Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 faulting on high VSWR on power rise

Rick, I didn't mean to imply anything about the efficiency of the R5/R7; they are quite short with lots of compromises, and there are certainly ways a vertical antenna in general may, in a given installation, have specific limitations. Certainly I rarely use mine as I get much better results

Re: [Elecraft] K3 Configuration Listing?

There is a list with default values in the manual for both menus. Copy it and mark you changes. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Feb 25, 2018, at 12:17 AM, > wrote: > > Is it possible to poll the K3 for its configuration file.

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 faulting on high VSWR on power rise

I have an R7 (end fed vertical 40-10M).  It and a 80M dipole are my current antennas, until I plant a tower later this year (55' US Tower, motor drive, tilt over).  I have to admit that I'm not a fan of vertical antennas. Since I moved here last year and haven't gotten the tower up yet, the

[Elecraft] K3 Configuration Listing?

Is it possible to poll the K3 for its configuration file. I'd like to know how each configurable item is set. In lieu of that, does anyone have a spreadsheet listing all of them that they're willing to share? Thanks & 73, Eric W3DQ Washington, DC

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500

Yes, they’re shipped in a single box, and Very well-packed. The big box contains two identical smaller boxes for the power supply and RF deck. Individually, the units are lightweight so they’re easy to move around. Wayne http://www.elecraft.com > On Feb 24, 2018, at 7:36 PM, hawley,

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

There are a lot of factors that determine what the best choice of Balun is. Unless it is a resonant antenna, the impedance is not purely resistive, usually far from it. It can be almost anything. The feedline length will affect what the impedance is at the tuner. The tuner, if you have one, will

[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Announcement

Good Evening,    The solar wind is helping propagation on the lower bands.  40 meters was open to the East Coast, SW, SE, and up into Canada last week.  The reverse beacon net heard me all over the place.  Fast QSB was a problem with a little noise.  Hopefully all the snow I have received

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

In my case, the 4:1 was shown as correct by comparing to a 1:1 (for me). I was able to find more usable bands with the 4:1 (meaning closer matches). If the dipole is single band only, using a 75 ohm feed (choke at the transition from feed to antenna) is best. A resonant dipole is closer to

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Yes and in years past AM legal limit PEP power was about 3KW. PL-259's were used on these transmitters and Johnson KW Matchbox type equipment. Bob, K4TAX Sent from my iPhone > On Feb 24, 2018, at 8:59 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > > Someone should tell the electrons.

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500

Bill wants to know if they are shipped in one box. Chuck Jack Sent from my iPhone, cjack > On Feb 24, 2018, at 9:11 PM, Bill Johnson wrote: > > I wasn't clear, apparently. Issue is not answered, but appreciate suggestions. > > Have a great day, > Bill > K9YEQ > >

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

I question the 4:1 balun being the correct nor best choice. Typical of that antenna the feed Z of the radiator is more likely 25 to 35 ohms. The 4:1 balun is presenting something like 10 ohms to the tuner. Worst case for high current and hi loss in the tuner causing heating. A 1:1 balun would

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 Utility

No mac version yet. > On Feb 24, 2018, at 5:01 PM, John Hiatt wrote: > > Here it is: http://www.elecraft.com/KPA1500/kpa1500_software.htm > > > > > John, KC7DRI >

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500

I wasn't clear, apparently. Issue is not answered, but appreciate suggestions. Have a great day, Bill K9YEQ From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net on behalf of Don Wilhelm Sent: Saturday, February 24,

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Someone should tell the electrons. UHF connectors have been standard on legal limit power amps for as long as I've been a ham. 73, Jim K9YC On 2/24/2018 1:46 PM, Walter Underwood wrote: The Amphenol voltage rating for UHF connectors is 500 V peak. So the connectors could be another weak

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

I've observed many times an arc occur from the center pin to shell with an unterminated line during a thunder storm.   No damage to the connector occurred however.   Makes for an eerie dang sound too. 73 Bob K4TAX On 2/24/2018 8:29 PM, GaryK9GS wrote: I have never seen a properly

