Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
Why use another heat sink ? On Sunday, March 29, 2020, 11:16:31 AM EDT, Tim McDonough N9PUZ wrote: I'm curious, have people been seeing these high tempts indoors or outdoors? I notice a significant temperature difference with my KX2 when operating outdoors by just keeping it in the shade. I do have a third party heatsink. Tim N9PUZ __ 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 k1...@yahoo.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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
I'm curious, have people been seeing these high tempts indoors or outdoors? I notice a significant temperature difference with my KX2 when operating outdoors by just keeping it in the shade. I do have a third party heatsink. Tim N9PUZ __ 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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
Hi,I have a KX3 in the 600 s/n range. There was a enlarged heatsink kit for radio's under 7500 s/n which doubled the time for the PA's to cut back. It's still listed on Elecraft's web site. Easy to install, no soldering. 73Jim HK7sss In a message dated 3/27/2020 8:39:00 AM Pacific Standard Time, st...@kj5t.net writes: It does sound like the KX2/KX3 are pretty tough little radios. I had heard of some heatsink issues in earlier KX3s, not sure if that is true or not. It sounds like 61C is fine. For the record the time that it got that hot running 10 watts was SSB and I was doing a continual (recorded) CQ. I only run digital modes at 5 watts or less. Again I appreciate all the feedback, I have KX2 number 617, bought it in June 2016 but it sadly it gets neglected at times, doing a bit more FT8/FT4 though now, especially since i am stuck at my apartment. 73 de KJ5T __ 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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
It does sound like the KX2/KX3 are pretty tough little radios. I had heard of some heatsink issues in earlier KX3s, not sure if that is true or not. It sounds like 61C is fine. For the record the time that it got that hot running 10 watts was SSB and I was doing a continual (recorded) CQ. I only run digital modes at 5 watts or less. Again I appreciate all the feedback, I have KX2 number 617, bought it in June 2016 but it sadly it gets neglected at times, doing a bit more FT8/FT4 though now, especially since i am stuck at my apartment. 73 de KJ5T On Fri, Mar 27, 2020 at 1:05 AM Mooneer Salem wrote: > FWIW, my KX3 handles 15 watts digital with no issues as far as I can tell. > I did the temperature compensation and have a third party heatsink, though. > I haven't looked too much at third party heatsinks for the KX2 but I > imagine I'd probably want to follow that 50% advice even with one installed > simply due to its physical size. > > -Mooneer K6AQ > > On Thu, Mar 26, 2020, 10:47 PM Joan via Elecraft > > wrote: > > > The KX2 will automatically fold back its power (responding to > temperature) > > to prevent thermal runaway or damage to its finals > > > > That being said, it is routinely recommended that when running any 100% > > duty cycle mode (e.g. typical digital text modes or FM Phone) one reduces > > RF output to 50% of rated output > > > > 73 de KX2CW > > Joan > > > > Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra, said Piglet. > > Shaka, when the walls fell, said Pooh. > > > > > On Mar 26, 2020, at 18:09, Steve Anness wrote: > > > > > > This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in > > regards > > > to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed > the > > > question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the > > > fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month > > after > > > I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten > up > > > to 61C which is what prompted the question. > > > > > > I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting > > up > > > to 51C. > > > > > > At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my > > KX2 > > > and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields > by > > > many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. > > > > > > 73 de KJ5T > > > > > __ > > 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 moon...@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 st...@kj5t.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
Re: [Elecraft] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
FWIW, my KX3 handles 15 watts digital with no issues as far as I can tell. I did the temperature compensation and have a third party heatsink, though. I haven't looked too much at third party heatsinks for the KX2 but I imagine I'd probably want to follow that 50% advice even with one installed simply due to its physical size. -Mooneer K6AQ On Thu, Mar 26, 2020, 10:47 PM Joan via Elecraft wrote: > The KX2 will automatically fold back its power (responding to temperature) > to prevent thermal runaway or damage to its finals > > That being said, it is routinely recommended that when running any 100% > duty cycle mode (e.g. typical digital text modes or FM Phone) one reduces > RF output to 50% of rated output > > 73 de KX2CW > Joan > > Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra, said Piglet. > Shaka, when the walls fell, said Pooh. > > > On Mar 26, 2020, at 18:09, Steve Anness wrote: > > > > This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in > regards > > to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed the > > question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the > > fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month > after > > I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten up > > to 61C which is what prompted the question. > > > > I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting > up > > to 51C. > > > > At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my > KX2 > > and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields by > > many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. > > > > 73 de KJ5T > > > __ > 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 moon...@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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
KX2 manual, page 27: "5.0 watts or lower is recommended in all data modes. The KX2 will reduce power, if necessary, to maintain a safe operating temperature." wunder K6WRU Walter Underwood CM87wj http://observer.wunderwood.org/ (my blog) > On Mar 26, 2020, at 10:45 PM, Joan via Elecraft > wrote: > > The KX2 will automatically fold back its power (responding to temperature) to > prevent thermal runaway or damage to its finals > > That being said, it is routinely recommended that when running any 100% duty > cycle mode (e.g. typical digital text modes or FM Phone) one reduces RF > output to 50% of rated output > > 73 de KX2CW > Joan > > Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra, said Piglet. > Shaka, when the walls fell, said Pooh. > >> On Mar 26, 2020, at 18:09, Steve Anness wrote: >> >> This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in regards >> to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed the >> question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the >> fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month after >> I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten up >> to 61C which is what prompted the question. >> >> I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting up >> to 51C. >> >> At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my KX2 >> and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields by >> many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. >> >> 73 de KJ5T >> > __ > 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 wun...@wunderwood.org __ 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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
The other thing to watch is the frequency stability. When I used to run digital modes on the KX3, the radio would drift a bit as it heated up. I got one of the XG50 reference oscillators, and went through a temperature compensation profiling procedure, and after that it worked very well. I guess you already know with Elecraft radios that setting the levels works differently to many other commercial radios -- often you'll see procedures where you use the audio input drive to control the transmitted power and saying to avoid ALC, but those procedures and not appropriate for Elecraft -- there you need to set the input level (on KX3 think it was something like 4 bars on the "ALC" meter) then control the output power using the power output knob. Someone else on this list probably has more current information than I which pertains to the KX2. 73, Matt VK2RQ On Fri, 27 Mar 2020 at 13:54, Steve Anness wrote: > > Thank you for the feedback. I have never seen the radio get that warm > during my operating. Someone did point out about the third party heatsinks > available so I may eventually purchase one. I primarily am doing very high > duty cycle modes such as RTTY and the JT modes with my KX2 so I want to > make sure that I am taking good care of it. > > 73 de KJ5T > > On Thu, Mar 26, 2020 at 9:24 PM Nr4c wrote: > > > I believe the radio might shut down somewhere above 80 C. > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > ...nr4c. bill > > > > > > > On Mar 26, 2020, at 9:11 PM, Steve Anness wrote: > > > > > > This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in > > regards > > > to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed the > > > question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the > > > fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month > > after > > > I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten up > > > to 61C which is what prompted the question. > > > > > > I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting > > up > > > to 51C. > > > > > > At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my > > KX2 > > > and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields by > > > many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. > > > > > > 73 de KJ5T > > > __ > > > 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 n...@widomaker.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 matt.vk...@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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
The KX2 will automatically fold back its power (responding to temperature) to prevent thermal runaway or damage to its finals That being said, it is routinely recommended that when running any 100% duty cycle mode (e.g. typical digital text modes or FM Phone) one reduces RF output to 50% of rated output 73 de KX2CW Joan Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra, said Piglet. Shaka, when the walls fell, said Pooh. > On Mar 26, 2020, at 18:09, Steve Anness wrote: > > This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in regards > to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed the > question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the > fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month after > I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten up > to 61C which is what prompted the question. > > I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting up > to 51C. > > At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my KX2 > and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields by > many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. > > 73 de KJ5T > __ 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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
Thank you for the feedback. I have never seen the radio get that warm during my operating. Someone did point out about the third party heatsinks available so I may eventually purchase one. I primarily am doing very high duty cycle modes such as RTTY and the JT modes with my KX2 so I want to make sure that I am taking good care of it. 73 de KJ5T On Thu, Mar 26, 2020 at 9:24 PM Nr4c wrote: > I believe the radio might shut down somewhere above 80 C. > > Sent from my iPhone > ...nr4c. bill > > > > On Mar 26, 2020, at 9:11 PM, Steve Anness wrote: > > > > This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in > regards > > to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed the > > question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the > > fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month > after > > I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten up > > to 61C which is what prompted the question. > > > > I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting > up > > to 51C. > > > > At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my > KX2 > > and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields by > > many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. > > > > 73 de KJ5T > > __ > > 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 n...@widomaker.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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
I believe the radio might shut down somewhere above 80 C. Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Mar 26, 2020, at 9:11 PM, Steve Anness wrote: > > This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in regards > to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed the > question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the > fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month after > I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten up > to 61C which is what prompted the question. > > I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting up > to 51C. > > At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my KX2 > and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields by > many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. > > 73 de KJ5T > __ > 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 n...@widomaker.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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
I do not have KX2 but KX3. KX3 internally set a PA temperature limit at which KX3 automatically reduces power output. Assuming that KX2 and KX3 are very similar, unless your KX2 automatically reduces power output, the PA temperature is within the safe range. I think running FT8 with 5W output is safe since I have made many FT8 QSOs with 5W. You may attach any 3rd party heatsink if you want to feel safe. 73 de JH3SIF, Keith > 2020/03/27 10:09、Steve Anness のメール: > > This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in regards > to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed the > question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the > fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month after > I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten up > to 61C which is what prompted the question. > > I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting up > to 51C. > > At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my KX2 > and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields by > many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. > > 73 de KJ5T > __ > 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 jh3...@sumaq.jp __ 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] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature
This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in regards to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response. I had posed the question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the fray. When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month after I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten up to 61C which is what prompted the question. I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting up to 51C. At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down? I love my KX2 and don't want to damage it. I do know that these are used in fields by many so perhaps I am just being paranoid. 73 de KJ5T __ 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
