Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Shifting Bands without any change in K3 Frequency
Have you tried putting the KAT500 into MAN mode (not bypass or AUTO)? Once trained for bands (memory loaded), MAN is the best way to use the tuner. It'll recall the tuning combination but won't go into auto-retune. 73, Rick nk7i On 11/14/2022 6:00 PM, Joe Rogers wrote: I am operating the KPA500 KAT500 power combo with the K3. The combination works great and normally makes frequency and antenna changes really simple. I operate on MARS frequencies and normally all works just fine outside of all the amateur bands with the KPA500/KAT500/K3 there is, however, one frequency where there is an issue. When transmitting at about 4.5 MHz using SSB or digital modes, using the KPA500/KAT500/K3 combination, the band indication shoes the KPA500 spuriously shifting back and forth between 3.5 and 5.3 MHz bands. This also affects the amplifier output power. I can also hear what sounds like contact/relay cycling. This makes the combo unusable on this frequency. How can I resolve this problem so that the KPA500 is usable on this frequency? 73 Joe AJ1Y __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to rick.n...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] KPA500 Shifting Bands without any change in K3 Frequency
I am operating the KPA500 KAT500 power combo with the K3. The combination works great and normally makes frequency and antenna changes really simple. I operate on MARS frequencies and normally all works just fine outside of all the amateur bands with the KPA500/KAT500/K3 there is, however, one frequency where there is an issue. When transmitting at about 4.5 MHz using SSB or digital modes, using the KPA500/KAT500/K3 combination, the band indication shoes the KPA500 spuriously shifting back and forth between 3.5 and 5.3 MHz bands. This also affects the amplifier output power. I can also hear what sounds like contact/relay cycling. This makes the combo unusable on this frequency. How can I resolve this problem so that the KPA500 is usable on this frequency? 73 Joe AJ1Y __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
It's all Cu now. They just replaced all the underground cables in our subdivision. Big stuff. 200A service is the residential standard these days (we had 400A at the office). The more expensive it is, the better they like it since the utility rates guarantee them a fixed percentage of return on their capital investments. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Brown Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 5:20 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage? On 11/14/2022 2:08 PM, Lyn Norstad wrote: > Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around > here. I don't know what Chicago Codes are like now, but Comm Ed pulled Al conductors to my meter when I requested 100A service, and they refused to pull Cu. This would have been around 1987-90. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to l...@lnainc.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
On 11/14/2022 2:08 PM, Lyn Norstad wrote: Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around here. I don't know what Chicago Codes are like now, but Comm Ed pulled Al conductors to my meter when I requested 100A service, and they refused to pull Cu. This would have been around 1987-90. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
Yes ... both. Go look for yourself. Flexible cords like line cords are almost never aluminum ... I assume because line cords use fine stranded wires and if I'm not mistaken copper is more ductile than aluminum. Dave AB7E On 11/14/2022 3:42 PM, Lou Mecseri wrote: BUT NOT BOTH. How about line cords?" Lou KE1F On 11/14/2022 22:32, David Gilbert wrote: There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with aluminum wire, and it is typically what is used for very large gauge wire ... even for the utility entrance in my location. I would bet that if you look closely at your breaker box you will see the same for the main feed coming in unless you have a very lowly rated box for current. I don't think you can even find , for example, 4/0 wire in copper at places like Home Depot or Lowes. The historical problem associated with aluminum wire was the material used for connections at the sockets and other places. That has all been changed long ago and if you look closely at many electrical fixtures and buss bars you will see that the contacts are stamped to be rated for either copper or aluminum. Dave AB7E On 11/14/2022 3:08 PM, Lyn Norstad wrote: Ed - I cringe when I think of aluminum wiring. I know it's currently about half the price of copper, but a townhouse I lived in from 1979-1982 in Chicago caught fire because of aluminum wiring and copper outlets. In fact, statistics show that 50% of home fires are due to aluminum wiring. Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around here. It's all copper. Has been for at least 40 years. If you're stuck with aluminum (and it's legal??), be sure to liberally apply antioxidant where needed. 73 Lyn, WØLEN __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lmecs...@cfl.rr.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to ab7e...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
