[Elecraft] Question Regarding KPA-500 on 117 VAC

[Bernie and Cheryl]

Dear Folks:

I have been using my KPA-500 (driven by the K3s and transmitting through 
the KAT-500) for about five years now.  I have long noticed that, when 
first using it, or if it has sat idling for a while, the amp's supply 
voltage will be low on transmit and won't go higher until the amp has 
been used for a couple of minutes. This becomes critical in some 
instances since, particularly on 20 meters, the supply voltage will be 
below 60 volts on transmit for a while and won't increase unless I 
reduce the drive power by a few watts.  I do always reduce the drive 
power to make sure the supply voltage stays at 60 or above (I have been 
told that this keeps the amp operating within normal limits and the math 
indicates that this will make sure the current doesn't get too high).  
Once I've been transmitting for a minute or two (I almost always use 
CW), the amp appears to warm up and I can bump up the drive power a few 
watts for higher power output and still keep the supply voltage at 60 or 
above.


For the record, the amp is plugged into a normal wall outlet supplying 
117VAC (or whatever the house is supplying at that moment), though it is 
not using any of the same outlets that the rest of the shack uses.  I 
realize it is highly likely that all the outlets in the shack are on the 
same breaker, but my prior tube-type amp used to dim the lights a bit 
when I keyed it and had it plugged into the same outlets as the rest of 
the shack.  That stopped happening once I switched the outlet for the 
tube amp and now I'm using that same outlet solely for the KPA-500.


My first question is whether any of you with a KPA-500 experience the 
same thing, i.e., supply voltage is a little low at the beginning and 
increases as the amp warms up?


My second question concerns the fact that, even with the amp warmed up, 
I can seldom (if ever) hit 500 watts out on 20 meters, though I can do 
it easily on all the other bands (I recognize that this is likely caused 
by my antenna's characteristics on that band, though SWR doesn't exceed 
1.7 at any frequency that I use, even without the tuner).  I simply 
can't get the drive up high enough to get there, without the supply 
voltage dipping below 60. Usually, I can get between 350 to 425 watts 
out.  Do you think this would be different if I had a 220 volt outlet 
installed in the shack?  For the record, I recognize that the 100 watt 
or so decrease in power out doesn't make that much difference.  I am 
asking because I wonder if it would be easier on the amp to run it off 
of a 220 volt outlet.


As always, thanks for any help and advice.

73 de Bernie, KF0QS


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[Elecraft] Elecraft CW Net Report

[kevin]

Good Evening,

   Twenty meters was more quiet than I had expected.  Signals were 
strong with mild to moderate QSB.  Forty meters had more noise with 
weaker signals and stronger QSB.  Everyone on twenty meters mentioned 
the weather.  For some it was cold, for others it was windy.  For Roy it 
was very, very windy but he was fortunate when winter tornadoes missed 
to his south.



  On 14050.5 kHz at 2300z:

NO8V - John - MI

W0CZ - Ken - ND

K6XK - Roy - IA

K4JPN - Steve - GA

AB9V - Mike - IN


  On 7047.5 kHz at 0030z:

W0CZ - Ken - ND

K0DTJ - Brian - CA

K6PJV - Dale - CA

WM5F - Dwight - ID


   My forecast is for a few sunny days then snow and rain. Hopefully I 
can get more of my vertical assembled.  Some of the radials have been 
moved.  Elk have been moving through so maybe they tangled with it.  
Luckily, THHN is slippery so they should not get caught in it.  A few 
well placed limbs will keep them out of the way.


   Until next week 73,

  Kevin.  KD5ONS


-



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[Elecraft] Fair price for a KPA-1500

[edauer]

I will be closing my current operating QTH sometime in the next few months
and will be selling a KPA1500, among other things.  Trying now to set a fair
price for it.  If anyone who has recently bought or sold one would be
willing to share the price of their transaction, it would be very helpful.
Replies off-line, please, so I can preserve confidentiality:
eda...@law.du.edu  

 

Tnx,

 

Ted, KN1CBR

 

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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K4 Vs. Flex 6400

[Kurt Pawlikowski]

Morgan,

    Wow! That's a LOT of very useful information. While my situation 
doesn't include an amp, I like your comment about not being able to 
"kill" the Mercury III's. I'll keep that in mind.