Re: [Elecraft] K3 err 12v

Ed, I had a similar issue, I too have an early serial number k3. Elecraft says my rig needs to go in for repairs, there are some old pins on boards that they say need upgrading to solve the power output issue. 73, Barry K6ST Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2018 13:57:05 -0800 From: Ed Schuller

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

I have never seen a properly installed UHF connector, in a matched system, arc. 73, Gary K9GS Original message From: j...@kk9a.com Date: 2/24/18 5:14 PM (GMT-06:00) To: 'Elecraft Reflector' Subject: [Elecraft]  KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power

Re: [Elecraft] K3 err 12v

Ed, I had a similar issue, I too have an early serial number k3. Elecraft says my rig needs to go in for repairs, there are some old pins on boards that they say need upgrading to solve the power output issue. 73, Barry K6ST Date: Sat, 24 Feb 2018 13:57:05 -0800 From: Ed Schuller

[Elecraft] FS: KPA500 & KAT500

For sale: KPA500 - S/N 0127 KAT500 - S/N 0227 Mint condition; One owner; Non-smoking; Wired 240v; With all upgrades; Latest firmware; Cables; and Manuals. Picture on my QRZ site. Both units are boxed ready to ship. Selling both units together only. $2200 shipped USA. Ron

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

10:1 SWR implies that the impedance is 500 ohms resistive at the maximum point on the line. E = sqrt(P*R) = sqrt (500w * 500ohms) = 500 Vrms, which is 707 Vpk. So if the UHF connector happened to be located at a voltage maximum on the line it would see more than its rated 500V peak. Alan

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

In this case, the lightning protection is on the antenna side of the matching unit, so it isn’t at 1:1 SWR or 50 Ohms. At 10:1 VSWR, we would see 500 V peak at 500 W. wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Feb 24, 2018, at 4:46 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Based on the specification of 500 volts peak,    5KW at 50 ohms = 500 volts.  It would seem the PL-259 is adequate for ham radio applications per specification to 0.3 GHZ or 300 MHz without issues. Of course one is dealing with 50 ohms, which implies essentially a 1:1 SWR. 73 Bob, K4TAX

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 faulting on high VSWR on power rise

A lot of users seem pleased with end-fed wire antennas of recent commercial models. Such antennas should not behave much differently compared to end-fed verticals such as the R5 that I have had for many years and which creates no problems even at high power. Like that antenna, the wire models

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500

The KPA1500 consists of 2 boxes, a power supply that can be mounted behind or under the desk, and the PA deck. Both are the same size and each weighs under 25 pounds. They can be stacked. 73, Don W3FPR On 2/24/2018 4:45 PM, Bill Johnson wrote: Wayne, I noted the entire amp and supply came

Re: [Elecraft] KX3 RF Gain

Seems to be I used different settings for different bands. Usually just set it as needed. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Feb 24, 2018, at 10:31 AM, DX Radioman wrote: > > Can you change the RF Gain control from per band to per mode? > In other words, once I

[Elecraft] Err 12v - thanks

Thanks for all the comments. It appears that the most likely culprit are the connectors. I appreciate the replies 73, Ed K6CTA Sent from my iPhone __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:

[Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

I just posted almost the exact thing. I should have read all of the posts first. It is interesting that coax has a much higher voltage rating than the connectors however Amphenol UHF connectors rarely fail even after direct lightning strikes. John KK9A K6WRU wrote: The Amphenol voltage rating

Re: [Elecraft] K3 err 12v

>http://www.elecraft.com/manual/E740182%20KPA3CONMDKT%20Instruction%20Manual.pdf My K3, of a similar vintage, had the same problem. The URL above describes the problem, and a permanent fix. I didn't trust myself to change the pins on the mother board, so I used a temporary "bypass operation" -

[Elecraft] Strange PX3 issue

Recently, my PX3 has started showing signals adjacent to the one I am listening to, both to the left and right. I went ahead and did the sideband nulling with no issues but the problem was still there. I then turned down the volume and found that the adjacent signals went aways. Raise the

[Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Really? An Amphenol UHF connector only has a 500v rating. John KK9A Bill Johnson k9yeq wrote 1000v to me could be too low for a 500W amp. You can for the time being leave the plug out, just disconnect when you are not using your equipment. I use a remote disconnect to remove the antennas at

