| EA5FJF |
Rating:      |
2009-01-29 | |
| Great amp! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
What a joy to use! Remember, when switched off it defaults to Aerial 1, so the others are not available. I suppose I could compensate with a complex aerial switching system. Most of the time I run at half power. The difference between 5-600w and 1kW is not a lot!
I agree that it would be useful to be able to use more than just two aerials on each band, and also for the built-in ATU to correct greater mis-matches. But, what the heck, I can still only give it 5/5! Enjoy! Steve EA5FJF/G0JFM |
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| LA3ZPA |
Rating:      |
2009-01-07 | |
| I have now a 1KW rig |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have only owner the 1K-FA MK III a some weeks now, I have verry happy with this 1KW amp.
First the size are perfect to my Icom-7700 + SP20, and colur. A supris to my, I diden't expected thar at all.
It is so nice to have this fine line off top ham equipment at a line like this.
To get the Expert on-line tok my only a few minute. The best of the best it play like a champion with my IC-7700.
The setup, to my rig and antenna was do in a blinc off a eye. To have a amp with 5 antenna out put are fantastic, I have a BigIR from 80-6m, 4L SteppIR 40-6m and a dipol 160/80m. The only restriction I have to piont a finger on only 2 antenna for same band. It is probely a software qestion to get all 4-5 antenna out put accessible to a specified band.That all so fare.
I reduse the power and the mic gain to get the ALC down to 0. The amp giv stiff 950-1187w on my Power Master on every band from 160 to 10m, on 6m 857w on my Power Master. The Expert tell a few watt morre or less compare to the Power Master frome 160-6m.
On air
I is like having a 1kw rig, band switching work like a dream, it just push a button on my 7700 and the Expert are one the band at ones. When I move up and down on 80m from 3600-3800 dx window, the Expert are on the spot at ones. On the dipol I have 2.4-2.6 in SWR in the DX window, the Expert are verry quik, I have to see that the tuner on the Expert 1K-FA are better then the tuner on the Ic-7700, so that are a godt contribution to my shack. The first 10minuts off the QSO the the Expert are so quiet, that my lap top make more noise than the Expert, not to bad, when the temp on the Expert are 70C the fan speed increase, and the noise are more conspicuous. I dont fine this as a problem, even the Expert are few cm from my IC-SP20 mic.
After I have adjust the ALC,drive,power and mic level on the rig, tancks to my lockal Ham(LA8IG,LA8IY) the setup sound Q5 and my band wide wase verry narrow even on 1KW output.
Fore my personal I will not splatter , and take more bandwidth than nesserery. Clare and crespy sonund with as norrow bandwith are my goal, and the Expert are clarly a amp to give my this goal.
I find the half out put verry good when proportion are not to bad, just punch the power button, verry comfortable. I comfortable are the main ting with the Expert 1K-FA.
I have tested manuel tube amp like the Alpin 100 in many contest the last 2 yers, nice amp but a anoder leagua when the come to comfortable, band swithing. Size are a diffrent story, the Expert are the size off 2x SP-20, not bad.
I hope the Expert will serve my year to come.
73 de LA3ZPA
Ronny
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| K7ERQ |
Rating:      |
2008-11-15 | |
| 5/5 |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
| This is the BEST 1KW amp I've used. QUICK! QUIET! Small footprint! EZ to use and operate. The dealers B&B kept me informed about the shipping, routing and delivery schedule. I invite any who are considering to email me. the best addition to my shack in quite a while! 73 roger K7ERQ |
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| KI4JUK |
Rating:      |
2008-08-19 | |
| One year using my SPE Expert 1K FA |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
I bought my SPE Expert 1K.Fa last june 2007.
I already have 2 P.A. :AMERITRON AL 1500 and HA8UG/6 for magic band.
My Expert has become my third hand : It changes the right antenna , it tune-up itself automatically ,and alltime I can watch on its large display : SWR , PWR , dB GAIN,INT.TEMP. and each parameter about trasmission and a very intelligent allarm call me for any anomaly ! At last but not the least, The SPE Factory , Up graded me FREE ! the Expert at third Series and Certified it . Thank you Gianfranco I0ZY , Thank you Expert 1K FA
KI4JUK -- IK8BPY Armando |
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| DJ5PJ |
Rating:      |
2008-07-16 | |
| ok |
Time Owned: more than 12 months. |
After audience by pope - perfect with my Icom rig !
+ : a storage place on top - (L4b : not allowed). |
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| HB9DDS |
Rating:      |
2008-07-14 | |
| Great |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I have to say, not bad.
The 3rd edition or version solved all the previeous problems. It is working without any problems an it is a very convinient amplifier. Also a bad SVR is in most cases no problem, you can tune manually in small steps.
And fully 1200W output with apprx. 25/25W input, depends on the band.