    Well, thank you (and everyone else!) for these responses! Now I 
have some thinking to do and a decision to make. If the FTDX-101D really 
can help with my particular noise, that would be great... I'll have to 
really think about that! It means I'd have to sell the Flex (I'm already 
in the process of selling my vintage Drake equipment). We'll see!


    Thanks again!

    k WB9FMC

On 3/6/22 09:31, Morgan Bailey wrote:
For me it is all about the RX. What really stands out with the FTDX101 
is the noise control that it offers. Each button on the rig actually 
does something. And, each something is significant. No other rig that 
I have operated has ever measured up to the 101. I really need that 
advantage of noise control because I live in a city on a city lot, 
with power lines on 3 sides and 3 transformers easily visible from my 
back or front yard. I have electrical noise and that coupled with band 
noise presents quite a problem. The 101 Rx is hands down the best. It 
makes SSB sound like FM. It makes the bandpass quiet until an actual 
signal shows up in it. No roar or harsh static is heard.  Once I 
figured out how I want stuff to sound, I hardly touch the buttons or 
knobs during a contest, other than the RIT (Clarifier on Yaesu) and 
Width controls. I consider myself an average contester. I live on a 
city lot with 68 linear feet for antennas. I cover all frequencies 
from 160 to 2 meters. I can run SO2R with ease running 2 radios on any 
of the 2 coax feeds to the switch. Each radio can run 1kw loafing and 
still not interfere with the other...sans other than the direct exact 
multiple harmonic, even still, it is only S7 to S9.


Yes I know everyone complains about the relays. I do not. I grew up 
with open frame relays that cerchunked like motor control stuff in an 
industrial shop. I wear headphones, W1 Inrad, and do not give a 
tinker's damned for QSK. Running SO2R takes QSK off the board. I suck 
at SO2R. Even when I am SO1R, which is 99% of the time, I still choose 
semi breakin and I relax not having to listen to the static and noise 
in between each character. Running 36 to 40 WPM pretty much negates 
QSK so why listen to the noise. Noise fatigue during a long contest 
will wear you out. I found that when I drove motorcycles, having loud 
pipes wore me down. I wore ear plugs all the time. Later I found that 
doing 1k miles a day an easy task only after I got rid of the pipes 
and switched to a much quieter, meaning silent exhaust. This again 
carries over to my experience with radios.


I love the 101 so much, that yes I have 2 of them for SO2R. But for 
Field day, I took one out and had to tear down the station to move the 
radio to Field Day. Well, yes it works well at Field Day but also so 
does an FTDX10. I believe the FTDX10 is the premier radio for Field 
Day conditions. I love it so much that I bought one just for Field 
Day. Again it is 95% of what the 101 is but mainly it does not have 
the VC tune which is a game changer. I feel that the DX10 will be 
utilized for many DXpedions based on cost and receiver quality being 
able to be operated in an RF noisy environment with ease.


In closing, I love my FTDX101MP, FTDX101D and FTDX10. Taking them out 
of the box, turning them on, having them work the first time, what a 
joy it is having a finished product that performs like a miracle 
solution for my situation. DVRs that work, are easily run by N1MM, 
Keying memories the same, excellent parametric equalizers for transmit 
Audio, some of the highest average power out on ssb that I have ever 
seen, a great pan display, noise control second to none, enough menu 
options that are PLAIN TEXT and easily understood without having to go 
to the manual to look up stuff to decode the led shorthand 
hieroglyphics---for me, Yaesu just hit it out of the park, 
especially when the value for the dollar is considered, NO one, 
absolutely NO one has come remotely close. I make this conclusion 
based on my ears, and my operation ease after having tried, 6500, 
6600, 6600M, 6700, K3S, 7610, 890, 590, 991, 830, Omni6 and many more 
over the years. I played for an hour or so with a 7851 but for the 
, it is not a value for me when the 101 blows it away for my 
station needs.


As for Linear Amps that is a whole different ball of wax. I have had 
many over the years. I have given many the torture test and can tell 
you which ones work and I would trust. But today, if i were to advise 
you to buy an AMP, i would ask a simple question, do you want to run 
FT8? If you run FT8 and want to run power there are very few amps that 
will stand the test. The next question I would ask is do you want a 
tube amp or a transistor amp. Tube amps, at least some of them are far 
more rugged for the dollar. 

