K3 WSPR

[WD6DBM]

My K3 is now up and running with WSPR 2.0 under CAT control, but WSPR only changes the freq not the mode or power--if this is not right and someone knows what dumb error I might be making, please email me off list.

Also, even running at 1watt out, 20% TX cycle, the right side of the rig gets warm.  I'm worried about running more power and a higher duty cycle.  I seem to remember some discussion on the reflector a while back about being able to force the PA on even at low power to keep things cool.  What, if anything became of that?

73, Eric WD6DBM

K3, K2, K1, KX1, all mini-modules and ON MONDAY two  W2s! 
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[K1LI]

Eric,

>> force the PA on even at low power to keep things cool

I don't know about that, but you can force the PA fans on by:

- Press the POWER button to turn the K3 on
- Hold CONFIG to select the Configuration menu, then turn VFO B to KPA3
- Turn the VFO A knob to PAIO ON... further to PAIO TST... past TST to FN1,
then FN2, FN3 and FN4
- The fans should start turning at FN1 and increase speed as you continue to
FN4

If you press CONFIG again, the fans will be left running at the "FNx" speed
you chose.

73 -- Brian -- K1LI
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[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

No worries. That's a normal amount of heat. We also heatsink one of the
DC voltage regulators to the right side of the case. That's most of the
heat you are feeling.

No way you will hurt anything at that low of a power (or higher).

73, Eric  WA6HHQ
Elecraft
===

eric norris wrote:
> My K3 is now up and running with WSPR 2.0 under CAT control, but WSPR only changes the freq not the mode or power--if this is not right and someone knows what dumb error I might be making, please email me off list.
>
> Also, even running at 1watt out, 20% TX cycle, the right side of the rig gets warm.  I'm worried about running more power and a higher duty cycle.  I seem to remember some discussion on the reflector a while back about being able to force the PA on even at low power to keep things cool.  What, if anything became of that?
>
> 73, Eric WD6DBM
>  
--

_..._

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[Julian, G4ILO]

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote

No worries. That's a normal amount of heat. We also heatsink one of the
DC voltage regulators to the right side of the case. That's most of the
heat you are feeling.

No way you will hurt anything at that low of a power (or higher).

It would be nice to be able to have the PA in on the act if you want to run 10W. Admittedly 10W is a bit high for WSPR but some people do it. I don't feel happy having the low power PA running at 10W for two minutes at a time when I could have both of them running at a comfortable tenth of their power rating.

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ]

Hi Julian,

Its perfectly OK to run the LPA at 10W for long TX periods on WSPR and
related modes.  The K3 bottom case area is designed as its LPA heatsink
and its normal for that to be quite warm after long TX periods.  And
we're -way- below the max temp specs for the PAs in the LPA.

We've tested the 10W PA under 100% duty cycle for very long TX cycles.
Our K3-F manufacturing testing includes overnight burn in with extended
TX periods on each band. We haven't killed a LPA yet. :-)

73, Eric
---
.
Julian, G4ILO wrote:

>
> Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:
>  
>> No worries. That's a normal amount of heat. We also heatsink one of the
>> DC voltage regulators to the right side of the case. That's most of the
>> heat you are feeling.
>>
>> No way you will hurt anything at that low of a power (or higher).
>>
>>
>>    
>
> It would be nice to be able to have the PA in on the act if you want to run
> 10W. Admittedly 10W is a bit high for WSPR but some people do it. I don't
> feel happy having the low power PA running at 10W for two minutes at a time
> when I could have both of them running at a comfortable tenth of their power
> rating.
>
> -----
> Julian, G4ILO. K2 #392  K3 #222.
> * G4ILO's Shack - http://www.g4ilo.com
> * KComm - http://www.g4ilo.com/kcomm.html
> * KTune - http://www.g4ilo.com/ktune.html
>
>  

--

_..._

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