| WO4PA |
Rating:      |
2022-04-30 | |
| Off to a good start ! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
Small beast compared to my KPA 1500. Very quiet, blazing speed on Freq Sensing. Almost scary. I use Civ to control it now. Believe it or not I bought a Civ router which you can find on the internet from K9JM. So, I control the Amp with the Icom 7610 and my Steppr antenna thru Log4OM. Smooth. So now the Amp. The owner's manual is an operating manual. Do as it says, also lots of trial and error, or reading in-between the lines. The big gotcha is on the tuner. You must get out of auto to manual for it to tune the first time. Also and very important is to store the tuning solution, or your going to tune every time you use that Freq again. so store it. After you have your tuning solutions and they are stored, you can just stay in Auto as the amp remembers all! I have had no issues other than operator error. Configuring the Civ was almost pug and play, but can be daunting if you don't get the baud rates correct.
I hit the amp with 40 watts drive and popped out 1700 watts. It has about the same efficiency as the KPA 1500.
So, these are my prelim. thoughts. Price is great, easy to operate, easy to config, won't let you do dumb things and the support from Island Amplifier is outstanding. And John has a sense of humor, he had to deal with me for heavens sake. Lots of good answers. I would say this amp is the best on the market with what I know now. But lets see if it runs for years. I'll review again when I have more experience. Just the support from these folks is worth the money! |
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| DL5RW |
Rating:      |
2021-12-27 | |
| First Class DUO LDMOS BLF189XRB-very best quality. |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
Ich habe viele Endstufen in verschiedenen Klassen. Es gibt ein paar Dinge, die für den RF2K-S sprechen, die viele andere Verstärker dieser Klasse (1,7KW) nicht bieten können. Erstens ist der Preis für dieses Kit unschlagbar. Vergleichbare Endstufen sind mindestens 2-3000 € teurer.
Zweitens ist ein großer wichtiger Punkt die Lautstärke der Endstufe im Betrieb mit hoher Leistung. Da ist die RF2K-S unschlagbar. Man hört sie einfach nicht!
Drittens ist die Verarbeitungsqualität der Platinen zu nennen. Bis heute habe ich noch nie eine bessere Layout PLatinen Qualität gesehen.
Viertens: Die Anleitung für das in Betrieb nehmen des Kits ist Punkt für Punkt sehr genau beschrieben. Wer dabei genau nach diesen Verarbeitungspunkten verfährt und die Endstufe danach abgleicht, ist eine sichere Funktion garantiert!
Fünftens ist die Signalqualität zu nennen. Diese beschreibe ich als hervoragend. In Verbindung mit meinem SDR System "Charly25" steuere ich die RF2K-S mit 14-15Watt an. In Verbindung mit dem vorhandenen Pred.-55dB Anschluß auf der Rückseite der zum Transeiver zurückgeführt wird, erreicht die Endstufe mit der Predistorsion einen Wert bei 1100Watt Output von sehr guten -53dB
Und sechstens will ich noch die sehr gute Software Oberfläche auf dem 7 zoll TouchDisplay hervorheben. Läßt sich sehr gut bedienen, alle Infos erscheinen im Betrieb auf dem Display und der automatische Tuner funktioniert sehr schnell und einwandfrei.
Abschließend kann ich nur eine uneingeschränkte Empfehlung aussprechen zumal auch Reinhard (DH3NAB) jederzeit persönlich ansprechbar ist über Telefon oder email. Bilder auf meiner Website bei QRZ.com, 73, Ralf DL5RW
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I have a lot of power amplifiers in different classes. There are a few things that speak for the RF2K-S that many other amplifiers in this class (1.7KW) cannot offer. First, you can't beat the price of this kit. Comparable power amplifiers are at least € 2-3000 more expensive.
Second, a big important point is the volume of the power amplifier when operating at high power. The RF2K-S is unbeatable here. You can't hear them!
Third, there is the processing quality of the circuit boards. To this day I have never seen better layout board quality.
Fourth: The instructions for putting the kit into operation are described very precisely, point by point. Safe functioning is guaranteed if you proceed exactly according to these processing points and adjust the output stage accordingly!
Fifth, the signal quality should be mentioned. I describe this as excellent. In connection with my SDR system "Charly25" I control the RF2K-S with 14-15Watt. In connection with the existing Pred.-55dB connection on the back, which is fed back to the transeiver, the output stage with the predistorion achieves a value of 1100Watt output of a very good -53dB
And sixth, I want to highlight the very good software interface on the 7 inch touch display. Can be operated very well, all information appears on the display during operation and the automatic tuner works very quickly and perfectly.