Aluminum was legal at one point, as I recall it was the 80's (copper prices were obscene). It was an expensive mistake to allow aluminum wiring. I attended some fires as a result of aluminum wire (career firefighter, eventually Captain). My suspicion was that as switches and plugs were used, aluminum tolerated the small flexing less than copper (which basically self heals, molds to the connection being softer) and as it is exposed to air, a layer of aluminum oxide is produced (wrapping the internal content ) creating higher resistance. Over time the resistance and small flexes caused arcing, that gets to a point that it heats; causing the excitement. I don't have the chemistry or metallurigc background to confirm this; but this was the result of the cause investigation.. Adding a copper pigtail is a practical solution (cheaper than replacing all the wire). Aluminum wire is not used by me, anywhere, just like the backstab plugs and switches (if you can't bind them down; don't use them). I have seen the harm that can result and don't want to lose my house and possessions as I've seen others lose. In the cost of a house or shack, copper; the small increase in cost reaps major benefits (and aluminum is no longer legal for new construction, at least when I retired). 73, Rick nk7i On 11/14/2022 2:25 PM, Fred Jensen wrote: When my younger brother was finally out of the house for good, Mom and Dad bought a double-wide, sold the house in So. Central LAX, and moved south into a "Mobile Estates Park" in Costa Mesa. The wiring was Al. About 3 years later, they had a problem in one of the outlets that involved a small amount of smoke. That wasn't a serious incident, but Dad had to go around to each of the switches and outlets and put Cu pigtails on the Al wires to connect to the devices. I never got a clear story about what caused the original problem or why this would fix it. But, I'm really wary of Al wiring in house in which we sleep. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Lyn Norstad wrote on 11/14/2022 2:08 PM: Ed - I cringe when I think of aluminum wiring. I know it's currently about half the price of copper, but a townhouse I lived in from 1979-1982 in Chicago caught fire because of aluminum wiring and copper outlets. In fact, statistics show that 50% of home fires are due to aluminum wiring. Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around here. It's all copper. Has been for at least 40 years. If you're stuck with aluminum (and it's legal??), be sure to liberally apply antioxidant where needed. 73 Lyn, WØLEN __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
BUT NOT BOTH. How about line cords?" Lou KE1F On 11/14/2022 22:32, David Gilbert wrote: There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with aluminum wire, and it is typically what is used for very large gauge wire ... even for the utility entrance in my location. I would bet that if you look closely at your breaker box you will see the same for the main feed coming in unless you have a very lowly rated box for current. I don't think you can even find , for example, 4/0 wire in copper at places like Home Depot or Lowes. The historical problem associated with aluminum wire was the material used for connections at the sockets and other places. That has all been changed long ago and if you look closely at many electrical fixtures and buss bars you will see that the contacts are stamped to be rated for either copper or aluminum. Dave AB7E On 11/14/2022 3:08 PM, Lyn Norstad wrote: Ed - I cringe when I think of aluminum wiring. I know it's currently about half the price of copper, but a townhouse I lived in from 1979-1982 in Chicago caught fire because of aluminum wiring and copper outlets. In fact, statistics show that 50% of home fires are due to aluminum wiring. Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around here. It's all copper. Has been for at least 40 years. If you're stuck with aluminum (and it's legal??), be sure to liberally apply antioxidant where needed. 73 Lyn, WØLEN __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lmecs...@cfl.rr.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
Aluminum wiring is "penny wise and pound foolish". Coming from a retired Fire Investigator. Good Luck and 73, Lou KE1F On 11/14/2022 22:08, Lyn Norstad wrote: Ed - I cringe when I think of aluminum wiring. I know it's currently about half the price of copper, but a townhouse I lived in from 1979-1982 in Chicago caught fire because of aluminum wiring and copper outlets. In fact, statistics show that 50% of home fires are due to aluminum wiring. Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around here. It's all copper. Has been for at least 40 years. If you're stuck with aluminum (and it's legal??), be sure to liberally apply antioxidant where needed. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ed Cole Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 3:43 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage? On the general subject of house wiring, loads, and resulting voltage: I am wiring my new hamshack with 240vac mains extension from the house. I selected three No. 2 awg aluminum lines (copper not commonly used these days). These are approx 1/4-inch diameter. That is rated for 90A (in general). Resistance is 0.318 ohms/1000-feet so my 120-foot run has 0.0382 ohms. At 50A this results in a voltage drop of 1.9v. My service voltage is 243VAC. Estimation of max load at the new hamshack/workshop calculates as 36.5A. Maximum will likely never exist as not everything will be activated simultaneously, but good design is for max load. Largest load is electric baseboard heat (4000w); 50v PS is next (3000w). All my QRO amps are LDMOS and run about 2500w dc-input. I use three of these switching PS, but only one at a time. Info on my website: www.kl7uw.com 73, Ed - KL7UW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to l...@lnainc.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to lmecs...@cfl.rr.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
There is absolutely nothing inherently wrong with aluminum wire, and it is typically what is used for very large gauge wire ... even for the utility entrance in my location. I would bet that if you look closely at your breaker box you will see the same for the main feed coming in unless you have a very lowly rated box for current. I don't think you can even find , for example, 4/0 wire in copper at places like Home Depot or Lowes. The historical problem associated with aluminum wire was the material used for connections at the sockets and other places. That has all been changed long ago and if you look closely at many electrical fixtures and buss bars you will see that the contacts are stamped to be rated for either copper or aluminum. Dave AB7E On 11/14/2022 3:08 PM, Lyn Norstad wrote: Ed - I cringe when I think of aluminum wiring. I know it's currently about half the price of copper, but a townhouse I lived in from 1979-1982 in Chicago caught fire because of aluminum wiring and copper outlets. In fact, statistics show that 50% of home fires are due to aluminum wiring. Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around here. It's all copper. Has been for at least 40 years. If you're stuck with aluminum (and it's legal??), be sure to liberally apply antioxidant where needed. 73 Lyn, WØLEN __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
When my younger brother was finally out of the house for good, Mom and Dad bought a double-wide, sold the house in So. Central LAX, and moved south into a "Mobile Estates Park" in Costa Mesa. The wiring was Al. About 3 years later, they had a problem in one of the outlets that involved a small amount of smoke. That wasn't a serious incident, but Dad had to go around to each of the switches and outlets and put Cu pigtails on the Al wires to connect to the devices. I never got a clear story about what caused the original problem or why this would fix it. But, I'm really wary of Al wiring in house in which we sleep. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County Lyn Norstad wrote on 11/14/2022 2:08 PM: Ed - I cringe when I think of aluminum wiring. I know it's currently about half the price of copper, but a townhouse I lived in from 1979-1982 in Chicago caught fire because of aluminum wiring and copper outlets. In fact, statistics show that 50% of home fires are due to aluminum wiring. Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around here. It's all copper. Has been for at least 40 years. If you're stuck with aluminum (and it's legal??), be sure to liberally apply antioxidant where needed. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -- This email has been checked for viruses by AVG antivirus software. www.avg.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
On 11/14/2022 1:43 PM, Ed Cole wrote: That is rated for 90A (in general). Resistance is 0.318 ohms/1000-feet so my 120-foot run has 0.0382 ohms. At 50A this results in a voltage drop of 1.9v. My service voltage is 243VAC. It's important to realize that current on AC mains is FAR from being a sine wave. This has been true for at least 30 years, as loads have been strongly dominated by switch-mode power supplies in almost every piece of equipment wiring into or plugged into, the system, and square-wave modulated controllers for nearly all large loads, like motors and heating devices. Current flows in pulses, usually short ones, that recharge the input capacitors of associated power supplies. The result of this is that both IR drop and the resulting heating are at least one-third greater than predicted by Ohm's Law applied to a sine wave. It is, therefore, very good engineering practice to oversize conductors, as you have done! Before we moved into the home we bought in NorCal, I had the outbuilding housing my shack rewired, and even though the runs from the panelboard are pretty short, had #10 pulled in for the 20A-240V circuit. Since I will never have more than one amp on at a time, I felt that 20A was sufficient. All of the 120V circuits are 20A, wired with #12, not oversized, since the only heavy load, 1 12A space heater, has its own circuit. 73, Jim K9YC 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
Ed - I cringe when I think of aluminum wiring. I know it's currently about half the price of copper, but a townhouse I lived in from 1979-1982 in Chicago caught fire because of aluminum wiring and copper outlets. In fact, statistics show that 50% of home fires are due to aluminum wiring. Aluminum does not meet any current (pun by chance ...) building codes around here. It's all copper. Has been for at least 40 years. If you're stuck with aluminum (and it's legal??), be sure to liberally apply antioxidant where needed. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Ed Cole Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 3:43 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage? On the general subject of house wiring, loads, and resulting voltage: I am wiring my new hamshack with 240vac mains extension from the house. I selected three No. 2 awg aluminum lines (copper not commonly used these days). These are approx 1/4-inch diameter. That is rated for 90A (in general). Resistance is 0.318 ohms/1000-feet so my 120-foot run has 0.0382 ohms. At 50A this results in a voltage drop of 1.9v. My service voltage is 243VAC. Estimation of max load at the new hamshack/workshop calculates as 36.5A. Maximum will likely never exist as not everything will be activated simultaneously, but good design is for max load. Largest load is electric baseboard heat (4000w); 50v PS is next (3000w). All my QRO amps are LDMOS and run about 2500w dc-input. I use three of these switching PS, but only one at a time. Info on my website: www.kl7uw.com 73, Ed - KL7UW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to l...@lnainc.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
On the general subject of house wiring, loads, and resulting voltage: I am wiring my new hamshack with 240vac mains extension from the house. I selected three No. 2 awg aluminum lines (copper not commonly used these days). These are approx 1/4-inch diameter. That is rated for 90A (in general). Resistance is 0.318 ohms/1000-feet so my 120-foot run has 0.0382 ohms. At 50A this results in a voltage drop of 1.9v. My service voltage is 243VAC. Estimation of max load at the new hamshack/workshop calculates as 36.5A. Maximum will likely never exist as not everything will be activated simultaneously, but good design is for max load. Largest load is electric baseboard heat (4000w); 50v PS is next (3000w). All my QRO amps are LDMOS and run about 2500w dc-input. I use three of these switching PS, but only one at a time. Info on my website: www.kl7uw.com 73, Ed - KL7UW __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] 40 meter SSB net, Nov 13 Sunday
7.280Z 1900Z THANKS TO MY RELAY STATIONS WM6P STEVE GA K4D NETCONTROL W9EJB ED IN K4D AE6JV BILL NH K3 K1NW BRIAN RI K4D K1ND JAN MI K4 K8NU CARL OH FTDX101D KQ4CWR JOHN GA FT710 N8SBE DAVE MI K3S K5PD PETE TX K3 K4HJB HOWARD SC KX2 W5COG SCOTT OK K3 KB1NU JOHN MA K4D KK4TPI CASEY VA FTDX1200 NK9A STAN MI IC706 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Good Natured Contesting Advice
Sorry for the late reply, but I was out of town last week on a fishing trip... On Thu, Nov 10, 2022 at 6:28 AM Nate Bargmann wrote: But the rules state the call is to be sent between the Prec > and Check (years back I recall a software author from outside the US > stating that the call in the exchange was redundant and when it was > pointed out that the SS rules state it is required as part of the > exchange his retort was that the rules were wrong!) This is a *huge* burr under my saddle! It totally messes with my mind when someone sends the PREC and then the CK without a callsign in between. I almost always have to ask for a fill in those cases. I had two or three this year that did that out of about 700 or so contacts...and all of those were from people who should have known better. And one was a guy who was sending about 40wpm, trying, no doubt, to be "efficient". 73 de Lee, AA4GA __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
Jim - Of course, that's what the various taps are for. But at the higher setting, although the voltage was within the published "acceptable" range, 2 components in the power supply failed. This was the second time it had been back for service - the first time they discovered missing components (it was factory built). I'm not going to argue with the Mothership. It has been flawless since the second service trip. If I'm down a couple watts (not at all sure that's the case), it's better than being down a couple Franklins. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jim Brown Sent: Monday, November 14, 2022 12:37 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage? On 11/14/2022 6:38 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote: > I had mine set up, as Rick suggests - but when it was in for service, they dropped it back a notch saying it was too high. That's the difference between their mains wiring and yours. I'd stick with what is highest, within range, at your QTH. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to l...@lnainc.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
On 11/14/2022 9:36 AM, Jon Poland wrote: My 12 year old house has 200 amp service. I don't know why. But since building it, we have shifted to 90+% LED lighting, high efficiency dishwasher, fridge, and clothes washer. My entire lighting load at any given time is less than 120W. A smart thermostat reduces AC and furnace loads. The 2 largest electrical loads are the clothes dryer and gas furnace blower. This house is also better insulated than any home I have ever owned - also reducing the furnace load (gas and electricity). What you're missing, Jon, is that IR drop to that outlet that feeds the KPA500 is NOT the total load to the home, but primarily the IR drop FROM THE PANEL of the circuit that feeds the amp. The feed from the street to that panel is usually a small fraction of that. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
On 11/14/2022 6:38 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote: I had mine set up, as Rick suggests - but when it was in for service, they dropped it back a notch saying it was too high. That's the difference between their mains wiring and yours. I'd stick with what is highest, within range, at your QTH. 73, Jim K9YC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
