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I know from the forum that a K2 will show a power increase over a given setting if left in tune for an extended time as a consequence of the final transistors heating up. That makes sense from what I’m seeing here. The effect is greater at higher power settings although not proportionally higher as my set level increases. I’m just wondering if the amount of shift I’m seeing is normal.
Here’s what I’m seeing: With my K2 operating into a zero SWR 80 watt (nominal) dummy, the observed increase both on the K2 display as well as on my computer monitored W2 wattmeter tends to be 1.5 watts or less over a ten second period. The initial increase happens quite quickly and then slows. It is difficult to confirm, as I don’t want to leave the rig in tune for an extended period, but it seems like the system stabilizes or at least increases very slowly once it passes the initial increase. Operating CW at 12-15 wpm into the dummy, the power output fluctuates but doesn’t exhibit a tendency to rise more than noted above, given a 50/50% sending/receiving behavior. My observations were made at 7.100 MHz with power settings at 2, 5 and 10 watts. The K2 was connected by short length coax leads through the 200 watt W2 Wattmeter Directional Coupler into a dummy consisting of a set of 4 series-parallel 50 ohm Caddock MP820 thick film non-inductive resistors mounted on a fan-cooled heatsink (nominal 80 watt rating) that shows zero SWR from 160 meters through 24 MHz and 1.1 SWR thereafter though 6 meters as measured with an MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer. The resistors remain cool to the touch even after extensive testing. So, do I need to be concerned about the power increase behavior I’m seeing? I do wish to operate digital modes such as PSK31, Hellschreiber, and similar modes where the duty cycle is higher than casual CW or SSB phone. Assuming normal power level control in the K2, is there a power level setting recommended to protect the final in this type of operation? In the future, I plan to homebrew a linear amplifier to give me PEP output in the 80 to 100 watt range primarily for SSB. I was hoping not to have to create gain control back into the K2 from the amp as is done in the K2/100 setup. Any recommendations from those who run a homebrew linear? George Kuehn N9AUP ______________________________________________________________ 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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George,
That is a relatively small change in power output. I do not think you will have a problem with it in normal operation. Keep in mind that the K2 power control resets after a band change or a change in the requested power setting - the output starts out low and then increases to the requested setting. That is done purposefully to prevent overshoot. The initial increase you see is likely a result of starting out at a lower power level and then increasing. It takes a couple dit times to come up to the requested power. I have no suggestions on the homebrew amplifier other than to say that if you include a closed loop power control as is done in the KPA100, you may find it easier to simply add the real KPA100 - the KPA100 wattmeter circuit is scaled for high power operation and eliminates the scaling for low power operation - all that is controlled by the KPA100 firmware. I doubt your homebrew amplifier can achieve that level of integration with the K2 at a price less than the KPA100. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/23/2015 8:43 PM, George Kuehn wrote: > I know from the forum that a K2 will show a power increase over a given setting if left in tune for an extended time as a consequence of the final transistors heating up. That makes sense from what I’m seeing here. The effect is greater at higher power settings although not proportionally higher as my set level increases. I’m just wondering if the amount of shift I’m seeing is normal. > > Here’s what I’m seeing: With my K2 operating into a zero SWR 80 watt (nominal) dummy, the observed increase both on the K2 display as well as on my computer monitored W2 wattmeter tends to be 1.5 watts or less over a ten second period. The initial increase happens quite quickly and then slows. It is difficult to confirm, as I don’t want to leave the rig in tune for an extended period, but it seems like the system stabilizes or at least increases very slowly once it passes the initial increase. Operating CW at 12-15 wpm into the dummy, the power output fluctuates but doesn’t exhibit a tendency to rise more than noted above, given a 50/50% sending/receiving behavior. > > My observations were made at 7.100 MHz with power settings at 2, 5 and 10 watts. The K2 was connected by short length coax leads through the 200 watt W2 Wattmeter