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Reviews For: SPE 1.5K-FA SECOND SERIES,

Category: Amplifiers: RF Power - HF & HF+6M

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Review Summary For : SPE 1.5K-FA SECOND SERIES,
Reviews: 8MSRP: 4,995.00
Description:
Second Series Masterpiece,
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.spetlc.com/en/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0084.1
G6NHU Rating: 2021-07-02
A great idea but sadly let down in implementation Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I did a lot of research before settling on an SPE Expert 1.5K-FA (second series) and was very pleased to take delivery of my new amplifier.

I owned my Expert 1.5K-FA for 25 days before the LDMOS output device failed completely and unexpectedly.

In that time, I'd made several hundred contacts, a mixture of SSB, RTTY and FT8 exclusively on low power using completely resonant aerials. I had full CAT control and let the amplifier control the drive levels.

I also had additional cooling in the form of extra fans blowing into the air intake and the temperature never went over 50°C.

On the fateful day, I made two QSOs on 15m, one on 17m then switched to 40m, made one contact and then the output just failed. There was no warning and no error message. The output just failed. I did nothing wrong, it was never over driven, it was never used into a non resonant aerial and it never overheated.

I loved the instant on of the solid state amplifier, rather than having to wait for a valve amplifier to warm up but unfortunately this incident has rather soured my view. Because of the age of it, I have returned it for a full refund.
AA6VB Rating: 2021-04-04
Fabulous Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Fabulous amplifier. Highly recommended. Easy 1.5 KW output on CW and SSB. Completely linear.

I run it at 600-700 on FT8/4 in the mid power setting.

Super reliable, lightweight, very portable, two inputs and 4 outputs.

Just love it. Could not be more pleased.
DK5WL Rating: 2021-03-23
Maximum Output Power not as specified Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received my SPE 1.5K-FA 4 days ago and made already several hundred QSOs in CW and FT8 so far. Acoustic noise is very low, ATU is working fine.
Output power in "low" and "mid" mode is as specified. But in "max" mode maximum output power is about 1000 W with about 14 watts drive from a K3s, ALC not connected. On 6 m just about 850 W.
Only when increasing the input power significantly , e.g. to 28 W (i.e. 100 % more) the output power increases by about 20 %, i.e. extrem non linear operation.
Measurements were done with BIRD dummy load und BIRD power meter with valid calibration.
This is not an issue in Germany, where power limit is 750 W. But I want to use the amplifier for DXpeditions in countries with 1500 W power limit. According to specs the maximum power should be 1500 +/- 0.5 dB which means minimum 1340 W.
I0SJX Rating: 2020-05-12
A great piece of equipment all the way through! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
ADDING A COMMENT THAT WAS LEFT IN THE KEYBOARD - EXCELLENT IDEA THE "MODERATE" SWR OPERATION @ MID OUTPUT PWR, IT KEEPS ME ALIVE IN DX EVEN WITH CHANGING CONDITIONS WHILE PREVENTING ANY DAMAGES!
I was intrigued by its very compact size and lightweight, and having know Gianfranco for decades I fully trusted his commitment to quality and performance. Well, the product overcame any of my expectations in all possible ways. I even wanted to challenge its built-in ATU, without which I wouldn't be able to cope with a number of critical parameters in certain bands, and it did not sweat at all in matching a strange reactive load while carrying its max output!
As an engineer myself, I couldn't resist from opening it... well, nothing less than a highly professional execution in every single detail from the experience of knowing exactly what a linear amplifier needs to to do - and to face in real life! It delivers exactly what it promises, and always one or two steps beyond my expectations. Great work Gianfranco & SPE Team, nice piece of Italian engineering!
NN6EE Rating: 2019-07-07
DAMN GREAT AMP!!! Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
Boys, really this amp in a "Technological wonder", to put it more succinctly "IT'S NOT YOUR DAD'S AMP!!! I got tired of my ALPHA 91-B primarily because of it's SIZE & WEIGHT (91LBS) and it took up alotta room on our main operating desk!!! So NOW with the SPE1.5K the 1.RF deck 2.switching pwr sply 3. the built-in ATU all in a PKG weighing (20Lbs)+/- & the power OUTPUT, you really CAN'T GO WRONG WITH THIS AMP!!! Our hats-off to the RF engrs @ SPE (ITALIA)!!!

K5TCP Rating: 2019-05-12
WOW Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Sold my PW1 and Quadra and got this amp. Amazing product.
5 stars all the way and great US service from Bob, his wife and Dan during the ordering / purchase process. Get on the list and get one!
OZ1W Rating: 2018-12-19
Fantastic Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I received my Expert 1.5 K Second Series a month ago. Quiet, reliable, easy to set up and use with my Icom transceivers. I run mine at 1 kW maximum and the fan is almost inaudible. I considered other solid state amplifiers but for me CAT control was essential and also the ALC facility to prevent over driving. And 4 antenna outputs with 2 antennas per band, and the ability to switch between two radios - totally delighted and worth every penny.
VK4SX Rating: 2018-12-18
first look Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
well no let downs here, absolutely wonderful, Kudo's to you Gianfranco,
it is everything I hoped the Second series would be, super quite, everything as it should be, first look, arrived this morning,
I have been a SPE convert for 4 years,
more in depth at a later date,
Dennis vk4sx