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500

Received serial number 00034 this Thursday and am really pleased with it! I'm awaiting a short extension cord to move it closer to my K3 but until then using it without the K3 accessory buss cable connected. It tunes quickly and puts out 1500W with no muss or fuss. Like all my Elecraft gear,

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 Utility

Thanks! To Ed, AB4IQ and John, KC7DRI my question has been answered virtually immediately! Thanks everyone for a FB mail list! 73, Charles __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] K3 err 12v

On Sat, Feb 24, 2018 at 1:57 PM, Ed Schuller via Elecraft wrote: > My tired old K3 (serial 1298) displayed this while I was on RTTY today. The > rig works at 10w and under, so I assume that this indicates an issue with the > power amp. I checked the book for possible

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/littelfuse-inc/CG21000/F10878-ND/2024360 Chuck Hawley c-haw...@illinois.edu Amateur Radio, KE9UW aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] on behalf of

Re: [Elecraft] K3 err 12v

Is your power supply sagging? 73s and thanks, Dave NK7Z https://www.nk7z.net On 02/24/2018 01:57 PM, Ed Schuller via Elecraft wrote: My tired old K3 (serial 1298) displayed this while I was on RTTY today. The rig works at 10w and under, so I assume that this indicates an issue with the power

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 Utility

Here it is: http://www.elecraft.com/KPA1500/kpa1500_software.htm John, KC7DRI From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net

[Elecraft] K3 err 12v

My tired old K3 (serial 1298) displayed this while I was on RTTY today. The rig works at 10w and under, so I assume that this indicates an issue with the power amp. I checked the book for possible other issues, but came up with either bad connector seating or circuit breaker issues, neither

[Elecraft] KPA1500 Utility

Howdy from New Mexico, Earlier, WA6NHC wrote that he was studying the KPA1500 Manual and the KPA1600 Utility in anticipation of the arrival of his amplifier. I downloaded and have been studying the Manual, but so far I haven't found the Utility. Can someone please point me in the

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500

Really? The picture from the February newsletter showing the first amp headed to shipping showed 2 boxes. http://www.elecraft.com/news.htm John, KC7DRI From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net on behalf of Bill Johnson

[Elecraft] Odd effect on the K3 when displaying REF*CAL

I use HRD to control my rig on data modes and it does a good job and works as expected. However, if the K3 display is set to show the REF*CAL situation then after transmitting the rig stays in transmit mode, as shown by the red TX button being lit. I have not noticed this when the K3 display

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

The Amphenol voltage rating for UHF connectors is 500 V peak. So the connectors could be another weak point. https://www.amphenolrf.com/connectors/uhf.html wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Feb 24, 2018, at 11:07 AM, Bill Johnson

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500

Wayne, I noted the entire amp and supply came in one box. For the sake of lifting could the amp and supply be boxed separately? I am very seriously consider buying one. I do have the KPA500 now and it is such a pleasure to use. 72 & 73, Bill K9YEQ, FT’er for K2, KX1, KX3, KXPA100, KAT500,

[Elecraft] P3 minor bug in firmware ??

I have a P3 with latest revision of firmware and an SVGA card and a station monitor and a USB keyboard plugged in as well. The frequency readout on the P3 and external monitor is correct under all common operating situation when I have a “span” of, say 100KHz. However, when I use the command

[Elecraft] KPA1500

If you’ve just received a KPA1500 and have a question outside Elecraft’s normal business hours, please post the question here. Eric and I, as well as rest of the engineering team, monitor the list regularly. Those considering a KPA1500 might want to check out some of the reviews posted so far

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 faulting on high VSWR on power rise

I’ve always presumed that the ratings were based on 1:1 SWR as there is no reasonable way to define it otherwise. Actual ratings at other loads can be inferred on that basis. An end fed dipole is MUCH harder to tame than a dipole (or fan dipole) and inherently challenging to keep the RF

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 faulting on high VSWR on power rise

I am not familiar with the protector you use, and how it is specified, but it seems to me that any such device intended for use on a transmission line must strike a fine balance between low breakdown voltage (for protecting your gear) and high breakdown voltage (to accommdate the power level in

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

1000v to me could be too low for a 500W amp. You can for the time being leave the plug out, just disconnect when you are not using your equipment. I use a remote disconnect to remove the antennas at my remote grounding panel. 73, Bill K9YEQ -Original Message- From:

Re: [Elecraft] PX3 & thumb drive...

