Hi Bill. A Fluke plugged into the same outlet shows 120.0 VAC unkeyed and 116.9 VAC (60 V internal) keyed with 190 watts out. 114.4 (55 V internal) with 500 watts out.
This is CW. I could drop the tap down to RED (106-115 VAC). I kind of feel I'm on the borderline. I'm trying to get a buddy to listen for my signal to see if there's any anomalies he can identify. I'm getting a low hum at key down but reading the book that seems about normal. Nothing bothersome. Kev On Wed, Feb 15, 2017 at 4:35 PM, Bill Johnson <[email protected]> wrote: > Ken, From what I know, sounds like the line voltage may be low when keying > down. Measure it with the amp running if you can. If it stays steady, you > are ok. I don't know your house wiring and fusing, check that. #14 wire > is good at 15 amps at the breaker and #12 is fused at 20 amps. If the line > voltage dips and nothing blows in the fuse box given these numbers, then > might moving the tap. The manual is clear on settings. Depending on the > line load and the house wiring size and fusing, then you might have to do a > bit more. My line voltage is closer to 125V and fused at 20, the amp stays > above the 60 volts always and I run full power with SSB. I left the > default on my factory KPA500. I think it comes set at the higher voltage. > > 73, > Bill > K9YEQ > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Elecraft [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > Kevin - K4VD > Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 3:22 PM > To: Elecraft Reflector Reflector <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Considering KPA500/KAT500 Combo with Flex 6500 > > I feel like a kid with his first BB gun. Real nervous every time I pull > the trigger. But so far things seem to be working as they should. > > I hooked the Flex 6500 through the KPA500 to the KAT500 after doing all > the setup stuff. My supply voltage is 120.7 VAC and HV reads 73.7 until I > key down. I used the yellow tap. It drops to 54 V which seems kind of low. > The book says less than 60 volts with reduced output power and as low as 40. > Not sure if I should move the tap from yellow to red. I'll leave it on > yellow for now. > > A quick test of input vs. output shows around 14 A max: > > in out > 10 190 > 15 290 > 20 380 > 25 460 > 30 520 > > That was on 40 meters. On 20 meters the output is a bit lower with 500 > being reached at 35 in. I'm setting the rig's max out to 35 watts. > > I'm not using DDUtils or the new USB band data stuff from Flex quite yet. > I just have the basic setup of keying and letting the auto-band detect do > its job. So far so good I think. > > Still some testing and getting over the nerves left to do. The antenna is > a dipole except hex on 20. > > Did anyone else almost jump out of their chair the first time the KAT500 > tuned up? I'm having a good day! :) > > 73, > Kev K4VD > > > On Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 1:33 PM, Kevin - K4VD <[email protected]> wrote: > > > Thanks for your advice everyone. I just ordered the combo KPA/KAT > package. > > Now comes the long wait. > > > > Is it here yet? > > > > 73, > > Kev K4VD > > > > On Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 12:06 PM, Al K0VM <[email protected]> wrote: > > > >> Kev, > >> > >> I use Elecrafts KXUSBa USB to 3.5 serial for the KAT500 to PC/Flex. > >> And USB to RS232 serial for the KPA500 to PC/Flex ( the KUSB included > >> now included with the KPA500 should work). > >> > >> AL, K0VM > >> > >> On 2/10/2017 10:37 AM, Kevin - K4VD wrote: > >> > >> Hi Al... > >> > >> This is exactly what I was hoping to hear. The "500 watt radio" is > >> perfect. I think I'm about to place the order for the combo > >> KPA/KAT-500. Do you know of any accessories/additional cables I will > >> need? Also, as I set things up, would you mind if I hit you up with > additional questions? > >> > >> Kev > >> > >> > >> On Fri, Feb 10, 2017 at 11:14 AM, Al K0VM <[email protected]> wrote: > >> > >>> I find the KPA500/KAT500 a perfect match for my 6500.. The simple > >>> set up is just a key line from the 6500 thru the KAT to the KPA. > >>> With a couple of USB cables to the back of the 6500, both will track > frequency/band changes. > >>> DDUtil will give you a bit more automation with the USB cables > >>> attached to the PC instead. > >>> > >>> Its almost a plug and play, and almost acts like as a 500 watt radio > >>> rather separate boxes > >>> > >>> AL, K0VM > >>> > >>> On 2/9/2017 8:49 PM, Kevin - K4VD wrote: > >>> > >>> Hi... with all the hoopla over the new $7K Flex amplifier I was > >>> feeling a little power envy so went on a search for options. I own > >>> an Elecraft KX3 and absolutely love the rig quality so I'm thinking > >>> about the KPA500/KAT500 combination assuming I'll get the same quality > equipment. > >>> > >>> Is anyone running this combination with the Flex 6500 who might > >>> share their thoughts, configurations, hints & kinks? > >>> > >>> I'm thinking the combination makes sense for me because (my decision > >>> points): > >>> > >>> 1) Being a low power operator, 500 watts seems a lot more manageable > >>> than a nuclear powered 1.5 KW setup. It seems like a good, safe step. > >>> > >>> 2) No electrician required. I think I can run it off 110 VAC already > >>> in my shack. > >>> > >>> 3) If I understand correctly, there is little or no integration > >>> effort required. I'm looking at putting it inline with the RF path > >>> and adding a PTT connection. Voila. > >>> > >>> 4) The KX3 is able to easily tune my 600 ohm ladder line fed (via > >>> 4:1 > >>> BALUN) 80 meter dipole on any band so I would guess the KAT500 > >>> wouldn't have an issue. > >>> > >>> Is there a reason I shouldn't consider this setup with the Flex? The > >>> only other thing that caught my eye was the ACOM 1010 which would > >>> also require an external tuner. > >>> > >>> 73, > >>> Kev K4VD > >>> ______________________________________________________________ > >>> Elecraft mailing list > >>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >>> Post: mailto:[email protected] <[email protected]> > >>> > >>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this > >>> email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to > >>> [email protected] > >>> > >>> > > > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] > ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
