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K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier

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NJMike

K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier

I built K2 #4619 some years ago. Now I am considering adding the KPA 100
amplifier. When I bought and built the K2, I also built and installed the
following option3:

KAT2 automatic antenna tuner
KSB2 SSB adapter
KDSP2 DSP filter and internal clock
KIO2 AUX I/O module
KNB2 noise blanker
K160RX 160 meter module
MH2 microphone

On the technical side, I need to know if the amp can be installed after
installing all these options.

On the purchasing side, I guess my options are purchasing from Elecraft for
$650 (which I am sure is worth the price), or buying one from someone who
bought one but never built it. I am retired now so I'm trying to spend as
little as I can.

Please let me know if you have one that you'll sell, and if you know the
answer to the first question.

Thanks!
Mike NJ2OM

--
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Dave Van Wallaghen-2

Re: K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier

Mike,

The amp will fit just fine with your current configuration. Although, the
KAT2 and KIO2 boards will stay with the original top cover. The KPA100
includes the KIO2 circuitry. If you need an ATU for use with the KPA100,
then you will want a KAT100 ATU or other brand that can handle 100+ watts.

Hope this answers your question.

73,
Dave, W8FGU
On April 27, 2020 14:18:04 NJMike <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I built K2 #4619 some years ago. Now I am considering adding the KPA 100
> amplifier. When I bought and built the K2, I also built and installed the
> following option3:
>
> KAT2 automatic antenna tuner
> KSB2 SSB adapter
> KDSP2 DSP filter and internal clock
> KIO2 AUX I/O module
> KNB2 noise blanker
> K160RX 160 meter module
> MH2 microphone
>
> On the technical side, I need to know if the amp can be installed after
> installing all these options.
>
> On the purchasing side, I guess my options are purchasing from Elecraft for
> $650 (which I am sure is worth the price), or buying one from someone who
> bought one but never built it. I am retired now so I'm trying to spend as
> little as I can.
>
> Please let me know if you have one that you'll sell, and if you know the
> answer to the first question.
>
> Thanks!
> Mike NJ2OM
>
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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NJMike

Re: K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier

In reply to this post by NJMike

Dave Van Wallaghen-2

Re: K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier

Mike,

The KAT2 is the QRP version of an ATU used with the base K2. It can handle
up to 20 watts. If you need an ATU to work with your KPA100, then you
would need the higher KAT100 that will handle 150 watts.

The KAT2 and KIO2 mount in the top cover of the base K2. The KPA100
replaces that whole cover. So neither board could be used with the KPA100
installed (as well as the KBT2 battery option).

Many ops who upgrade their K2'S with the KPA100, simply keep the top cove
around with those options installed and in the event they want to operate
QRP, they simply swap the top cover with the KPA100. This is the wonderful
nature of the modular design of the
K2.

Again, I hope this helps and is not clear as mud.

73,
Dave, W8FGU

On April 27, 2020 14:44:02 Mike Kopacki <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Thanks, Dave.
>
> You’re saying that the KAT2 that I have now has to be replaced? I wonder
> if that’s included in the KPA 100 kit?
>
> 73,
> Mike NJ2OM
>
> Sent from Mail for Windows 10
>
> From: Dave Van Wallaghen
> Sent: Monday, April 27, 2020 2:24 PM
> To: NJMike; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier
>
> Mike,
>
> The amp will fit just fine with your current configuration. Although, the
> KAT2 and KIO2 boards will stay with the original top cover. The KPA100
> includes the KIO2 circuitry. If you need an ATU for use with the KPA100,
> then you will want a KAT100 ATU or other brand that can handle 100+ watts.
>
> Hope this answers your question.
>
> 73,
> Dave, W8FGU
>
> On April 27, 2020 14:18:04 NJMike <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I built K2 #4619 some years ago. Now I am considering adding the KPA 100
> amplifier. When I bought and built the K2, I also built and installed the
> following option3:
>
> KAT2 automatic antenna tuner
> KSB2 SSB adapter
> KDSP2 DSP filter and internal clock
> KIO2 AUX I/O module
> KNB2 noise blanker
> K160RX 160 meter module
> MH2 microphone
>
> On the technical side, I need to know if the amp can be installed after
> installing all these options.
>
> On the purchasing side, I guess my options are purchasing from Elecraft for
> $650 (which I am sure is worth the price), or buying one from someone who
> bought one but never built it. I am retired now so I'm trying to spend as
> little as I can.
>
> Please let me know if you have one that you'll sell, and if you know the
> answer to the first question.
>
> Thanks!
> Mike NJ2OM
>
>
>
>
> --
> Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]

NJMike

Re: K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier

In reply to this post by NJMike

Dave,
I’ve looked at the KPA100 manual and I saw that it has it’s own I/O input and circuitry. But I didn’t see anything saying that the installed KAT2 would not be used. There is reference to testing the KPA100 at levels as low as 5 watts. So that tells me that the rig can still be used at QRP levels with the KPA100 installed.

Is that correct?

Thanks,
Mike NJ2OM

> On Apr 27, 2020, at 3:21 PM, Dave Van Wallaghen <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
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Dave Van Wallaghen-2

Re: K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier

Mike,

No, the KPA100 actually physically replaces the top cover where the KAT2
is mounted. The KAT2 is not designed to work with anything but the basic
10 watt K2 version. Yes, the K2 with KPA100 can produce anywhere from 0
- 100+ watts. The KPA100 amplifier stage is actually bypassed for the
0-11 watt power range, but no way to use the KAT2 in that configuration.
Only the KAT100 ATU or similar brand that can handle 100+ watts can be
used as an ATU after the KPA100.

73,
Dave, W8FGU

On 4/27/2020 4:11:48 PM, "Mike Kopacki" <[hidden email]> wrote:

>Dave,
>I’ve looked at the KPA100 manual and I saw that it has it’s own I/O input and circuitry. But I didn’t see anything saying that the installed KAT2 would not be used. There is reference to testing the KPA100 at levels as low as 5 watts. So that tells me that the rig can still be used at QRP levels with the KPA100 installed.
>
>Is that correct?
>
>Thanks,
>Mike NJ2OM
>
>> On Apr 27, 2020, at 3:21 PM, Dave Van Wallaghen <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>

Don Wilhelm

Re: K2 Looking for a KPA 100 amplifier

In reply to this post by NJMike

Mike,

To amplify what Dave has said, let me make 2 points.
1) The KPA100 fits on top of the K2 in place of the QRP top cover.
Anything mounted in the QRP top cover is physically replaced by the
KPA100. In your case it will be the KAT2 and KIO2. The KPA100 fits
physically on the top of the K2 in the same place as the QRP top cover.
They cannot both occupy the same physical space.

2) If you need a tuner for your antennas, then it will need to be rated
for the full power output of the 100 watt (KPA100 equipped) transceiver.
The KAT100 will do that job nicely, and integrates well with the K2.

If you ever plan to operate portable, then you can remove the KPA100 (6
screws) and put the QRP top cover on in its place. That will give you a
more lightweight portable package. If you are hiking, the less weight,
the better.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 4/27/2020 4:11 PM, Mike Kopacki wrote:

> Dave,
> I’ve looked at the KPA100 manual and I saw that it has it’s own I/O input and circuitry. But I didn’t see anything saying that the installed KAT2 would not be used. There is reference to testing the KPA100 at levels as low as 5 watts. So that tells me that the rig can still be used at QRP levels with the KPA100 installed.
>
> Is that correct?
>
> Thanks,
> Mike NJ2OM
>
>> On Apr 27, 2020, at 3:21 PM, Dave Van Wallaghen <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>