K3 PA Temp
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Playing around in the RTTY RU after a full effort in NAQP CW yesterday.
PA temp @100W gets up to about 56C while CQ'ing, so I backed off to 80W. Anyone know how hot is too hot? 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011 - www.cqp.org ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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Fred,
I've been running some stations in the RU for almost an hour, but only running 50W on the K3 into an amp. My temp is showing 34C. Just loafing at that power output. Dave, N4QS ----- Original Message ----- From: "Fred Jensen" <[hidden email]> To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2011 1:24 PM Subject: [Elecraft] K3 PA Temp > Playing around in the RTTY RU after a full effort in NAQP CW yesterday. > PA temp @100W gets up to about 56C while CQ'ing, so I backed off to > 80W. Anyone know how hot is too hot? > > 73, > > Fred K6DGW > - Northern California Contest Club > - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011 > - www.cqp.org > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by k6dgw
It seems that your PA temp is too high,mine I run it all the time on CW at 100W and at high speeds over 40 wpm and the maximun temp I see is 36C. You should check why is so high. AD4C "If freedom means something,it is the right to tell others what they don't want to hear" –George Orwell --- On Sun, 1/9/11, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote: From: Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> Subject: [Elecraft] K3 PA Temp To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> Date: Sunday, January 9, 2011, 7:24 PM Playing around in the RTTY RU after a full effort in NAQP CW yesterday. PA temp @100W gets up to about 56C while CQ'ing, so I backed off to 80W. Anyone know how hot is too hot? 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011 - www.cqp.org ______________________________________________________________ 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 ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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In reply to this post by k6dgw
Hi Fred,
According to the manual, the PA drops out at 84C, so that's clearly the upper limit that Elecraft thought was safe. I routinely see PA temperatures of 60C - 65C when running 100% modes like RTTY, PSK31, etc. into a well matched load for more than a minute or two. I have performed the PA temperature calibration procedure with a thermometer that I trust. I am not overly concerned with temps in the mid 60s. That said, there seems to be some variation in what people experience with regard to PA temperature. Some folks will swear that they never see anything over 35C - 40C. Others (like me) will report higher temps. Of course, ambient air temperature and good air circulation play a large role, but otherwise I don't know the reasons for the variations. 73 -- Joe KB8AP On Jan 9, 2011, at 11:24 AM, Fred Jensen wrote: > Playing around in the RTTY RU after a full effort in NAQP CW yesterday. > PA temp @100W gets up to about 56C while CQ'ing, so I backed off to > 80W. Anyone know how hot is too hot? > > 73, > > Fred K6DGW ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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56C is no problem and well within our normal PA temp operating range.
Even the 84C limit is a conservative number with a fair amount of headroom. 73, Eric WA6HHQ www.elecraft.com === On 1/9/2011 1:22 PM, Joe Planisky wrote: > Hi Fred, > > According to the manual, the PA drops out at 84C, so that's clearly the upper limit that Elecraft thought was safe. I routinely see PA temperatures of 60C - 65C when running 100% modes like RTTY, PSK31, etc. into a well matched load for more than a minute or two. I have performed the PA temperature calibration procedure with a thermometer that I trust. I am not overly concerned with temps in the mid 60s. > > That said, there seems to be some variation in what people experience with regard to PA temperature. Some folks will swear that they never see anything over 35C - 40C. Others (like me) will report higher temps. Of course, ambient air temperature and good air circulation play a large role, but otherwise I don't know the reasons for the variations. > > 73 > -- > Joe KB8AP > > On Jan 9, 2011, at 11:24 AM, Fred Jensen wrote: > >> Playing around in the RTTY RU after a full effort in NAQP CW yesterday. >> PA temp @100W gets up to about 56C while CQ'ing, so I backed off to >> 80W. Anyone know how hot is too hot? >> >> 73, >> 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 |
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This past weekend I installed the 2nd RX in K-3 serial # 2922. As part of that installation I installed the KBPF3 board in the 2nd RX.
The 2nd RX appears to be performing OK. All of the setup went OK with the exception of the KBPF3. When the K-3 is turned on I get ERR BP2. The Manual indicates the Problem is "No response from KBPF3 option shift registers". The Manual indicates the only cure for this error is to " *De-install KBPF3 on RF board". I am a bit confused with the suggested "Troubleshooting steps". Can anyone shed light on this situation, and a possible cure? Thanks, de Milt, N5IA ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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Milt,
First make sure you enabled the correct KBPF3. You may have actually tried to enable one on the main RF board and not the sub RX. if you have the right int turned on then take it apart and make sure it is plugged in properly. The shift register is how command data is transferred from the MCU to the various parts of the radio. If that still doesn't work, try installing the module on the main board to verify that it is, indeed, ok. If none of that works it may be time to call Elecraft support. 73 and good luck, Chuck - AA3CS Sent from my iPhone On Jan 10, 2011, at 13:23, Milt -- N5IA <[hidden email]> wrote: > This past weekend I installed the 2nd RX in K-3 serial # 2922. As part of that installation I installed the KBPF3 board in the 2nd RX. > > The 2nd RX appears to be performing OK. All of the setup went OK with the exception of the KBPF3. When the K-3 is turned on I get ERR BP2. > > The Manual indicates the Problem is "No response from KBPF3 option shift registers". > > The Manual indicates the only cure for this error is to " *De-install KBPF3 on RF board". > > I am a bit confused with the suggested "Troubleshooting steps". Can anyone shed light on this situation, and a possible cure? > > Thanks, de Milt, N5IA > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 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
73 - Chuck, AA3CS
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In reply to this post by k6dgw
This seems a bit hot. I ran the whole contest QRO on all bands. The temp never got over 45C even when running and calling CQ every 15 sec or so. What band were you on when the temp went up? I once had a problem on 40m that was in part caused by RF getting back in via the battery feed. A couple of clamp-on chokes on both the positive and negative together seem to have cleaned this issue up nicely. Milt AD5XD --- On Sun, 1/9/11, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> wrote: > From: Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 PA Temp > To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> > Date: Sunday, January 9, 2011, 1:24 PM > Playing around in the RTTY RU after a > full effort in NAQP CW yesterday. > PA temp @100W gets up to about 56C while CQ'ing, so > I backed off to > 80W. Anyone know how hot is too hot? > > 73, > > Fred K6DGW > - Northern California Contest Club > - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011 > - www.cqp.org > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > 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 |
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Oh, and I forgot to mention the 12 vdc muffin fan that I have sitting on the top that blows air into the rig. Milt AD5XD --- On Mon, 1/10/11, Milton <[hidden email]> wrote: > From: Milton <[hidden email]> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 PA Temp > To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]>, [hidden email] > Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 10:41 PM > > This seems a bit hot. I ran the whole contest QRO on > all bands. > The temp never got over 45C even when running and calling > CQ > every 15 sec or so. > > What band were you on when the temp went up? I once had a > problem on > 40m that was in part caused by RF getting back in via the > battery feed. > A couple of clamp-on chokes on both the positive and > negative together > seem to have cleaned this issue up > nicely. > > Milt > AD5XD > > > --- On Sun, 1/9/11, Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> > wrote: > > > From: Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> > > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 PA Temp > > To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> > > Date: Sunday, January 9, 2011, 1:24 PM > > Playing around in the RTTY RU after a > > full effort in NAQP CW yesterday. > > PA temp @100W gets up to about 56C while CQ'ing, > so > > I backed off to > > 80W. Anyone know how hot is too hot? > > > > 73, > > > > Fred K6DGW > > - Northern California Contest Club > > - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011 > > - www.cqp.org > > > ______________________________________________________________ > > 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 > > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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 > 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 |
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In reply to this post by k6dgw
Fred:
Dumb question, but you wouldnt have one or both of the following conditions: 1 - Fan speed on FN1 for "noise abatement" and not on AUTO, or: 2 - Something like a monitor base or a radio interface sitting over the grille on the top of the radio's cabinet, thus blocking or severely restricting the fresh air intake to the fans? The fans on my rig suck air OUT of the cabinet, and intake air from the top through the grille, over the PA Heatsink fins and then exhaust it out the back, not the other way around... the grille at the top of the radio is the air intake. Kind of counter intuitive (after all, hot air rises) but that's the way it is... I run the fans full blast all the time by setting them at FN4. For me, the more air they move, the better. In my station environment (boom mic headset 99.999% of the time), the noise is not a problem. For transmission noise abatement, there is always TX GATE :) -lu-w4lt- K3 #3192 > From: Fred Jensen <[hidden email]> > Subject: [Elecraft] K3 PA Temp > To: "Elecraft Reflector" <[hidden email]> > Date: Sunday, January 9, 2011, 1:24 PM > Playing around in the RTTY RU after a > full effort in NAQP CW yesterday. > ? PA temp @100W gets up to about 56C while CQ'ing, so > I backed off to > 80W.? Anyone know how hot is too hot? > > 73, > > Fred K6DGW > - Northern California Contest Club > - CU in the 2011 Cal QSO Party 1-2 Oct 2011 > - http://www.cqp.org ______________________________________________________________ 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 |
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