VIC and all, See page 29 of the manual... "A USB Mass Storage Device (MSD), such as flash or thumb drive, can be used to save and restore PX3 configuration data, save and restore macros and save the screen display. The MSD must be formatted for FAT32 files. A faster (e.g. Class 10) MSD will

Re: [Elecraft] Adding a low noise preamp into the receive line of the internal 2M transverter

I agree. Any in-the-shack pre-amp ahead of the K3's 2M transverter is a waste of time. Unless of course, you just want to see your S-meter read higher and don't care that you've completely destroyed the dynamic range of the system. The best way to improve on this is by installing a

Re: [Elecraft] Adding a low noise preamp into the receive line of the internal 2M trnsverter

Howard, Adding an internal preamp is not a trivial task as it would mean some surgery on the transverter board. What makes you think that you need a preamp?   The sensitivity of the transverter is more than adequate for all normal use and any spare funds should be put into  new low loss

Re: [Elecraft] PX3 & thumb drive...

It isn't a problem of file name..  The PX3 won't see the new thumb drives.  It reads the OLD drive just fine.  I don't have a problem with the name as I edit with the contest name in the filename and then copy/edit to the one the PX3 reads.  works great, except 16G drives - no go.  73

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 faulting on high VSWR on power rise

One exception is when the dipole is used on multiple bands, then a 4:1 may be required.  That was the case for my 370' 80M EDZ (two opposing 5/8 wave, center fed).  That is specifically a non-resonant antenna on any ham band but it performed best with the 4:1 instead of the 1:1.  It was a

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 faulting on high VSWR on power rise

I have found that a 4:1 balun is seldom the proper choice for a ladder line interface. I measure the impedance at the interface and then select the balun type (usually a 1:1). The biggest problem I've had is the 4:1 transforming the impedance too low for the tuner. This can result in over

Re: [Elecraft] PX3 & thumb drive...

There was a bug in the last firmware update that has not been fixed. The file name that the PX3 saves the data to is different than the file name that it tries to read the data back in from. Until the firmware is corrected, you need to manually edit the saved file name to have it match the

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

MFJ tuners that use switched tapped air inductors often fail to allow sufficient spacing between each tap and the adjacent turns of the coil, and either heat expansion or high-voltage arcing can cause shorts between the tap and an adjacent turn, completely changing the effective tuner settings, as

Re: [Elecraft] Adding a low noise preamp into the receive line of the internal 2M trnsverter

Hi Howard, The K144XV itself has a high-gain LNA producing a NF of around 1 dB. It cannot be bypassed without a PCB modification. I’d be cautious about adding another high-gain LNA directly ahead of it. Some stations have an LNA right at the antenna to establish a low noise figure as early

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Not sure. I pulled the plug out and Googled the numbers on it. The plug is labeled CG2 1000, which I think means it is a 1000V breakdown voltage. It appears to be a Littlefuse device, according to Allied Electronics which has the leaded version of the part for $2 ;) Without knowing for sure,

Re: [Elecraft] PX3 & thumb drive...

I have the same problem with my P3. Vic 4X6GP > On 24 Feb 2018, at 17:23, Stephen Shearer wrote: > > I have read, tried, and still can't use a "modern" thumb drive (USB)... with > my PX3 for data transfer. > > I have an OLD thumb drive that works in my PX3 firmware

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Be aware that the device on the page linked presents DC blocking to your feed line, at least the schematic indicates that. If you are running an RCS-4 remote coax switch, (or any coax switch that runs control voltage down the coax), you will need to get a device which passes DC, or change

[Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Great troubleshooting. After a recent Elecraft post by K9YC I purchased three of these https://www.arraysolutions.com/surge-and-rf-protection/as-303u and I will likely buy more as they look really nice. John KK9A K1AY wrote: Thanks Don, and everyone. This morning, after reading the posts, I

