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Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

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We5f

Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

>From Space Cadet To the Mother Ship (Elecraft):

I sure enjoy my K1, s/n #01453, and use it daily. However, there are times
when I'm chasing DX that I'd like to be able to switch in a 10 dB boost to my
output. Could we explore the feasibility of offering a kit amplifier for the
K1 (say a KPA-1)?

I'd suggest that most owners of the K1 would immediately purchase it (1500+
units?). It could also make the K1 more attractive to the part-time QRPers,
like me. The only disadvantage that immediately comes to mind is that the KAT-1
antenna tuner couldn't be used with it and would have to be removed.
However, perhaps the KPA-1 could be plugged in its place? Are we looking at 7-8 amps
current draw, instead of 1 amp?

If you're a subscriber to this list and would like to see a KPA-1 amplifier
kit, please join me in letting Elecraft know.

R/ Jim K5HO

---------------------
Nunquam Secundum
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Benny Aumala

Re: Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

Look for http://www.communication-concepts.com
AN762 kit for 140 or 180 W
EB10 kit for 600W

On Sat, 2 Apr 2005 12:44:31 EST, <[hidden email]> wrote:

>> From Space Cadet To the Mother Ship (Elecraft):
>
> I sure enjoy my K1, s/n #01453, and use it daily. However, there are
> times
> when I'm chasing DX that I'd like to be able to switch in a 10 dB boost
> to my
> output. Could we explore the feasibility of offering a kit amplifier
> for the
> K1 (say a KPA-1)?

--
Benny AUMALA OH9NB
[hidden email]

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david feldman-2

RE: Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

In reply to this post by We5f

Hello Jim,

The two solutions I've looked at so far are unappealing (going all the way
to the 100W level, or the hfpack-based project which includes a DC/DC
converter to run it's transistors at 28V, which has it's own efficiency
impact.)

I have been looking for a more modest power increase, perhaps to 25-50W,
optimized for CW (no need for idling collector current), and suitable for
operation at collector voltages down to ~9V (to be consistent with K1's
input voltage range, which is a big value to me.) The Ten-Tec 405 is
a little closer (2W in gives 50W out, and consumes 7-8 amps at full output,)
but I'm not sure how it does at lower collector voltages, it's linear,
it's bulky, and in any event, it's not produced. It would be great if
whatever
is developed could be mechanically part of the K1 (a new top cover, in space
that would be occupied by the internal battery pack, for example) and could
leverage the internal low-pass transmit filters (but for this the toroids
may have
a saturation limit, and I doubt the band modules were ever designed with
this sort of use case in mind.)

I also had a short e-mail exchange with Wayne that ended in my suggesting
a new 3-band module covering 80 and two other bands (perhaps 40/30 or
40/20); I think something like this would be really valuable as we are now
at a lower point of the solar cycle than when the K1 was first developed.

In any event, I hope the K1 is kept "alive" in terms of product development!

73 Dave WB0GAZ [hidden email]

>From: [hidden email]
>Subject: [Elecraft] Feasibility of KPA-1(?)
>To: [hidden email]
>Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>
> >From Space Cadet To the Mother Ship (Elecraft):
>
>I sure enjoy my K1, s/n #01453, and use it daily. However, there are times
>when I'm chasing DX that I'd like to be able to switch in a 10 dB boost to
>my
>output. Could we explore the feasibility of offering a kit amplifier for
>the
>K1 (say a KPA-1)?
>
>I'd suggest that most owners of the K1 would immediately purchase it (1500+
>units?). It could also make the K1 more attractive to the part-time
>QRPers,
>like me. The only disadvantage that immediately comes to mind is that the
>KAT-1
>antenna tuner couldn't be used with it and would have to be removed.
>However, perhaps the KPA-1 could be plugged in its place? Are we looking
>at 7-8 amps
>current draw, instead of 1 amp?
>
>If you're a subscriber to this list and would like to see a KPA-1 amplifier
>kit, please join me in letting Elecraft know.
>
>R/ Jim K5HO

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Benny Aumala

Re: Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

Having K2, also I would like to see K1 with 80-40-20
(and build it ASAP).
Many of my friends tell taking K1 everywhere with them in
spite of having K2 aswell.

