For my operating I went with this as an authoritative source from March 2012:
There should be no interaction issues between the KAT500 and the KPA500 when the
KAT is under the amp. We also beefed up the KAT500 cabinet to handle the weight
of the KPA500. Also, placing it on top of the amp does not raise amp PA
transistor temp significantly for most casual duty cycle use, typically raising
it a few degrees. In some cases it will cause the amp's fan to move to a higher
speed during TX. For higher intensity operation, with the ATU on top of the amp,
key down 100% for several minutes the PA temp will raise 5-9 degrees above what
its normal operating temp would be without the ATU on top. The fan will also
operate at a higher speed. In our testing at normal room temps this was still
well below the amp's max temp fault trigger point. But if you plan on RTTY or
other high duty cycle modes with a lot of continuous RX time, especially under
higher ambient temp conditions, we recommend placing the KAT500 to the side or
under the amp. Also, the amp protects itself from over temp situations with its
soft and hard fault triggers. So feel free to try it out on top to see how it
works under your typical operating conditions. 73, Eric
No problems and with my with shack in the basement don't ever recall the fan
even going to a higher speed so never experienced a fault.
.
I do not do the high duty cycle digital modes so once again the answer is "it
all depends" . .
73,
Bob
K2TK ex KN2TKR (1956) & K2TKR
On 9/17/2015 2:32 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote:
The manual I have in my computer (from March 2014) says on Page 10:
0.
Positioning the Amplifier
Provide at least 2 inches (5 cm) clearance
behind the fan and 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the
amplifier for normal cooling air flow.
Microsoft Word - KPA500 Owner's man Rev D.doc So if I placed the KAT500 atop
the KPA500 I would use some spacers in each corner area. In fact, I purchased
such spacers at the time, but ended up with the tuner in a different location.
73, Phil W7OX
On 9/17/15 8:58 AM, Phil Hystad wrote:
I thought I remember either Wayne or Eric of Elecraft saying that the KAT500
could easily sit on top, or under, the KAP500. Either way is OK.
73, phil, K7PEH
On Sep 17, 2015, at 8:49 AM, David Bunte <[email protected]> wrote:
I have enjoyed the discussion and pictures of equipment stop etc... but was
a bit surprised by the number of photos I have seen of the KAT500 sitting
atop the KPA500.
I borrowed a KAT500 from a friend and placed it on top of my KPA500 because
I was just testing it and knew that would not be a long term arrangement.
I now own a KAT500 and my KPA500 sits on top of the tuner. PERHAPS the
cooling of the amp is not too severely impeded by placing the tuner on top
of the amp, but I did not want to take any chances.... and Elecraft clearly
states that the tuner is designed to be able to support the weight of the
amp.
Regardless of where it sits, the combination sure works nicely. My shack is
small, and I don't have other gear to accomodate, so my station layout was
very straightforward.
Dave - K9FN
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