Elecraft

Acom Amps

Classic

List

Threaded

8 messages Options

Mike Harris-9

Acom Amps

G'day,

Anyone out there driving an Acom 1000 or 1010 with a K2/100. Particularly
interested in QSK performance, relay noise etc. I run CW at training
wheel speeds!

I know the KPA800 will no doubt be excellent in that respect but it will
likely have a hefty price premium. And, for the life of me, I can't
understand why having launched it publicly on at least two occasions we
can't get to eyeball a picture of the thing and a bit more than the bullet
point detail in anticipation of FCC approval. I bet I'm not the only one
interested.

Also, I understand that the KPA1500 will have some 6M capability but not
the KPA800, why not? I guess that's the same with the Acom's above.

This is a bit like breeding elephants, a big noise high up then nothing
happens for nearly two years.

Regards,

Mike VP8NO
K2/100 #1400 with mods and modules

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

David Honey

Re: Acom Amps

At 01:10 11/05/2006, Mike Harris wrote:
>G'day,
>
>Anyone out there driving an Acom 1000 or 1010 with a K2/100. Particularly
>interested in QSK performance, relay noise etc. I run CW at training
>wheel speeds!

Hi Mike,

I regularly use my K2/100 with an Acom 1000 for SSB and CW.
The Acom 1000 uses a vacuum relay for switching. I found that using the
standard T/R delay of 5ms led to some complaints of key clicks. So I use a
longer setting for semi break in (25-40ms) and that works well and I've not
had any complaints since. Typical sending speed here is around 22wpm.

73, David M0DHO

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

Vic K2VCO

Re: Acom Amps

David Honey wrote:

> I regularly use my K2/100 with an Acom 1000 for SSB and CW.
> The Acom 1000 uses a vacuum relay for switching. I found that using the
> standard T/R delay of 5ms led to some complaints of key clicks. So I use
> a longer setting for semi break in (25-40ms) and that works well and
> I've not had any complaints since.

Are you talking about a setting on the Acom? Or the K2? Do you know if
the clicks were heard on make or break? I've keyed vaccuum relay t/r
systems directly with the K2/100 with no problems. The 15 ms. or so
'headroom' (time between the activation of the amp key output and the
appearance of RF) provided by the K2 has been adequate to allow the
relay to close without hot switching.
--
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

David Honey

Re: Acom Amps

At 15:56 11/05/2006, Vic K2VCO wrote:

>David Honey wrote:
>
>>I regularly use my K2/100 with an Acom 1000 for SSB and CW.
>>The Acom 1000 uses a vacuum relay for switching. I found that using the
>>standard T/R delay of 5ms led to some complaints of key clicks. So I use
>>a longer setting for semi break in (25-40ms) and that works well and I've
>>not had any complaints since.
>
>Are you talking about a setting on the Acom? Or the K2? Do you know if
>the clicks were heard on make or break? I've keyed vaccuum relay t/r
>systems directly with the K2/100 with no problems. The 15 ms. or so
>'headroom' (time between the activation of the amp key output and the
>appearance of RF) provided by the K2 has been adequate to allow the relay
>to close without hot switching.

I meant the QSK setting on the K2 (aka the T/R menu item). The Acom 1000
has no such setting - it has no software control at all.

I don't think there is an easy well to tell how the clicks were being
generated. All I can tell you is that with T/R=0.05, I had several
comments/complaints I was causing QRM. Since changing T/R to 0.3 or 0.4,
not one single complaint or comment about such key clicks. Perhaps T/R can
be lower. I just didn't want to incur the wrath of others on the band. It
might also save on wear-and-tear on the relay.

73, David M0DHO

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

N2TK

RE: Acom Amps

I am driving the 2000A with a K2/100. Not sure if there is any difference
between the amps for keying? T/R is set at .02. Used to have it at .00 but
too much popping. Have not received any key click complaints at either
setting.
As with any of my rigs or amps I have used a power mosfet to key the amp.
N2TK, Tony
#3481

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of David Honey
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 11:11 AM
To: Vic K2VCO
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Acom Amps

At 15:56 11/05/2006, Vic K2VCO wrote:

Brendan Minish

Re: Acom Amps

In reply to this post by Mike Harris-9

On Wed, 2006-05-10 at 20:10 -0400, Mike Harris wrote:
> G'day,
>
> Anyone out there driving an Acom 1000 or 1010 with a K2/100. Particularly
> interested in QSK performance, relay noise etc. I run CW at training
> wheel speeds!

