Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 installtion with ICOM 7300
Andy, If you do connect the ALC, check the maximum drive power that you need for each band and do not exceed it. In other words, do not drive the amp into ALC. Using ALC to control the transceiver drive power will result in overdrive and distortion. You can hear that distortion on the bands. Should you upgrade to an Elecraft K3, you can set a per band drive level for when the amplifier is active and when it is bypassed. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/10/2018 5:17 PM, ANDY DURBIN wrote: "That's the point. The ALC cable protects the KPA-500 when the operator "spaces" and leaves the exciter power control at full power (100+ Watt) level." My experience, and I have 10 Hz logger data, shows that the amp alarms, sets fault FL06, and drops into standby mode with no change in the ALC voltage level being observed. I didn't set out to investigate this but my logger was running when I accidentally tripped FL06 on 6 meters this afternoon. It appears to me that ALC only provides protection if the normal over-drive protections fail. Currently the ALC voltage only feeds my logger and is not connected to my TS-590S. 73, Andy k3wyc __ 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 donw...@embarqmail.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 installtion with ICOM 7300
"That's the point. The ALC cable protects the KPA-500 when the operator "spaces" and leaves the exciter power control at full power (100+ Watt) level." My experience, and I have 10 Hz logger data, shows that the amp alarms, sets fault FL06, and drops into standby mode with no change in the ALC voltage level being observed. I didn't set out to investigate this but my logger was running when I accidentally tripped FL06 on 6 meters this afternoon. It appears to me that ALC only provides protection if the normal over-drive protections fail. Currently the ALC voltage only feeds my logger and is not connected to my TS-590S. 73, Andy k3wyc __ 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 installtion with ICOM 7300
Don is correct (as usual). The KPA will first see the band change, perform that task, then try to amplify at the desired frequency. If it then sees a bad reflected power level it will wait for the KAT to do something (which means removing PTT, then performing its own correction, then re-enabling PTT). If it still sees a bad reflected power level (perhaps there is no KAT), then it will start the remediation process which may end in a fault. Note that the KPA500 watches reflected power, not SWR (unless SWR is _really_ high). This means that at full output it will object to SWR over about 2:1, while at lower power (say 300 watts), it will allow a higher SWR. Reflected power over about 50 or 60 watts is where it starts the remediation process.That process includes inserting attenuation at the front end (which should also lower the reflected power level) and ultimately in a fault if the attenuation doesn’t do its task or the reflected power is deemed way to high to handle. So the real answer is that unless you send CW extremely slowly, the KPA500 will perform the band switch and continue monitoring the signal during that first dit, but you probably will not see anything like a fault until many characters down the QSO. Enjoy the KPA500! 73, Jack, W6FB > On May 10, 2018, at 7:20 AM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > > John, > > The amp is bypassed if the KAT500 needs do do any tuning or switching, so I > suspect the amp will not fault. > > That is why you run the keying line first to the KAT500 and then from the > KAT500 to the KPA500, so the tuner can disable the amp. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 5/10/2018 9:31 AM, j...@kk9a.com wrote: >> I concur that the RF sense works very well, at least it does with an >> external antenna switch and reasonably good antenna SWR. I am not sure >> what happens if you also use the KAT500 as an antenna switch or your >> untuned SWR is very bad. Does the amp fault during this first dit? > __ > 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 jackbrin...@me.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 installtion with ICOM 7300
John, The amp is bypassed if the KAT500 needs do do any tuning or switching, so I suspect the amp will not fault. That is why you run the keying line first to the KAT500 and then from the KAT500 to the KPA500, so the tuner can disable the amp. 73, Don W3FPR On 5/10/2018 9:31 AM, j...@kk9a.com wrote: I concur that the RF sense works very well, at least it does with an external antenna switch and reasonably good antenna SWR. I am not sure what happens if you also use the KAT500 as an antenna switch or your untuned SWR is very bad. Does the amp fault during this first dit? __ 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 installtion with ICOM 7300
I concur that the RF sense works very well, at least it does with an external antenna switch and reasonably good antenna SWR. I am not sure what happens if you also use the KAT500 as an antenna switch or your untuned SWR is very bad. Does the amp fault during this first dit? John KK9A Jim Brown K9YC wrote: FWIW, I've never used band data with my KPA500, only the AMP KEY cable. The KPA500 (and KAT500) are VERY good (and fast) at detecting RF and changing bands. All it takes is a dit or a tap on the mic. 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 installtion with ICOM 7300