Directional Coupler into a dummy consisting of a set of 4 series-parallel 50 ohm Caddock MP820 thick film non-inductive resistors mounted on a fan-cooled heatsink (nominal 80 watt rating) that shows zero SWR from 160 meters through 24 MHz and 1.1 SWR thereafter though 6 meters as measured with an MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer. The resistors remain cool to the touch even after extensive testing. > > So, do I need to be concerned about the power increase behavior I’m seeing? > > I do wish to operate digital modes such as PSK31, Hellschreiber, and similar modes where the duty cycle is higher than casual CW or SSB phone. Assuming normal power level control in the K2, is there a power level setting recommended to protect the final in this type of operation? > > In the future, I plan to homebrew a linear amplifier to give me PEP output in the 80 to 100 watt range primarily for SSB. I was hoping not to have to create gain control back into the K2 from the amp as is done in the K2/100 setup. Any recommendations from those who run a homebrew linear? > ______________________________________________________________ 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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Hello George,
With due respect to Don's valuable advice, you could also consider KXPA100 stand alone linear amplifier. Then you have the flexibility of using the linear with other non-elecraft radios. If you do not need full 100w, Hardrock HR50 linear amplifier is another one very value for money. This one also let you have the joy of kit building Welcome to HobbyPCB Store 73 Johnny VR2XMC | | | | | | | | | Welcome to HobbyPCB StoreHobbyPCB is your source for innovative amateur radio products. We design and manufacturer the HARDROCK-50 HF Power Amp with integrated antenna tuner (ATU). | | | | 查看於 www.hobbypcb.com | Yahoo 預覽 | | | | | 寄件人︰ Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> 收件人︰ George Kuehn <[hidden email]>; [hidden email] 傳送日期︰ 2015年04月24日 (週五) 10:21 AM 主題︰ Re: [Elecraft] K2 power output level fluctuation George, That is a relatively small change in power output. I do not think you will have a problem with it in normal operation. Keep in mind that the K2 power control resets after a band change or a change in the requested power setting - the output starts out low and then increases to the requested setting. That is done purposefully to prevent overshoot. The initial increase you see is likely a result of starting out at a lower power level and then increasing. It takes a couple dit times to come up to the requested power. I have no suggestions on the homebrew amplifier other than to say that if you include a closed loop power control as is done in the KPA100, you may find it easier to simply add the real KPA100 - the KPA100 wattmeter circuit is scaled for high power operation and eliminates the scaling for low power operation - all that is controlled by the KPA100 firmware. I doubt your homebrew amplifier can achieve that level of integration with the K2 at a price less than the KPA100. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/23/2015 8:43 PM, George Kuehn wrote: > I know from the forum that a K2 will show a power increase over a given setting if left in tune for an extended time as a consequence of the final transistors heating up. That makes sense from what I’m seeing here. The effect is greater at higher power settings although not proportionally higher as my set level increases. I’m just wondering if the amount of shift I’m seeing is normal. > > Here’s what I’m seeing: With my K2 operating into a zero SWR 80 watt (nominal) dummy, the observed increase both on the K2 display as well as on my computer monitored W2 wattmeter tends to be 1.5 watts or less over a ten second period. The initial increase happens quite quickly and then slows. It is difficult to confirm, as I don’t want to leave the rig in tune for an extended period, but it seems like the system stabilizes or at least increases very slowly once it passes the initial increase. Operating CW at 12-15 wpm into the dummy, the power output fluctuates but doesn’t exhibit a tendency to rise more than noted above, given a 50/50% sending/receiving behavior. > > My observations were made at 7.100 MHz with power settings at 2, 5 and 10 watts. The K2 was connected by short length coax leads through the 200 watt W2 Wattmeter Directional Coupler into a dummy consisting of a set of 4 series-parallel 50 ohm Caddock MP820 thick film non-inductive resistors mounted on a fan-cooled heatsink (nominal 80 watt rating) that shows zero SWR from 160 meters through 24 MHz and 1.1 SWR thereafter though 6 meters as measured with an MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer. The resistors remain cool to the touch even after extensive testing. > > So, do I need to be concerned about the power increase behavior I’m seeing? > > I do wish to operate digital modes such as PSK31, Hellschreiber, and similar modes where the duty cycle is higher than casual CW or SSB phone. Assuming normal power level control in the K2, is there a power level setting recommended to protect the final in this type of operation? > > In the future, I plan to homebrew a linear amplifier to give me PEP output in the 80 to 100 watt range primarily for SSB. I was hoping not to have to create gain control back into the K2 from the amp as is done in the K2/100 setup. Any recommendations from those who run a homebrew linear? > ______________________________________________________________ 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4
Don,
Since I have the KPA/KAT100 I've not really given it much thought, but how about using a KXPA100 with the K2? Would they integrate well? Phil W7OX On 4/23/15 7:21 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: > George, > > That is a relatively small change in power > output. I do not think you will have a problem > with it in normal operation. > Keep in mind that the K2 power control resets > after a band change or a change in the requested > power setting - the output starts out low and > then increases to the requested setting. That > is done purposefully to prevent overshoot. > > The initial increase you see is likely a result > of starting out at a lower power level and then > increasing. It takes a couple dit times to come > up to the requested power. > > I have no suggestions on the homebrew amplifier > other than to say that if you include a closed > loop power control as is done in the KPA100, you > may find it easier to simply add the real KPA100 > - the KPA100 wattmeter circuit is scaled for > high power operation and eliminates the scaling > for low power operation - all that is controlled > by the KPA100 firmware. I doubt your homebrew > amplifier can achieve that level of integration > with the K2 at a price less than the KPA100. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > > On 4/23/2015 8:43 PM, George Kuehn wrote: >> I know from the forum that a K2 will show a >> power increase over a given setting if left in >> tune for an extended time as a consequence of >> the final transistors heating up. That makes >> sense from what I’m seeing here. The effect is >> greater at higher power settings although not >> proportionally higher as my set level >> increases. I’m just wondering if the amount of >> shift I’m seeing is normal. >> >> Here’s what I’m seeing: With my K2 operating >> into a zero SWR 80 watt (nominal) dummy, the >> observed increase both on the K2 display as >> well as on my computer monitored W2 wattmeter >> tends to be 1.5 watts or less over a ten second >> period. The initial increase happens quite >> quickly and then slows. It is difficult to >> confirm, as I don’t want to leave the rig in >> tune for an extended period, but it seems like >> the system stabilizes or at least increases >> very slowly once it passes the initial >> increase. Operating CW at 12-15 wpm into the >> dummy, the power output fluctuates but doesn’t >> exhibit a tendency to rise more than noted >> above, given a 50/50% sending/receiving behavior. >> >> My observations were made at 7.100 MHz with >> power settings at 2, 5 and 10 watts. The K2 >> was connected by short length coax leads >> through the 200 watt W2 Wattmeter Directional >> Coupler into a dummy consisting of a set of 4 >> series-parallel 50 ohm Caddock MP820 thick film >> non-inductive resistors mounted on a fan-cooled >> heatsink (nominal 80 watt rating) that shows >> zero SWR from 160 meters through 24 MHz and 1.1 >> SWR thereafter though 6 meters as measured with >> an MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer. The resistors >> remain cool to the touch even after extensive >> testing. >> >> So, do I need to be concerned about the power >> increase behavior I’m seeing? >> >> I do wish to operate digital modes such as >> PSK31, Hellschreiber, and similar modes where >> the duty cycle is higher than casual CW or SSB >> phone. Assuming normal power level control in >> the K2, is there a power level setting >> recommended to protect the final in this type >> of operation? >> >> In the future, I plan to homebrew a linear >> amplifier to give me PEP output in the 80 to >> 100 watt range primarily for SSB. I was hoping >> not to have to create gain control back into >> the K2 from the amp as is done in the K2/100 >> setup. Any recommendations from those who run >> a homebrew linear? ______________________________________________________________ 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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The KXPA100 will work with the K2, but just about the same as it will
with any other non-Elecraft QRP transceiver. Of course, the KXPA100 integrates very nicely with the KX3. In other words, the K2 wit KPA100 works like a 100 watt class transceiver. The KX3 with the KXPA100 operates like a 100 watt transceiver. The KXPA100 with any QRP transceiver driving it (K2 included) operates like a transceiver followed by an RF sensed 100 watt amplifier. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/23/2015 10:55 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: > Don, > > Since I have the KPA/KAT100 I've not really given it much thought, but > how about using a KXPA100 with the K2? Would they integrate well? > > Phil W7OX > > On 4/23/15 7:21 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >> George, >> >> That is a relatively small change in power output. I do not think >> you will have a problem with it in normal operation. >> Keep in mind that the K2 power control resets after a band change or >> a change in the requested power setting - the output starts out low >> and then increases to the requested setting. That is done >> purposefully to prevent overshoot. >> >> The initial increase you see is likely a result of starting out at a >> lower power level and then increasing. It takes a couple dit times >> to come up to the requested power. >> >> I have no suggestions on the homebrew amplifier other than to say >> that if you include a closed loop power control as is done in the >> KPA100, you may find it easier to simply add the real KPA100 - the >> KPA100 wattmeter circuit is scaled for high power operation and >> eliminates the scaling for low power operation - all that is >> controlled by the KPA100 firmware. I doubt your homebrew amplifier >> can achieve that level of integration with the K2 at a price less >> than the KPA100. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >> On 4/23/2015 8:43 PM, George Kuehn wrote: >>> I know from the forum that a K2 will show a power increase over a >>> given setting if left in tune for an extended time as a consequence >>> of the final transistors heating up. That makes sense from what I’m >>> seeing here. The effect is greater at higher power settings >>> although not proportionally higher as my set level increases. I’m >>> just wondering if the amount of shift I’m seeing is normal. >>> >>> Here’s what I’m seeing: With my K2 operating into a zero SWR 80 >>> watt (nominal) dummy, the observed increase both on the K2 display >>> as well as on my computer monitored W2 wattmeter tends to be 1.5 >>> watts or less over a ten second period. The initial increase >>> happens quite quickly and then slows. It is difficult to confirm, >>> as I don’t want to leave the rig in tune for an extended period, but >>> it seems like the system stabilizes or at least increases very >>> slowly once it passes the initial increase. Operating CW at 12-15 >>> wpm into the dummy, the power output fluctuates but doesn’t exhibit >>> a tendency to rise more than noted above, given a 50/50% >>> sending/receiving behavior. >>> >>> My observations were made at 7.100 MHz with power settings at 2, 5 >>> and 10 watts. The K2 was connected by short length coax leads >>> through the 200 watt W2 Wattmeter Directional Coupler into a dummy >>> consisting of a set of 4 series-parallel 50 ohm Caddock MP820 thick >>> film non-inductive resistors mounted on a fan-cooled heatsink >>> (nominal 80 watt rating) that shows zero SWR from 160 meters through >>> 24 MHz and 1.1 SWR thereafter though 6 meters as measured with an >>> MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer. The resistors remain cool to the touch >>> even after extensive testing. >>> >>> So, do I need to be concerned about the power increase behavior I’m >>> seeing? >>> >>> I do wish to operate digital modes such as PSK31, Hellschreiber, and >>> similar modes where the duty cycle is higher than casual CW or SSB >>> phone. Assuming normal power level control in the K2, is there a >>> power level setting recommended to protect the final in this type of >>> operation? >>> >>> In the future, I plan to homebrew a linear amplifier to give me PEP >>> output in the 80 to 100 watt range primarily for SSB. I was hoping >>> not to have to create gain control back into the K2 from the amp as >>> is done in the K2/100 setup. Any recommendations from those who run >>> a homebrew linear? > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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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RF-sensed in that it detects what frequency you are transmitting on, and selects the appropriate bandpass filter, antenna and tuning solution from memory. The keying is not RF-sensing, but is based on a key-out line from the K2 -- you may need to add one, if your K2 doesn't have one already. I find that the K2 with KXPA100 is a FB combination, no fans, silent keying.