Jon, Then we disagree, I'm not brokenhearted, hi hi. But not entirely. Lights are now (by law in places) LED but that is a trivial load in the greater picture. Older homes often struggle with appliances, which (conveniently) are now more efficient, using less load, BUT some are still substantial (electric oven, HVAC. electric dryer) in old homes. There are still plenty of old homes with wiring dating from the build date, trying to keep up with present day loads. The general point is to be aware of the larger picture; what is being consumed; which circuit supplies to what item/s and most importantly: Is ANY circuit being used to the max, unknowingly or not? If you're still using (because it runs and is paid for) an older appliance; it uses more energy. Be aware, more so if you're in a 60 year old house (when lights and perhaps a radio station to listen to was the norm). This time of year (in the north US at least); folks are starting to use portable electric heaters to augment the HVAC (I use a wood stove by preference, warm AND dry heat, the HVAC is the fallback plan). House fires are increasing at the same rate; often caused by wiring issues (most often, using a power strip and failing to note the load on the entire circuit or the strip). (Chimney fires are the second most cause this time of year.) The real issue: Folks don't look at what they're doing; they just keep plugging stuff in blithe ignorance. Again back to the original point, the power company MAY provide 110V or 120V or anything in between over the course of a day (most are VERY stable at what they provide); what the operator gets at the station plugs, tracks that too. If the provider offers 110V instead of 120V (the present standard); the tap on the transformer will have to be changed. If the house circuit struggles to provide the current; keep the tapped voltage within that window (and update the wiring). What happened in central coast CA, may not be the same as BFE Texas on old wiring, in an old home (knob and tube still?). If the lights dim while transmitting; you're (likely) exceeding the current capacity of the circuit. (If they get brighter, you have a house electrical grounding situation; excluding RFI cause; a far more dangerous alert.) Bottom line: Use the tap that keeps the amp within the voltage span required. Watch and be aware of the total house load/s, in particular whatever shares the amp power circuit. Don't overload ANY of the circuits. I think we can agree on that point. ;-) 73, Rick nk7i On 11/14/2022 9:36 AM, Jon Poland wrote: I disagree with Rick. It is true that modern houses have more electric capacity. But as homeowners shift to more efficient appliances and lighting, electric loads (and bills) are consistently dropping. The one trend that counters that though is that modern homes (at least in the US) are consistently larger than their older counterparts and require more energy to keep comfortable. That trend does not explain voltage drops though. My 12 year old house has 200 amp service. I don't know why. But since building it, we have shifted to 90+% LED lighting, high efficiency dishwasher, fridge, and clothes washer. My entire lighting load at any given time is less than 120W. A smart thermostat reduces AC and furnace loads. The 2 largest electrical loads are the clothes dryer and gas furnace blower. This house is also better insulated than any home I have ever owned - also reducing the furnace load (gas and electricity). Curiously, the next largest load in many homes are the TV's turned on in every bedroom... (But their heat reduces the amount of time the furnace needs to run.) Of course, if you have an electric car charger the picture changes drastically... But that is still a small percentage of US homes today. jon N0WL On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 11:10 AM Rick Bates, NK7I wrote: Too high at THEIR location. Power company feeds, vary (not a lot but their load changes, they adjust). House wiring varies and other devices on that circuit can cause other variations too. Older homes (1950's and older) often have less capacity than newer homes (didn't need it then). Today we use a LOT more energy than then; some house circuits are no longer 'adequate' (causing fires in some cases because folks abuse the wiring in ignorance). Part of station set up and operations, is knowing what the circuit(s) of the house wiring, is connected to besides the station. Fridge, washer, HVAC, electric oven shared with the station? If you need one more tap to get within the right voltage window, use one more tap to achieve that. If you change circuits, remeasure. And if on the same circuit, maybe don't run the washing machine or oven at the same time as the amp. ;-) 73, Rick nk7i On 11/14/2022 6:38 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote: >
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
I disagree with Rick. It is true that modern houses have more electric capacity. But as homeowners shift to more efficient appliances and lighting, electric loads (and bills) are consistently dropping. The one trend that counters that though is that modern homes (at least in the US) are consistently larger than their older counterparts and require more energy to keep comfortable. That trend does not explain voltage drops though. My 12 year old house has 200 amp service. I don't know why. But since building it, we have shifted to 90+% LED lighting, high efficiency dishwasher, fridge, and clothes washer. My entire lighting load at any given time is less than 120W. A smart thermostat reduces AC and furnace loads. The 2 largest electrical loads are the clothes dryer and gas furnace blower. This house is also better insulated than any home I have ever owned - also reducing the furnace load (gas and electricity). Curiously, the next largest load in many homes are the TV's turned on in every bedroom... (But their heat reduces the amount of time the furnace needs to run.) Of course, if you have an electric car charger the picture changes drastically... But that is still a small percentage of US homes today. jon N0WL On Mon, Nov 14, 2022 at 11:10 AM Rick Bates, NK7I wrote: > Too high at THEIR location. > > Power company feeds, vary (not a lot but their load changes, they adjust). > > House wiring varies and other devices on that circuit