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Chris, What is the possibility that you have an HP suppressor body and a 200 watt Arc-Plug? 73, Don W3FPR On 2/24/2018 10:32 AM, Chris Hallinan wrote: Hi Wes. Appreciate the feedback. I'm certainly not impressed by having one marked HP that is clearly not. See my earlier post: the surge

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Are the Alpha surge protectors different than the arc plugs in the Delta-4 switches? I've never had an issue with those at high power. Are they designed to operate at a low impedance (50 ohms) which would present a much lower voltage peak? Or could the arc plug in them become damaged and cause

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Hi Wes. Appreciate the feedback. I'm certainly not impressed by having one marked HP that is clearly not. See my earlier post: the surge protector was my problem all along. It's arcing at about 300W. Do you have a suggestion for alternatives? I live in the lightning capital of the world ;)

[Elecraft] KX3 RF Gain

Can you change the RF Gain control from per band to per mode? In other words, once I set the AF gain control to RF gain, it will stay that way for any band I choose as long as I am in the CW mode. 73 Bill, K0MP __ Elecraft mailing list

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Thanks Don, and everyone. This morning, after reading the posts, I took an approach similar to what Don is proposing. I bypassed the surge protector, and voila, problem gone. Now I have a new problem: The Alpha Delta model TT3G50 is clearly marked HP, but it's behaving like a 200W version. The

[Elecraft] PX3 & thumb drive...

I have read, tried, and still can't use a "modern" thumb drive (USB)... with my PX3 for data transfer. I have an OLD thumb drive that works in my PX3 firmware 1.48... I have a Targus.com M-Sys DiskOnKey 128M formatted as FAT32 that works. (yes, 128 mega...) I have a San Disk Ultra Fit FAT32

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Regardless, I would get rid of those. Pity I can't post pictures here of my examination of the two I bought and returned. Wes  N7WS On 2/24/2018 6:36 AM, Chris Hallinan wrote: ... I am running through a surge protectors from Alpha Delta. I will double check is is not the 200W versions!

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

*/Chris/* You have seen several posts with good advice.  If you want to do an easy test to localize where the failure may be, you can do it with a dummy load. First put the dummy load at the rig.  Check to see if all is OK, if not, blame the rig. Then check the coax - connect the dummy load at

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

I mentioned a spurious signal. I tested this by using a different rig. No problem with it. Sent the K3S for repair. Carl Yaffey K8NU Recording studio. cyaffeyno_s...@gmail.com 614 268 6353, Columbus OH http://www.carl-yaffey.com http://www.grassahol.com http://www.bluesswing.com

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Triage the problem... Dummy load at the end of the tuner chain-- if it works at high power then all is good from the dummy load back, the problem lies downstream of the dummy load. If it fails with the dummy load there, then you have a coax problem between the radio and the dummy load. So

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Another possibility: There is a spurious signal on a widely different frequency. I experienced this. Carl Yaffey K8NU Recording studio. cyaffeyno_s...@gmail.com 614 268 6353, Columbus OH http://www.carl-yaffey.com http://www.grassahol.com http://www.bluesswing.com

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Chris, You have seen several posts with good advice. If you want to do an easy test to localize where the failure may be, you can do it with a dummy load. First put the dummy load at the rig. Check to see if all is OK, if not, blame the rig. Then check the coax - connect the dummy load at

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Thanks, everyone for the helpful hints. Some additional information: This installation is brand new. The antenna has been up only a month or so. Tuner and Balun even less. Coax is newly run, and I've deliberately avoided sharp bends. I purchased the KPA500 in December, so all of this QRO is

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Faulting on high SWR on power rise

Just to add to all the possibilities, there could be an arc at the balun. Most authorities suggest a 1:1 balun with a setup like this. As you know, the impedance seen at the balun will vary all over the map, depending on the band and the length of the 600-ohm line. I've calculated that the

[Elecraft] Adding a low noise preamp into the receive line of the internal 2M trnsverter

Is there an easy way to add a pre amp into the receive line on the internal K3 2M transverter? Howard Sherer AE3T __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm