Re: [Elecraft] running an external amp?
Hi If you build the KPA100 into an EC2 box externally and your K2 has a KAT2 the firmware will place the KAT2 into bypass mode and select Ant 1. This is the same as using a amp made by some other supplier except the K2 will not be able to detect the amp. The KAT2 bypass mode and Ant 1 can be selected manually in this case. Another option would be to disconnect the RF cable to the KAT2 and just use the BNC output on the back of the K2. Don Brown KD5NDB - Original Message - From: Vic K2VCO [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 10:17 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] running an external amp? K6MR wrote: Not sure if you mean the KAT-2 or the KAT-100, but I drive both my amps with the KAT-100s in line from both radios. I don't know how the tuner would know the difference between an antenna or an amplifier input network. I just let the tuner cycle (it's real quick) using the tune button the first time I activate the amp. Then use the keyer to tune with dits. The KAT2 and KAT100 are pretty similar. The difference between an antenna and an amplifier input network is that the impedance seen when driving an amplifier changes as the amplifier is driven harder! So you can get a sort of unstable condition in which the tuner tries to match a varying impedance. This is probably not harmful since you are tuning at reduced power, but it's not clear that the tuner will find an appropriate match. That's why I recommend tuning the K2 into a 50-ohm dummy load first, and then using it to drive the amp. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] running an external amp?
Bill Allen wrote: If I decide to drive an external amp with my K2, do I need to disable the ATU? It's not a good idea to try to operate the tuner when driving an amp, although sometimes it's useful if you are careful. Probably the best thing to do is to tune the K2 into a dummy load and activate the tuner. This will set the tuner up for a 50-ohm load. Then connect the amp and do not activate the tuner. Most amps should provide an SWR of 1.5:1 or less. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] running an external amp?
Not sure if you mean the KAT-2 or the KAT-100, but I drive both my amps with the KAT-100s in line from both radios. I don't know how the tuner would know the difference between an antenna or an amplifier input network. I just let the tuner cycle (it's real quick) using the tune button the first time I activate the amp. Then use the keyer to tune with dits. Ken K6MR Vic K2VCO wrote: Bill Allen wrote: If I decide to drive an external amp with my K2, do I need to disable the ATU? It's not a good idea to try to operate the tuner when driving an amp, although sometimes it's useful if you are careful. Probably the best thing to do is to tune the K2 into a dummy load and activate the tuner. This will set the tuner up for a 50-ohm load. Then connect the amp and do not activate the tuner. Most amps should provide an SWR of 1.5:1 or less. ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
Re: [Elecraft] running an external amp?
K6MR wrote: Not sure if you mean the KAT-2 or the KAT-100, but I drive both my amps with the KAT-100s in line from both radios. I don't know how the tuner would know the difference between an antenna or an amplifier input network. I just let the tuner cycle (it's real quick) using the tune button the first time I activate the amp. Then use the keyer to tune with dits. The KAT2 and KAT100 are pretty similar. The difference between an antenna and an amplifier input network is that the impedance seen when driving an amplifier changes as the amplifier is driven harder! So you can get a sort of unstable condition in which the tuner tries to match a varying impedance. This is probably not harmful since you are tuning at reduced power, but it's not clear that the tuner will find an appropriate match. That's why I recommend tuning the K2 into a 50-ohm dummy load first, and then using it to drive the amp. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
RE: [Elecraft] running an external amp?
Thanks for the advice guys. I am shutting down the K2 for the night and headed to bed! :-) 73, Bill - WA5PB K2 #1068 -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Vic K2VCO Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2005 10:18 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] running an external amp? K6MR wrote: Not sure if you mean the KAT-2 or the KAT-100, but I drive both my amps with the KAT-100s in line from both radios. I don't know how the tuner would know the difference between an antenna or an amplifier input network. I just let the tuner cycle (it's real quick) using the tune button the first time I activate the amp. Then use the keyer to tune with dits. The KAT2 and KAT100 are pretty similar. The difference between an antenna and an amplifier input network is that the impedance seen when driving an amplifier changes as the amplifier is driven harder! So you can get a sort of unstable condition in which the tuner tries to match a varying impedance. This is probably not harmful since you are tuning at reduced power, but it's not clear that the tuner will find an appropriate match. That's why I recommend tuning the K2 into a 50-ohm dummy load first, and then using it to drive the amp. -- 73, Vic, K2VCO Fresno CA http://www.qsl.net/k2vco ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.7/155 - Release Date: 11/1/2005 -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.362 / Virus Database: 267.12.7/155 - Release Date: 11/1/2005 ___ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