Finally, I can only make an unreserved recommendation, especially since Reinhard (DH3NAB) can be contacted personally at any time by phone or email.Pictures on my website at QRZ.COM, 73, Ralf DL5RW
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| W1AJT |
Rating:      |
2021-12-05 | |
| Outstanding Performance and Value |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I first saw the RFKit amp at the first showing in Dayton a few years ago. Amongst my friends with me was a senior RF engineer, designer, and fabricator. He was really impressed at the engineering and build quality especially compared to another well-known dual pallet LDMOS amplifier shown at the same Hamvention. This past July lightning took out my ACOM 2000A (plus a lot of other equipment) so now I needed an amp for my contest station that I operate both locally and remotely. I looked at all of the available solid-state amps and the decision was easy – the RF2K-S. I compared it to the dual-pallet wind tunnels of the two most well-known amps – I heard them both. Then looked at what they provided. One was easily eliminated for build quality. The other amp was a lot more expensive in fact you can buy two RF2K-S amps with built in tuners for less than the price of the other amp plus tuner.
What’s the difference other than price? The RF2K has around 1 ms switching for QSK (tested at 80 wpm with a dit string), no QSK on the other in fact, you can’t have transceiver to amp switching less than 10 ms according to their manual. RF2K has an automatic antenna tuner built in plus is totally remote-able with free standard VNC software and built in WiFi and LAN capability. The RF2K is inherently designed for CW and remote. I contest a lot and I am finally able to use QSK at fairly high-speed CW without hearing any sound. In fact, the amp makes almost no sound since air handling was properly designed instead of the other “wind tunnel” amps. The temperature after very long high-speed running at 1400 watts has not exceeded 50 degrees C (for an instant) and usually sits around 45 degrees. The RF2K also will automatically switch up to four antennas itself plus can be interfaced to an external antenna switch for up to 16 additional antennas. It will auto-sense frequency on transmit as well as CAT (USB) and CAT via IP (UDP) (works great with N1MM). Power available is well beyond legal limit. Six meters is always a question; well I get 1500+ watts from 25 watts drive on 6m.
I have had a number of amps; ETO-91B, ACOM 1000, ACOM 2000A, SPE Expert 1.3K-FA (EU version). The ACOM 2000A was the probably the best amp made; now there may be a new contender - the RF2K-S in the ACOM’s exclusive class of silent, massive power. Support is outstanding from RFKit with very quick turnaround for questions. See you in the contests.
ART - VE3UTT
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| K1GUY |
Rating:      |
2021-08-15 | |
| THE MASTERPIECE OF HF AMPS |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have had many tube amps and a Solid State amp. I decided I wanted full legal limit in a solid state amp that was QUIET and had great protection and overhead. I noticed the RF Kit a few years ago at a hamfest, but it was a kit, and was new, and so I passed on it but followed it's refinement over the years, both in software and hardware. And then the company stopped offering it as a kit, and now it comes completely assembled with FCC certification even though it is made in Germany. I ordered my RF Kit amplifier through islandamplifier.com, their US dealer and service center. John is a real pro and a pleasure to work with.
The amplifier arrived, and all I had to do was wire the plug for 240. I read the manual before delivery, and so operation was a breeze. Everything is automatic and the tuner integration is seamless. In fact, I like the built-in tuner better than my Palstar HF Auto, as it is 'instant' tune, and the amp instantly senses frequency. Note that this is a software driven amp, with upgrades just a touch away as the amp links to wifi easily.
The RF Kit is quiet. I mean QUIET. Even with heavy use and full power, the temperature never exceeded 53C on FT8 legal limit as a test, and the fans sounded like a laptop fan cooling down a laptop. Often my Yeasu transceiver is louder! On SSB you may see 43C or so, depending on usage. When you do hear the amp, it is not annoying at all. On SSB I do not notice it.
I also like that I can put the amp display on my desktop and control it this way. This amp is the future. A BRILLIANT design, way overbuilt, with TWO 1,700W LDMOS transistors with sophisticated protection. There is so much to say about this amp, that if you want to get in touch with me, please email me. You may also want to read the detailed review by PB5X. In short, I concur with PB5X, it is everything he says in his detailed review. This is the best HF amp today, hands down. The ultimate refinement of a solid state amp. Thank you Reinhard and team. Well done, very well done. A MASTERPIECE !
(I got the Red one, you can see it on my QRZ page)
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| PB5X |
Rating:      |
2021-06-08 | |
| Best and most silent LDMOS amplifier on the market |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I got to know about the RF-KIT amplifier when I was in Friedrichshafen back in 2019. At that time I owned a couple of SPE Expert 1.5K-FA amplifiers but after having some issues as well the fact the SPE comes with a single LDMOS device and the RF-KIT with 2 LDMOS on their Pallet board, I started to investigate on the potential of this RF-KIT Amplifier. After having owned the RF-KIT RF2K+ version for over 1 year and now the RF2K-S, I can only say that this amplifier is the best rugged, solid state LDMOS amplifier on the market. (I sold 1 SPE 1.5K-FA V1 expert to make place for the RF2K+ and when operating RF2K+ side by side with the SPE 1.5k-fa v2. The decision was easily made as I needed to sell my last SPE to make room for the 2nd RF-KIT Amplifier)
This amplifier, when pushing continuously 1.5KW in SSB running piles ups with 200 QSO rates will not break a sweat as the temprature will not increase above 55C and cooling down is extremly fast. That said the fans within this amplifier are not noticable in comparrison to the SPE Experts amplifiers or even the older Tube amps like OM power or ACOM.
Besides being the most silent 1.5kw+ LDMOS amplifier on the market, this amplifier is very clean when it comes down to IMD. The 2 BLF 189 XRA are rated each for 1.700 watts. So when running 1.5kw+ the Pallet board will not be overdriven to its maximum capacity, something the SPE Expert 1.5K-FA will do where they only use 1 single 1K80 Freescale LDMOS device.
Nowadays people are afraid to blow up their LDMOS devices due to numerous of reasons. This NEW RF2K-S version is so protected that even with an accidently drive power of 75w+ nothing wil happen. Like all other Solid state amplifiers this amp is fully protected and will you never have to worry on killing your LDMOS devices.
Also the Software on this amplifier is great as RF-KIT see their product as a SDA(Software Designed Amplifier). As with the older RF2K+(no longer in Production due to the NEW RF2K-S) still had a Arduino and Rasberry 3+ on board. This RF2K-S has an embedded CPU with a Rasberry 4 which take care of all Control and Software.
Also when using this amplifier remotely, this will be easy established via VNC. Meaning you can easily use Ethernet or WIFI to control your amplifier which ever you desire on what ever device(Tablet, Smartphone etc...)
Conclusion: Their are so many features on this amplifier which continuously are improved by the RF-KIT team making this amplifier a real SDA. New Software is continuously developped and RF-KIT continuously ask and integrate Customer feedback and ideas. Something I never ever have experienced with other manufacturers. Also the PIN DIODE switching vs the mechanical relays within the older RF2K+ is a huge advantage
As this product is made by HAMS for HAMS and as I am very confident in the ruggedness, ideas, philosophy and further devlopments of this great amplifier I couldn't resist to order a 2nd RF2K-S amplifier. So really looking forward to run these 2x amplifiers within the coming months
If you would like to know more about this amplifier please do not hesitate to join the RF-KIT Groups.io and/or drop me an email if you might have any questions.
73 Roberto PB5X
www.pb5x.com
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| K7KB |
Rating:     |
2021-01-16 | |
| Good Software Defined Amplifier! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I've owned the RF2K-S about 2 weeks now and so far I'm impressed. Easy legal limit with usually much less than 40W drive by using a pair of BLF-189XRB solid state finals. I've tested it running FT8 on 20M at 1200W output for about a half hour and platen temp never went above 58C. I'll be testing it at full legal limit during the WPX RTTY.
As with any new gear, setup can take a bit of time but Reinhard of RFKIT got on Skype to help me out with a CAT issue I was having (my own fault). Once I got the proper null-modem cable, I was able to easily connect my IC-7610 through my PC for band control. It also has UDP control with N1MM, and they are currently working on SO2R support.
Updates are easy and you can connect to the internet via Ethernet or Wireless. Also has VNC client support for a remote screen/control on your PC.
Only problem I've had with it so far is that a couple of times I've been in a condition where it shows a blank screen and the only way to get out of it is to turn the amp off & on.
This amp has a lot of features, but those you can read about on the DX Engineering web site. Also you can ask questions on the RFKIT groups.io |
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