Instead of power I would like to concentrate to simple but
efficient antennas. Changing from vertical to horizontal gives up to 6dB.
Having full dipole free means much more than a linear. A good antenna
gives double bonus: same improvement in reception.

Benny OH9NB

On Sun, 03 Apr 2005 07:50:21 -0600, david feldman <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> I also had a short e-mail exchange with Wayne that ended in my suggesting
> a new 3-band module covering 80 and two other bands (perhaps 40/30 or
> 40/20); I think something like this would be really valuable as we are
> now
> at a lower point of the solar cycle than when the K1 was first developed.

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Peter Zenker

RE: Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

In reply to this post by david feldman-2

> I also had a short e-mail exchange with Wayne that ended in
> my suggesting a new 3-band module covering 80 and two other
> bands (perhaps 40/30 or 40/20); I think something like this
> would be really valuable as we are now at a lower point of
> the solar cycle than when the K1 was first developed.
>

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Post to: [hidden email]
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david feldman-2

RE: Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

In reply to this post by We5f

I understood that there was some inter-band dependency, but I had not
considered that the 4 band module could be made to 3 bands this way. That
would be good news; the 80-40-30 combination is likely the most frequently
used configuration I would need. I looked at the 4-band module and many of
it's components are very small, but perhaps the PC board layout still could
be adapted by using the space freed from the adjacent unused band? Would the
unit need software changes so it would expect this behavior in the software?

73 Dave WB0GAZ [hidden email]

>From: "Peter Zenker" <[hidden email]>
>To: "'david feldman'" <[hidden email]>,<[hidden email]>
>Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Feasibility of KPA-1(?)
>Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2005 18:12:34 +0200
>
>Sorry, excuse
>I hit the wrong button.
>
>No my response to the mail
>
>Swiss Hams always need 80m due to their yearly traditional National
>Mountain
>Day
>
> > I also had a short e-mail exchange with Wayne that ended in
> > my suggesting a new 3-band module covering 80 and two other
> > bands (perhaps 40/30 or 40/20); I think something like this
> > would be really valuable as we are now at a lower point of
> > the solar cycle than when the K1 was first developed.
> >
>
>I could help some of them with an easy to do mod of the standard 4 Band
>modul. The problem is, you can only use 2 neighbour bands per section an
>not
>harmonic bands without changing of bandmodules. If you use the first
>section
>for 80 meter, you can use the second section for 40/30 Meter.
>
>73 de Peter
>
>
>_______________________________________________
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>
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>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>

Peter Zenker

RE: Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

David

You only need the 11,5 MHz Xtal Elecraft is using in the standard 2 band
version plus some caps.

Section 1 is equipped with all parts for 80m, LPF datas can be overtaken
from the K1 80m Module

Section 2 is built identical to former section 1 as 40/30m Module.

Peter

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of david feldman
> Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 6:38 PM
> To: [hidden email]; [hidden email]
> Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Feasibility of KPA-1(?)
>
> I understood that there was some inter-band dependency, but I
> had not considered that the 4 band module could be made to 3
> bands this way. That would be good news; the 80-40-30
> combination is likely the most frequently used configuration
> I would need. I looked at the 4-band module and many of it's
> components are very small, but perhaps the PC board layout
> still could be adapted by using the space freed from the
> adjacent unused band? Would the unit need software changes so
> it would expect this behavior in the software?
>
> 73 Dave WB0GAZ [hidden email]
>
> >From: "Peter Zenker" <[hidden email]>
> >To: "'david feldman'" <[hidden email]>,<[hidden email]>
> >Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Feasibility of KPA-1(?)
> >Date: Sun, 3 Apr 2005 18:12:34 +0200
> >
> >Sorry, excuse
> >I hit the wrong button.
> >
> >No my response to the mail
> >
> >Swiss Hams always need 80m due to their yearly traditional National
> >Mountain Day
> >
> > > I also had a short e-mail exchange with Wayne that ended in my
> > > suggesting a new 3-band module covering 80 and two other bands
> > > (perhaps 40/30 or 40/20); I think something like this would be
> > > really valuable as we are now at a lower point of the solar cycle
> > > than when the K1 was first developed.
> > >
> >
> >I could help some of them with an easy to do mod of the
> standard 4 Band
> >modul. The problem is, you can only use 2 neighbour bands
> per section
> >an not harmonic bands without changing of bandmodules. If
> you use the
> >first section for 80 meter, you can use the second section for 40/30
> >Meter.
> >
> >73 de Peter
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >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
> >
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>

