm). When installing, allow an additional 2” (5.1 cm) behind the fan and above the top cover for unrestricted air flow.
Power Output 500 watts PEP CW/SSB/Data
Duty Cycle at 500 Watts 10 minutes key down / 5 minutes standby
Drive Power 30 to 40 watts for 500 watts output
Input VSWR Less than 1.5:1
ALC Out Negative-going, adjustable
Metering Power Output, SWR (bargraph and on the LCD display), supply voltage and current, temperature, frequency band
PA Current 20 A maximum
PA Voltage 60 VDC, nominal
Heat Sink Temperature 90°C, maximum
Key In +5V maximum, open circuit on receive, closed to ground on transmit (1 mA max.)
Efficiency Approximately 50%

Accessories

ACCESSORIES

KPAK3AUX: Connects the KPA500 to K3/K3S that enables all of the features of the K-Line. This turns your K-Line into a complete, fully integrated 500 watt transceiver.

Amplifiers Cables for Non-Elecraft Transceivers

Reviews

REVIEWS

FAQ

FAQ

Q: What do I need to operate KPA500 with a K3 or K3S?

A: When you order the KPA500, please be sure to order the KPAK3AUX cable kit. This provides Enhanced Mode operation with the K3/K3S radios. Enhanced Mode provides 2 power level settings on a per-band basis. This allows the operator to have 2 RF output settings depending on whether the KPA500 is in Operate mode or in Standby mode. Once set up, the operator does not have remember to turn down drive power from the K3/K3S when switching the KPA500 into Operate mode. This means fast search and pounce operation.

Q: I have 120 volts in the shack right now but plan to add 220 volts very soon. How hard is it to change the KPA500 to another input voltage?

A: The KPA500 can be switched between 120 volts and 220/240 volts AC without opening the cabinet. The fuse block system also functions as the voltage changeover system. All you have to do is to remove the fuse block, change the fuses to the proper amperage and then turn the fuse block over and reinsert it.

Q: Will the KPA500 work with my KX3 and KXPA100?

A: Yes, it can. You can drive the KPA500 to full output with the KX3/KXPA100 combo. All the cables you'll need are in the KPA500 box assuming you're using the KXPACBL cable kit between the KX3 and KXPA100.

Q: Is it possible to use a KX3 or KX2 directly with the KPA500?

A: Yes, the KX3 and KX2 will drive the KPA500 to 220 watts (KX3 @ 15 watts) or 180 watts (KX2). Please contact support@elecraft.com for details and cabling requirements

Q: What cables come in the box with the KPA500?

A: You will receive an AC cable that you specify when you order. There is a USB-to-RS232 cable that will allow you to connect the KPA500 Utility, running on your computer, to the KPA500. Lastly, there is an RCA plug-to-RCA plug cable provided that will connect many non-Elecraft radios for keying.

Manuals

MANUALS & DOWNLOADS

KPA500 Manuals, Schematics and Programmer's Reference
KPA500 Enhancements, Alerts and Application Notes
KPA500 Remote Software
KPA500 Firmware and Utility