[Elecraft] Mar 6th, 40 meter SSB net 7280, 1900Z

[Steve Hall]

Thanks to all my relay stations and check-ins.

WM6P STEVE GA K4D #436 Net control
W3SA JOHN NC K4D #616
K8NU CARL OH FTDX101D
WB9JNZ ERIC IL K3
AC8UC RAY OH K4 #519
WY3T TIM FL K3S
AE6JV BILL NH K3
K1NW BRIAN RI K3
N2GAH BILL NC IC736
N9PTU BUD IL FT990
N8SBE DAVE MI K3S
W5COG  SCOTT OK K3
KD4PBJ CHRIS TN KX3 15WATTS
KD8DCR NICK OH FT991A
AB0R DAVE MN TS890


*Fighting Communists since 1968. *
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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K4 Vs. Flex 6400

[Kurt Pawlikowski]

Dave,

    Sorry, my QRZ page is really dated! I'll have to take some time an 
update it! Currently, I'm in an antenna restricted situation (condo) and 
my antenna is a MFJ loop that I wheel out into the parking lot in order 
to operate.


    As far as the radio goes, it seems to work very respectfully. Makes 
me wish I had that vertical! But currently, my biggest problem is noise. 
This radio does seem to mitigate that to some degree. Of course, getting 
DXCC or any other award does require you spend much more time on the air 
than I currently do! {'-)


    k WB9FMC

On 3/6/22 08:49, David Bunte wrote:

Kurt -

If I may add a little more information… my friend with the ‘7851 and 
the K4D is the only person I have told until now… but I recently 
ordered a K4D.


Another friend near me has been using a Flex (6600 or 6400 I don’t 
recall) and it has been driving him nuts… rebooting in the middle of 
contests etc. he just picked up an Icom 7610 from another friend who 
got a K4D.


I also noted on your QRZ page that you have a vertical antenna. Some 
folks knock them but on less than 10 years using one I confirmed 9 
band DXCC, 308 countries and about 1900 toward DXCC Challenge.


Dave - K9FN

On Sun, Mar 6, 2022 at 9:17 AM Kurt Pawlikowski  wrote:

Dave,

 Very interesting and useful experiential info! It's much
appreciated.

 k WB9FMC

On 3/6/22 06:45, David Bunte wrote:
> Kurt -
>
> I am sending this just to you because I don't want to get into the
> middle of a battle over which radio is the best. We are
fortunate that
> there are a LOT of very fine radios from which we can choose.
Clearly
> only you can decide which radio is best for you. I am writing
because
> a very good friend of mine has owned some of the finest. He
currently
> has an IC-7851, which replaced the '7850 he used for many years. He
> bought an Elecraft K3 when they were first introduced. He had
that set
> up next to his '7850 and alternated between them. He thought
they were
> both excellent radios, but preferred the Icom... because the audio
> sounded better on receive. He and I are both CW operators so when
> evaluating rigs phone performance does not matter to us at
all... but
> I preferred his K3 because I use QSK, which was flawless with
the K3.
> About 11 years ago he loaned me his K3/P3 combination when I
installed
> an antenna at my new house. I had been operating mobile for 5 years
> and finally could operate from the comfort of my own shack. I liked
> the k3 so much that at Dayton in 2011 I was made the first
purchase of
> the weekend when I bought my K3 in kit form.
>
> I am still using that radio today. I have made several upgrades and
> have NEVER second-guessed my decision. I now also have the
KPA500 and
> KAT500.
>
> Now, to the heart of my email. My friend bought an FTDX101MP (I
think
> that is the nomenclature) and put it next to his '7851. He used one
> for a week, and then the other for a week... he alternated like
that
> for months. He was very impressed with the radio in many regards...
> but stopped using it because in a few small ways he felt it did not
> measure up to the Icom. The thing I most clearly remember him not
> liking was the noisy relays when operating semi-breakin on CW. I
> played with the radio for just a little bit and could not stand the
> relay noise. The relays in the '7851 don't bother him at all.
Because
> I use full QSK I could not stand the Yeasu and felt the Icom was
only
> a little better. Also... I lived just under 4 miles from him.
When he
> was on the air I could glance at my P3 and knew which radio he was
> using because the CW waveform was wider on the Yaesu... it was
pretty
> good but the Icom was clearly better. When he was using his Icom we
> could be chewing the rag 2 kHz from each other and not even notice
> that the other was on the band. When he used the Yaesu I had to
be at
> least 4 or 5 kHz away.
>
> I have recently moved to a new QTH and am now just under 1.5 miles
> from him. We had a rag chew last Monday on 40 meters. We
exchanged 40
> db over S9 reports, but at 2 kHz away from his new K4D I could have
> had a QSO... although I am pretty sure I could hear slight
evidence of
> when he was transmitting.
>
> I have no idea if any of my meanderings are helpful or not, but for
> me... a CW operator who loves QSK, I have a hard time considering
> anything other than Elecraft.
>
> I wish you the very best as you consider what to do in the future.
>
> 73 de Dave - K9FN
>
>
> On Sat, Mar 5, 2022 at 10:45 PM Kurt Pawlikowski
 wrote:
>
>     Scott,
>
>      Well, yes: The "numbers" say one thing (or several
things!),
  