Leigh L. Klotz Jr WA5ZNU

Re: Feasibility of KPA-1(?)

Administrator

In reply to this post by david feldman-2

You can run the HFPacker amp at 12v instead of 24v and get less current
draw and less power out. Plus it would be smaller. Also you don't need
to build the output filter on the K5OOR board since your K1 doesn't
cover 160-10...you could build a switchable filter for just the 2 or 4
bands you use and make it into a small 2-board solution.
Leigh / WA5ZNU

On Sun, 3 Apr 2005 6:51 am, david feldman wrote:

> Hello Jim,
>
> The two solutions I've looked at so far are unappealing (going all the
> way
> to the 100W level, or the hfpack-based project which includes a DC/DC
> converter to run it's transistors at 28V, which has it's own efficiency
> impact.)
>
> I have been looking for a more modest power increase, perhaps to
> 25-50W,
> optimized for CW (no need for idling collector current), and suitable
> for
> operation at collector voltages down to ~9V (to be consistent with K1's
> input voltage range, which is a big value to me.) The Ten-Tec 405 is
> a little closer (2W in gives 50W out, and consumes 7-8 amps at full
> output,)
> but I'm not sure how it does at lower collector voltages, it's linear,
> it's bulky, and in any event, it's not produced. It would be great if
> whatever
> is developed could be mechanically part of the K1 (a new top cover, in
> space
> that would be occupied by the internal battery pack, for example) and
> could
> leverage the internal low-pass transmit filters (but for this the
> toroids may have
> a saturation limit, and I doubt the band modules were ever designed
> with
> this sort of use case in mind.)
>
> I also had a short e-mail exchange with Wayne that ended in my
> suggesting
> a new 3-band module covering 80 and two other bands (perhaps 40/30 or
> 40/20); I think something like this would be really valuable as we are
> now
> at a lower point of the solar cycle than when the K1 was first
> developed.
>
> In any event, I hope the K1 is kept "alive" in terms of product
> development!
>
> 73 Dave WB0GAZ [hidden email]
>
>> From: [hidden email]
>> Subject: [Elecraft] Feasibility of KPA-1(?)
>> To: [hidden email]
>> Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
>>
>>> From Space Cadet To the Mother Ship (Elecraft):
>>
>> I sure enjoy my K1, s/n #01453, and use it daily. However, there are
>> times
>> when I'm chasing DX that I'd like to be able to switch in a 10 dB
>> boost to my
>> output. Could we explore the feasibility of offering a kit amplifier
>> for the
>> K1 (say a KPA-1)?
>>
>> I'd suggest that most owners of the K1 would immediately purchase it
>> (1500+
>> units?). It could also make the K1 more attractive to the part-time
>> QRPers,
>> like me. The only disadvantage that immediately comes to mind is that
>> the KAT-1
>> antenna tuner couldn't be used with it and would have to be removed.
>> However, perhaps the KPA-1 could be plugged in its place? Are we
>> looking at 7-8 amps
>> current draw, instead of 1 amp?
>>
>> If you're a subscriber to this list and would like to see a KPA-1
>> amplifier
>> kit, please join me in letting Elecraft know.
>>
>> R/ Jim K5HO
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Post to: [hidden email]
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com