can cause other > variations too. Older homes (1950's and older) often have less capacity > than newer homes (didn't need it then). Today we use a LOT more energy > than then; some house circuits are no longer 'adequate' (causing fires > in some cases because folks abuse the wiring in ignorance). > > Part of station set up and operations, is knowing what the circuit(s) of > the house wiring, is connected to besides the station. Fridge, washer, > HVAC, electric oven shared with the station? > > If you need one more tap to get within the right voltage window, use one > more tap to achieve that. If you change circuits, remeasure. And if on > the same circuit, maybe don't run the washing machine or oven at the > same time as the amp. ;-) > > 73, > Rick nk7i > > > On 11/14/2022 6:38 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote: > > Gordon - > > > > I had mine set up, as Rick suggests - but when it was in for service, > they dropped it back a notch saying it was too high. > > > > My readings now agree with yours. > > > > 73 > > Lyn, WØLEN > > > > > > -Original Message- > > From:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto: > elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rick NK7I > > Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 1:03 PM > > To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage? > > > > I'd move it up one tap as long as it does NOT EXCEED 85V at receive. > > > > Higher voltage not only gives you better output but also cleaner. That > > matters too. > > > > 73, > > Rick nk7i > > > > > > On 11/12/2022 10:25 AM, Gordon LaPoint wrote: > >> My KPA500 is showing 57-58 VDC at 450-500 watts out, and 71-72 VDC on > rx. > >> > >> Is this normal or should I move up one tap? > >> > >> Thanks, > >> > >> Gordon - N1MGO > >> > >> > >> __ > >> Elecraft mailing list > >> Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > >> Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > >> Post:mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >> > >> This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net > >> Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > >> Message delivered torick.n...@gmail.com > > __ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > > Post:mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > > > This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net > > Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > > Message delivered to...@lnainc.com > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to jonpol...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
Too high at THEIR location. Power company feeds, vary (not a lot but their load changes, they adjust). House wiring varies and other devices on that circuit can cause other variations too. Older homes (1950's and older) often have less capacity than newer homes (didn't need it then). Today we use a LOT more energy than then; some house circuits are no longer 'adequate' (causing fires in some cases because folks abuse the wiring in ignorance). Part of station set up and operations, is knowing what the circuit(s) of the house wiring, is connected to besides the station. Fridge, washer, HVAC, electric oven shared with the station? If you need one more tap to get within the right voltage window, use one more tap to achieve that. If you change circuits, remeasure. And if on the same circuit, maybe don't run the washing machine or oven at the same time as the amp. ;-) 73, Rick nk7i On 11/14/2022 6:38 AM, Lyn Norstad wrote: Gordon - I had mine set up, as Rick suggests - but when it was in for service, they dropped it back a notch saying it was too high. My readings now agree with yours. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rick NK7I Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 1:03 PM To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage? I'd move it up one tap as long as it does NOT EXCEED 85V at receive. Higher voltage not only gives you better output but also cleaner. That matters too. 73, Rick nk7i On 11/12/2022 10:25 AM, Gordon LaPoint wrote: My KPA500 is showing 57-58 VDC at 450-500 watts out, and 71-72 VDC on rx. Is this normal or should I move up one tap? Thanks, Gordon - N1MGO __ Elecraft mailing list Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post:mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered torick.n...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home:http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post:mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by:http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list:http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to...@lnainc.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?
Gordon - I had mine set up, as Rick suggests - but when it was in for service, they dropped it back a notch saying it was too high. My readings now agree with yours. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Rick NK7I Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2022 1:03 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage? I'd move it up one tap as long as it does NOT EXCEED 85V at receive. Higher voltage not only gives you better output but also cleaner. That matters too. 73, Rick nk7i On 11/12/2022 10:25 AM, Gordon LaPoint wrote: > My KPA500 is showing 57-58 VDC at 450-500 watts out, and 71-72 VDC on rx. > > Is this normal or should I move up one tap? > > Thanks, > > Gordon - N1MGO > > > __ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to rick.n...@gmail.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to l...@lnainc.com __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
