Elecraft is now taking pre-orders for the KXPA100 amplifier

[Moleculo]

Elecraft notified their customers this week that the KXPA100 amplifier has received FCC certification and they are now accepting pre-orders, with shipment expected mid-late August. Here are the contents of the message with links to the pre-order form on Elecraft's website:

June 17, 2013​

Now accepting orders for the Elecraft KXPA100 100 W Amplifier​

We have received FCC certification and are putting on the finishing touches and performing our field test on the KXPA100. We're now taking orders for deliveries planned to start in the next 60 days (mid to late August).

You will find a direct link for ordering the KXPA100 below, at the bottom of this email. (This order form is not yet visible on our regular web page.)
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KXPA100 features include:​

• 100 W output on 160-6 m with 5 W input typical
• 13.8 VDC powered; 20 A typical current drain
• 7 lbs with KXAT100 installed. 10 x 5.125 x 4.25"
• Compact unit ideal for both desktop and mobile use
• Solid-state diode T/R switching — fast, silent T/R and QSK
• Large convection-cooled heat sink for reliable and quiet operation
• Modern design with rugged MOSFET output stage
• Internal wide-range automatic antenna tuner (KXAT100 ATU option)
• Second antenna jack provided with KXAT100 ATU option; controlled by KX3's ANT switch
• Fast, bright LED bar graphs for power and status; KXAT100 ATU option adds SWR bar graph
• Seamless integration with the Elecraft KX3 transceiver
• Works well with any low-power transceiver, requiring only RF and PA KEY inputs
• RF-based frequency counter automatically switches bands with any rig
• Optional band-data input support the K3/10, KX3, Yaesu FT-817, Icom IC-703, and other rigs
• Dual APP power connectors for additional friction-fit if needed (mobile); optional daisy-chaining of 13.8 V to power rig
• Optional KXPACBL adapter connects KX3 to the KXPA100 with a single cable for keying, band data, and control
• KXPA100's PC port allows use of remote-control and logging applications with the KX3 without software configuration changes
• KXAT100 internal ATU option matches 10:1 SWR (5:1 typical on 160 m and 6 m); uses Elecraft's fast matching algorithm
• KXAT100 ATU settings saved per band, per band segment, and per antenna for instant recall

Elecraft® KXPA100 Order Page

 

[Shockwave]

What a shame. One hundred watts for HF priced close to $8 per watt!!! To the best of my knowledge, this is by far the most expensive dollar to watt ratio ever offered to the amateur community in any amp. Why not spend $60 more and buy that 100 watt HF amp with an all mode exciter, receiver and coverage up to 70cm in something like a FT-857D? The extra $500 you're paying to have an amp with auto bandpass filtering seems like a silly move to me when you could just buy the right equipment the first time and enjoy a free extended coverage transceiver with your 100 watt amp.

The shame is that this is what it costs today to buy a quality US made 100 watt amp. Where did we go wrong that other countries like Japan can make so much more in a smaller package and sell it for less? Why do we have open trade agreements with countries like China that ignore all international patent and copywrite laws while they steal any product that can make a buck on? At this rate, in another decade the same thing should cost close to two grand or an ounce of gold.