73, Matt VK2RQ > On 24 Apr 2015, at 2:22 pm, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote: > > The KXPA100 will work with the K2, but just about the same as it will with any other non-Elecraft QRP transceiver. > Of course, the KXPA100 integrates very nicely with the KX3. > > In other words, the K2 wit KPA100 works like a 100 watt class transceiver. > The KX3 with the KXPA100 operates like a 100 watt transceiver. > The KXPA100 with any QRP transceiver driving it (K2 included) operates like a transceiver followed by an RF sensed 100 watt amplifier. > > 73, > Don W3FPR > >> On 4/23/2015 10:55 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: >> Don, >> >> Since I have the KPA/KAT100 I've not really given it much thought, but how about using a KXPA100 with the K2? Would they integrate well? >> >> Phil W7OX >> >>> On 4/23/15 7:21 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >>> George, >>> >>> That is a relatively small change in power output. I do not think you will have a problem with it in normal operation. >>> Keep in mind that the K2 power control resets after a band change or a change in the requested power setting - the output starts out low and then increases to the requested setting. That is done purposefully to prevent overshoot. >>> >>> The initial increase you see is likely a result of starting out at a lower power level and then increasing. It takes a couple dit times to come up to the requested power. >>> >>> I have no suggestions on the homebrew amplifier other than to say that if you include a closed loop power control as is done in the KPA100, you may find it easier to simply add the real KPA100 - the KPA100 wattmeter circuit is scaled for high power operation and eliminates the scaling for low power operation - all that is controlled by the KPA100 firmware. I doubt your homebrew amplifier can achieve that level of integration with the K2 at a price less than the KPA100. >>> >>> 73, >>> Don W3FPR >>> >>>> On 4/23/2015 8:43 PM, George Kuehn wrote: >>>> I know from the forum that a K2 will show a power increase over a given setting if left in tune for an extended time as a consequence of the final transistors heating up. That makes sense from what I’m seeing here. The effect is greater at higher power settings although not proportionally higher as my set level increases. I’m just wondering if the amount of shift I’m seeing is normal. >>>> >>>> Here’s what I’m seeing: With my K2 operating into a zero SWR 80 watt (nominal) dummy, the observed increase both on the K2 display as well as on my computer monitored W2 wattmeter tends to be 1.5 watts or less over a ten second period. The initial increase happens quite quickly and then slows. It is difficult to confirm, as I don’t want to leave the rig in tune for an extended period, but it seems like the system stabilizes or at least increases very slowly once it passes the initial increase. Operating CW at 12-15 wpm into the dummy, the power output fluctuates but doesn’t exhibit a tendency to rise more than noted above, given a 50/50% sending/receiving behavior. >>>> >>>> My observations were made at 7.100 MHz with power settings at 2, 5 and 10 watts. The K2 was connected by short length coax leads through the 200 watt W2 Wattmeter Directional Coupler into a dummy consisting of a set of 4 series-parallel 50 ohm Caddock MP820 thick film non-inductive resistors mounted on a fan-cooled heatsink (nominal 80 watt rating) that shows zero SWR from 160 meters through 24 MHz and 1.1 SWR thereafter though 6 meters as measured with an MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer. The resistors remain cool to the touch even after extensive testing. >>>> >>>> So, do I need to be concerned about the power increase behavior I’m seeing? >>>> >>>> I do wish to operate digital modes such as PSK31, Hellschreiber, and similar modes where the duty cycle is higher than casual CW or SSB phone. Assuming normal power level control in the K2, is there a power level setting recommended to protect the final in this type of operation? >>>> >>>> In the future, I plan to homebrew a linear amplifier to give me PEP output in the 80 to 100 watt range primarily for SSB. I was hoping not to have to create gain control back into the K2 from the amp as is done in the K2/100 setup. Any recommendations from those who run a homebrew linear? >> >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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] > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] 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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Matt is correct.