On 2018-05-09 6:48 PM, Jim Brown wrote: > It's certainly OK to HOOK UP the ALC cable, but it's VERY BAD PRACTICE to DEPEND on ALC to set power out. Doing so is a recipe for terrible clicks and splatter. ALWAYS set power using the output power knob on the transceiver. The ONLY virtue of ALC is to protect the power amp from an operator screw-up, or from something going wrong in the antenna system. That's the point. The ALC cable protects the KPA-500 when the operator "spaces" and leaves the exciter power control at full power (100+ Watt) level. > It takes about 25-30W to drive a KPA500 to full power. Therein lies the case for a 4-6 dB attenuator inside the amplifier. The attenuator can be left in-line and the exciter can be operated at its normal (100 W) output level without concern for overdrive and/or damage. 73, ... Joe, W4TV __ 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 installtion with ICOM 7300
On 5/9/2018 11:31 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: As an alternative, you can allow the KPA-500 to band switch based on detected RF and use the "Basic Cabling" diagram on page 20. In that case you will want to use two RCA connections - one between the "SEND" jack on the IC-7300 and PA Key on the KPA-500, the other between ALC Out on the KPA-500 and ALC jack on the IC-7300. Regardless of which (basic or enhanced) cabling you use, be sure to connect ALC and set the KPA-500 ALC output level as documented on page 10 to prevent the Icom transceiver from over driving the KPA-500 if the Icom "Power" level is set too high. It's certainly OK to HOOK UP the ALC cable, but it's VERY BAD PRACTICE to DEPEND on ALC to set power out. Doing so is a recipe for terrible clicks and splatter. ALWAYS set power using the output power knob on the transceiver. The ONLY virtue of ALC is to protect the power amp from an operator screw-up, or from something going wrong in the antenna system. It takes about 25-30W to drive a KPA500 to full power. I'd start with the rig at 20W and increase the power slowly until you get the power you need. And, of course, much less for our permitted 200W on 30M. FWIW, I've never used band data with my KPA500, only the AMP KEY cable. The KPA500 (and KAT500) are VERY good (and fast) at detecting RF and changing bands. All it takes is a dit or a tap on the mic. 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 installtion with ICOM 7300
Maybe he means the IC7300 manual is of no help! Cheers, Fred KE7X For all KE7X Elecraft books see www.ke7x.com From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net on behalf of Joe Subich, W4TV Sent: Wednesday, May 9, 2018 12:31 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 installtion with ICOM 7300 > The owners manual is of no help. Have you actually read the KPA-500 Owner's Manual? Use the "K3 Enhanced cabling" diagram on page 22 but substitute a cable made according to the instructions in "Icom Cable Connections" (page 18) instead of the DB15HD/DB15HD cable used with the K3. As an alternative, you can allow the KPA-500 to band switch based on detected RF and use the "Basic Cabling" diagram on page 20. In that case you will want to use two RCA connections - one between the "SEND" jack on the IC-7300 and PA Key on the KPA-500, the other between ALC Out on the KPA-500 and ALC jack on the IC-7300. Regardless of which (basic or enhanced) cabling you use, be sure to connect ALC and set the KPA-500 ALC output level as documented on page 10 to prevent the Icom transceiver from over driving the KPA-500 if the Icom "Power" level is set too high. Everything you need is in the KPA-500 Owner's Manual if you simply study it. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2018-05-09 2:06 PM, Brian Phelan wrote: > > I need help in hooking up my ICOM 7300 to a KPA500 linear amp. > The owners manual is of no help. > > > Brian Phelan > bjphel...@verizon.net > > __ > 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 li...@subich.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 fc...@montana.edu __ 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 installtion with ICOM 7300
I used a KPA500 with a Yaesu transceiver and it worked very well just letting the amp's RF sensor switch bands. I did not use an ALC cable. John KK9A Joe Subich, W4TV wrote: > The owners manual is of no help. Have you actually read the KPA-500 Owner's Manual? . As an alternative, you can allow the KPA-500 to band switch based on detected RF and use the "Basic Cabling" diagram on page 20. In that case you will want to use two RCA connections - one between the "SEND" jack on the IC-7300 and PA Key on the KPA-500, the other between ALC Out on the KPA-500 and ALC jack on the IC-7300. Everything you need is in the KPA-500 Owner's Manual if you simply study it. 73, ... Joe, W4TV __ 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 installtion with ICOM 7300
> The owners manual is of no help. Have you actually read the KPA-500 Owner's Manual? Use the "K3 Enhanced cabling" diagram on page 22 but substitute a cable made according to the instructions in "Icom Cable Connections" (page 18) instead of the DB15HD/DB15HD cable used with the K3. As an alternative, you can allow the KPA-500 to band switch based on detected RF and use the "Basic Cabling" diagram on page 20. In that case you will want to use two RCA connections - one between the "SEND" jack on the IC-7300 and PA Key on the KPA-500, the other between ALC Out on the KPA-500 and ALC jack on the IC-7300. Regardless of which (basic or enhanced) cabling you use, be sure to connect ALC and set the KPA-500 ALC output level as documented on page 10 to prevent the Icom transceiver from over driving the KPA-500 if the Icom "Power" level is set too high. Everything you need is in the KPA-500 Owner's Manual if you simply study it. 73, ... Joe, W4TV On 2018-05-09 2:06 PM, Brian Phelan wrote: I need help in hooking up my ICOM 7300 to a KPA500 linear amp. The owners manual is of no help. Brian Phelan bjphel...@verizon.net __ 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 li...@subich.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 installtion with ICOM 7300
I need help in hooking up my ICOM 7300 to a KPA500 linear amp. The owners manual is of no help. Brian Phelan bjphel...@verizon.net __ 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