*******
To the previous reviewer (G3RXQ):
I'm surprised about some reviews. Your problem can you see before you buy the amplifer so I don't understand your comment. It's the same as "I give only a 4 because the amp looks not so good" !!!
Not understandable....
Daniel, HB9DDS |
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| G3RXQ |
Rating:     |
2008-06-01 | |
| A very good solid state linear |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
I find the linear a pleasure to use. It integrates well with my Elecraft K3 now that I have made up a lead to bandswitch. I can tune up using 5W, using the internal SWR metering on the amplifier when on Standby and then switch to Operate. About 12W gives the full UK legal limit.
The amplifier performs very well under all of the conditions I have thrown at it.
My only dislike is not being able to select more than 2 antennas from the front panel. You have to decide in the setup page which 2 of 4 you want to use. It is a bit of a pain if you have 2 antennas for the band plus a dummy load.
Surely this is something that could be addressed in a new firmware release ?
For that reason the amplifier gets 4.0 not 5.0.
Stewart G3RXQ
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| SV2DCD |
Rating:      |
2008-05-18 | |
| A great linear amplifier !!! |
Time Owned: 6 to 12 months. |
I own this amplifier since October 2007 and i wanted to write down a small review about it.
After 7 months of use and a couple of contests i must say that i am very satisfied.
With the CAT cable connected to the transceiver you don't need to do nothing in the linear.Everything goes automatic!This is a great deal especcialy during the contests.There is also a PC software to remote the linear from the PC.The amplifier has 4 inputs for antennas and 2 inputs for radios.The output power is as expected with low input power about 20-30 Watts.
No RFI problems in the shack at all.You can go down to HALF output power by pressing one key.The amplifier is really easy to programm.The display is big and readable.
As for the protection circuits also work excellent.The weight is only 20kg and the company gives you also a carrying bag for dxpeditions and contests !
My final conclusion is that this amplifier is worth every spent Euro!
73 de SV2DCD Leo
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| K3EKO |
Rating:      |
2008-05-15 | |
| Will blow you away! |
Time Owned: 0 to 3 months. |
I would like to take this time out to write a brief review of my experience so far with the Expert amp. First, hookup is a breeze--once you change the 240v plug to a US version, hi. Accessing the menu couldn't be easier. I have two antennas one dipole for 75m the other for 40 meters. I don't have those antennas plugged into the Expert since I'm using a MFJ-998 auto tuner which also works quite well. Bill at B&B has been very helpful in seeing that my Expert was on the air ASAP! I'd like to send kudos his way for the time he takes on the phone to make sure any issues have been resolved. If you don't get him at first, leave a message or send an email. You won't be disappointed in buying this fine amp from SPE based in Rome. Bill et al at B&B are top notch.
One caveat: Please note that when dealing with FEDEX you will NEED to fill out a US Treas CBP importer's application with your SSN otherwise the shipment will be returned to SPE!
Thanks for a great product, SPE!
73 for now,
Frank K3EKO
PS: I will keep you updated as I use the amp more! |
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| K0ZL |
Rating:      |
2008-04-25 | |
| Excellent workmanship |
Time Owned: 3 to 6 months. |
Having worked on the SPE Expert 1K-FA (Version II to III upgrades and some repairs), I can offer this technical evaluation of the amplifier.
The workmanship and quality of materials and parts used in the Expert are superb. The PC boards are all epoxy glass, with VERY heavy copper traces and thru-hole plating that withstand repeated soldering iron application. Teflon wire is used throughout, which greatly facilitates repairs; no melted insulation to deal with.
All the screw holes fit when you put the amp back together. This is a welcome break from what we see in other manufacturers' products.
The chassis is all-steel and does not warp when dropped in shipment.
Although there has been a lot of comments about the MRF150s used in the Expert in regards to power handling capability, the Expert seems not to mind putting out a KW or maybe a bit more (typically, 900 watts) in SSB. It will holler at you if you try key-down (carrier modes) at this level for too long; but it's very polite, squawking "ICAS (Intermittant Commercial and Amateur Service) Warning" and then turning itself down to half power.
Technical support from the factory in Rome has been fantastic.
In operating the Expert, I am amazed that it is nearly "seamless" when working with my old IC-756 non-PRO and our TS-850, switching nearly instantly between bands and antennas with just a tap of the key; and that without using the CAT connection! All I use here is the key and ALC lines to the amp (ALC use is highly recommended, except for the Elecraft; keeping the drive down to about 27 watts seems sufficient for the K3).
For the discriminating ham that wants a neat, one-box solution for an amplifier, automatic AT unit and programmable four-port antenna switch (with two inputs!), I feel that the Expert is the best answer.
By the way, operation from a good stiff 120VAC circuit is no problem. PEP output does not seem to be affected by mains source voltage. |
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