Adding an Amplifier Keying Circuit to the K2 is necessary and quite easy. Take a look at http://www.mmccs.com/mmarc/n0ss/index_k2.html for a good amp T-R Keying circuit. Note that this is the preserved website of Tom Hammond N0SS (SK). The kits mentioned are *not* available, but the circuit is easy enough to wire on perfboard - Tom provided the layout. Of course, if you etch your own boards, you can do that too. 73, Don W3FPR On 4/24/2015 4:56 AM, Matt VK2RQ wrote: > RF-sensed in that it detects what frequency you are transmitting on, and selects the appropriate bandpass filter, antenna and tuning solution from memory. The keying is not RF-sensing, but is based on a key-out line from the K2 -- you may need to add one, if your K2 doesn't have one already. I find that the K2 with KXPA100 is a FB combination, no fans, silent keying. > > 73, Matt VK2RQ > >> On 24 Apr 2015, at 2:22 pm, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote: >> >> The KXPA100 will work with the K2, but just about the same as it will with any other non-Elecraft QRP transceiver. >> Of course, the KXPA100 integrates very nicely with the KX3. >> >> In other words, the K2 wit KPA100 works like a 100 watt class transceiver. >> The KX3 with the KXPA100 operates like a 100 watt transceiver. >> The KXPA100 with any QRP transceiver driving it (K2 included) operates like a transceiver followed by an RF sensed 100 watt amplifier. >> >> 73, >> Don W3FPR >> >>> On 4/23/2015 10:55 PM, Phil Wheeler wrote: >>> Don, >>> >>> Since I have the KPA/KAT100 I've not really given it much thought, but how about using a KXPA100 with the K2? Would they integrate well? >>> >>> Phil W7OX >>> >>>> On 4/23/15 7:21 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote: >>>> George, >>>> >>>> That is a relatively small change in power output. I do not think you will have a problem with it in normal operation. >>>> Keep in mind that the K2 power control resets after a band change or a change in the requested power setting - the output starts out low and then increases to the requested setting. That is done purposefully to prevent overshoot. >>>> >>>> The initial increase you see is likely a result of starting out at a lower power level and then increasing. It takes a couple dit times to come up to the requested power. >>>> >>>> I have no suggestions on the homebrew amplifier other than to say that if you include a closed loop power control as is done in the KPA100, you may find it easier to simply add the real KPA100 - the KPA100 wattmeter circuit is scaled for high power operation and eliminates the scaling for low power operation - all that is controlled by the KPA100 firmware. I doubt your homebrew amplifier can achieve that level of integration with the K2 at a price less than the KPA100. >>>> >>>> 73, >>>> Don W3FPR >>>> >>>>> On 4/23/2015 8:43 PM, George Kuehn wrote: >>>>> I know from the forum that a K2 will show a power increase over a given setting if left in tune for an extended time as a consequence of the final transistors heating up. That makes sense from what I’m seeing here. The effect is greater at higher power settings although not proportionally higher as my set level increases. I’m just wondering if the amount of shift I’m seeing is normal. >>>>> >>>>> Here’s what I’m seeing: With my K2 operating into a zero SWR 80 watt (nominal) dummy, the observed increase both on the K2 display as well as on my computer monitored W2 wattmeter tends to be 1.5 watts or less over a ten second period. The initial increase happens quite quickly and then slows. It is difficult to confirm, as I don’t want to leave the rig in tune for an extended period, but it seems like the system stabilizes or at least increases very slowly once it passes the initial increase. Operating CW at 12-15 wpm into the dummy, the power output fluctuates but doesn’t exhibit a tendency to rise more than noted above, given a 50/50% sending/receiving behavior. >>>>> >>>>> My observations were made at 7.100 MHz with power settings at 2, 5 and 10 watts. The K2 was connected by short length coax leads through the 200 watt W2 Wattmeter Directional Coupler into a dummy consisting of a set of 4 series-parallel 50 ohm Caddock MP820 thick film non-inductive resistors mounted on a fan-cooled heatsink (nominal 80 watt rating) that shows zero SWR from 160 meters through 24 MHz and 1.1 SWR thereafter though 6 meters as measured with an MFJ 259B Antenna Analyzer. The resistors remain cool to the touch even after extensive testing. >>>>> >>>>> So, do I need to be concerned about the power increase behavior I’m seeing? >>>>> >>>>> I do wish to operate digital modes such as PSK31, Hellschreiber, and similar modes where the duty cycle is higher than casual CW or SSB phone. Assuming normal power level control in the K2, is there a power level setting recommended to protect the final in this type of operation? >>>>> >>>>> In the future, I plan to homebrew a linear amplifier to give me PEP output in the 80 to 100 watt range primarily for SSB. I was hoping not to have to create gain control back into the K2 from the amp as is done in the K2/100 setup. Any recommendations from those who run a homebrew linear? >>> ______________________________________________________________ >>> 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] >> ______________________________________________________________ >> 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] > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] ______________________________________________________________ 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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