Re: [Elecraft] SM$ command

[Stefan Jansen]

Hi all,

Thank you for your detailed answers about the S-Meter on the KX2. With that 
info I can now implement my whitesticker-friendly S-Mmeter for the KX2.




Vy 73 de Stefan, DK7STJ

--
Stefan Jansen***E-Mail: dk7...@darc.de

> Am 02.03.2022 um 00:15 schrieb Jack Brindle :
> 
> Stefan;
> 
> The KX2, like the KX3 and K3, have S-Meters with 21 bars. These go from S1 
> (with just one bar showing) to S9 (9 bars) it then has 12 more bars 
> corresponding to S9 + 5 times the number of extra bars showing. So, if you 
> have an S9+20db signal, there will be a total of 13 bars showing. If you use 
> the K31 setting (set k3 to 1 with the K31; command) the response to the SM 
> command will correspond directly to the number of bars showing, from 0 to 21. 
> Note that the first bar above S9 represents S9 + 5db.
> 
> Without the K3 setting (K30;), that range is cut down to 0 - 15, which is 
> closer to the K2 S-Meter, which has only 10 bars. On the K2, S9 has 6 bars. 
> Above S9 the range goes from S9 to S9 + 40 in  4 bars. In the SM command this 
> is changed to go from S9 (at 6 bars) to S9 + 60 (15 bars). The bars above S9 
> represent 6.66 db, so S9 + 6.66db would be 7 bars, S9 + 20 is 9 bars, and so 
> forth linearly up to S9 + 60 at 15 bars.
> 
> I hope this helps. Using the K31; option really helps here, the S-Meter makes 
> more sense, although having a computer translate for you helps a lot.
> 
> 73,
> Jack, W6FB
> 
> 
>> On Mar 1, 2022, at 2:38 PM, Stefan Jansen  wrote:
>> 
>> Hi Andy,
>> 
>> Yes, I should have been more precise in asking my question. OK, thanks to 
>> your answer I know now that the SM$ command might report exactly the number 
>> of dots that are displayed on the KX2 for the S-Meter. But as I am a white 
>> sticker, I cannot read that display and do not know to which S-meter values 
>> the dots correspond unless it is written in the programmer’s reference. And 
>> there they only tell the values for 6, 9, 12, and 15, but not for the other 
>> values.
>> 
>> So if anybody can help, I would be glad.
>> 
>> 
>> Vy 73 de Stefan, DK7STJ
>> 
>> --
>> Stefan Jansen***E-Mail: dk7...@darc.de
>> 
>>> Am 28.02.2022 um 18:43 schrieb Andy Durbin :
>>> 
>>> Don't have a KX2 but Kenwood meter interrogations return the result as 
>>> "dots" corresponding to the number of dots that are "lit" on the LCD meter 
>>> scale.
>>> 
>>> If the KX2 uses an LCD meter it's likely the same.
>>> 
>>> Andy, k3wyc
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>>> 
>> 
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> 

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Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K4 Vs. Flex 6400

[Kurt Pawlikowski]

Dave,

    Very interesting and useful experiential info! It's much appreciated.

    k WB9FMC

On 3/6/22 06:45, David Bunte wrote:

Kurt -

I am sending this just to you because I don't want to get into the 
middle of a battle over which radio is the best. We are fortunate that 
there are a LOT of very fine radios from which we can choose. Clearly 
only you can decide which radio is best for you. I am writing because 
a very good friend of mine has owned some of the finest. He currently 
has an IC-7851, which replaced the '7850 he used for many years. He 
bought an Elecraft K3 when they were first introduced. He had that set 
up next to his '7850 and alternated between them. He thought they were 
both excellent radios, but preferred the Icom... because the audio 
sounded better on receive. He and I are both CW operators so when 
evaluating rigs phone performance does not matter to us at all... but 
I preferred his K3 because I use QSK, which was flawless with the K3. 
About 11 years ago he loaned me his K3/P3 combination when I installed 
an antenna at my new house. I had been operating mobile for 5 years 
and finally could operate from the comfort of my own shack. I liked 
the k3 so much that at Dayton in 2011 I was made the first purchase of 
the weekend when I bought my K3 in kit form.


I am still using that radio today. I have made several upgrades and 
have NEVER second-guessed my decision. I now also have the KPA500 and 
KAT500.


Now, to the heart of my email. My friend bought an FTDX101MP (I think 
that is the nomenclature) and put it next to his '7851. He used one 
for a week, and then the other for a week... he alternated like that 
for months. He was very impressed with the radio in many regards... 
but stopped using it because in a few small ways he felt it did not 
measure up to the Icom. The thing I most clearly remember him not 
liking was the noisy relays when operating semi-breakin on CW. I 
played with the radio for just a little bit and could not stand the 
relay noise. The relays in the '7851 don't bother him at all. Because 
I use full QSK I could not stand the Yeasu and felt the Icom was only 
a little better. Also... I lived just under 4 miles from him. When he 
was on the air I could glance at my P3 and knew which radio he was 
using because the CW waveform was wider on the Yaesu... it was pretty 
good but the Icom was clearly better. When he was using his Icom we 
could be chewing the rag 2 kHz from each other and not even notice 
that the other was on the band. When he used the Yaesu I had to be at 
least 4 or 5 kHz away.


I have recently moved to a new QTH and am now just under 1.5 miles 
from him. We had a rag chew last Monday on 40 meters. We exchanged 40 
db over S9 reports, but at 2 kHz away from his new K4D I could have 
had a QSO... although I am pretty sure I could hear slight evidence of 
when he was transmitting.


I have no idea if any of my meanderings are helpful or not, but for 
me... a CW operator who loves QSK, I have a hard time considering 
anything other than Elecraft.


I wish you the very best as you consider what to do in the future.

73 de Dave - K9FN


On Sat, Mar 5, 2022 at 10:45 PM Kurt Pawlikowski  wrote:

Scott,

 Well, yes: The "numbers" say one thing (or several things!),
but,
like I said, I'm in love with Elecraft... So, yes, I'm prejudiced! Of
course the "top radio (FT-DX101D)" is somewhat more expensive then
the
6400, and does seem to have some nice whistles and bells. Who knows?
Maybe I'll do a switch to Yaesu... {'-)

 k WB9FMC

On 3/5/22 18:46, Scott Manthe wrote:
> Actually, the Yaesu FTDX101D/MP has the best receiver numbers on
> Sherwood's list. That doesn't mean that it's the best radio for
you,
> but the Flex and the K4 aren't "far and away" better receivers than
> anything else in the amateur market. Ironically, Rob seems to
really
> like Icoms...
>
> 73,
> Scott N9AA
>
>
>
> On 3/5/22 7:26 PM, Kurt Pawlikowski wrote:
>> Rich, Et Al,
>>
>>     Thanks for the comments.
>>
>>     Yes, I'm aware that this might bring up some sort of issues
>> people have with the manufactures or personal experience. My
own is
>> that when I was ordering the radio, I could afford the 6400.
But what
>> I was hoping for, maybe in vain, is some information about how the
>> rigs perform comparatively. I know that either of them are
>> far-and-away better receivers than anything else on the amateur
market.
>>
>>     I my situation, I'm up against a lot of noise (live in a
condo).
>> The Flex seems to mitigate some of that. I was hoping that the K4
>> would be at least comparable.
>>
>>     CW delay: Well, I wired my key and headphones directly to the
>> Flex. My control PC would be way too slow to operate CW through it.
>>
>>     Well, I'm not sure which way to go at