I Use the Acom1k and have been really happy with it. the K2 is my
primary rig for HF. I also use an Icom pro2 for 6m and HF digital
modes.

The Acom has no problems with QSK on either rig, although there is one
caveat for some icom rigs.
the 756pro series (& probably others) have 2 PTT outputs, one is via a
relay and as a few msec slower than the solid state out. I had issues
with the relay driven out on my pro so I use the solid state out.
this is an icom issue not an Acom issue

It's a quiet amp and the fan is quiet too. It will take high duty cycle
modes in it's stride, I have done lots of pactor2&3 on mine as well as
some 6m EME using WSJT

it's a synch to tune, well protected in every regard from operator
stupidity.
It loads just fine into imperfectly matched antennas, the cut off here
is 500W of reflected power

Over the years I have had 2 issues with my Acom 1k
when new (this is an early serial # bought in 2001 )
I was the unlucky user who discovered a stray resonance near 12m in the
Plate choke.
After first ascertaining that I was capable to carry out a repair
without killing myself Acom had replacement parts to me in 3 Days and
also changed the design of the amp slightly in future serial # as well
as telling me how to incorporate this design change whilst carrying out
the repair.

last year (several years out of guarantee cover) I had a suspected CPU
board partial failure. Acom were once again very helpful by e-mail in
diagnosing the problem and swapped my dead CPU board (They wanted to see
why it died) for a new one at no charge.
All in all fantastic After sales service from Acom.

I bought mine though Ron Stone (Vine antennas) Tell him I said Hi when
you are ordering ;-)

Why all the pactor ?
See
http://www.northabout.com/index.htm (North west passage)
http://www.northabout.com/ (North east Passage / northern Sea route )
The first boat of any size to make a westward polar Circumnavigation. HF
radio and pactor was the primary means of communications with almost all
traffic going direct to/from Ireland to the boat.

73
Brendan EI6IZ

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

Dave, G4AON

RE: Acom Amps

In reply to this post by Mike Harris-9

Hi Guys

I don't have an Acom amplifier, but a friend with one sent the following:
-----------------------------------
With the FT1000MP + ACOM, if you want to use fast changeover / QSK, it
is recommended that you use the returned ACOM 'ready' output to
'release' the MPs RF.

ie, the MP has a TX enable line which can be triggered by the ACOM.
This avoids any hot-switching.

I suspect the K2 in QSK mode will changeover much faster than the 2-3 mS
of the vacuum relay in the ACOM.
-------------------------------------------
73 Dave, G4AON
K2 #1892
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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

Brendan Minish

RE: Acom Amps

I have never had a hot switching issue with the K2, the timing is more
than adequate even with TR set to 0
I have even tweaked my K2 for faster QSK
Perhaps Wayne could comment on the timings but I have never seen an
issue here nor have I a problem with Keyclicks with either radio in QSK
mode with the Acom 1k. I have checked for clicks as they are most
annoying
BTW the 1000MP is not good in the click department if unmodified.

The acom 1k's CPU controller will actually take the amp off line if it
detects hot switching

73
Brendan EI6IZ

On Thu, 2006-05-11 at 18:07 +0100, Dave wrote:

> Hi Guys
>
> I don't have an Acom amplifier, but a friend with one sent the following:
> -----------------------------------
> With the FT1000MP + ACOM, if you want to use fast changeover / QSK, it
> is recommended that you use the returned ACOM 'ready' output to
> 'release' the MPs RF.
>
> ie, the MP has a TX enable line which can be triggered by the ACOM.
> This avoids any hot-switching.
>
> I suspect the K2 in QSK mode will changeover much faster than the 2-3 mS
> of the vacuum relay in the ACOM.
> -------------------------------------------
> 73 Dave, G4AON
> K2 #1892
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> 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

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
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