Elecraft

K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA

Classic

List

Threaded

6 messages Options

Elecraft mailing list

K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA

I looking for input on how well the K3 will integrate with the SPE expert
2K-FA? I currently have the K3 integrated with the KPA-500 and the KAT-500
and I'm very happy with how they work together but I'm not happy with the
limited 500W output of the KPA-500.

So, I looking to understand how the K3 will integrate with the 2K-FA in a
single station set-up and in a SO2R set-up with two K3?

Thanks for your help.

73 Bill W4RM

Please use [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> as my primary account

______________________________________________________________
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]

Rick Tavan-2

Re: K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA

I've not used the SPE amps. Basic interfacing should be like any
third-party amplifier. For full integration, a la KPA500, check the manual
to see if it will decode band data or do RF-sensed band switching. If not,
you'll have to switch amplifier bands manually. Maybe another responder
will know.

You ask about SO2R and on that I do have some feedback on the SPE amps and
it's important. I looked into SPE's claim to support SO2R with a single
amp, something I've always fancied but never achieved. IMHO, the
implementation is brain dead. The amps have two rig connection, six antenna
connections, and a Rig 1/2 toggle input, which looks great on first glance.
But the switching connects the non-transmit rig to a special, dedicated,
receive-only antenna port labeled, ingenuously, "SO2R!" That means you
can't receive on any antenna that is ever to be used to transmit. You
effectively need a separate antenna for all reception on whichever radio is
not transmitting and if it's not an all-band antenna, you need external
switching among multiple, dedicated, receive antennas. Example: six
monoband antennas connected to Ports 1-6 on the amp. You can transmit on
Rig 1 or Rig 2 and the amp will automatically select the band-appropriate
antenna and connect it to the transmitting rig. But it simultaneously and
irrevocably connects the OTHER rig to the separate "SO2R" antenna port.
Maybe you want to do all such receiving on an all-band vertical?

I couldn't believe this when I read it so I called the importer and they
confirmed that cockamamie design. Of course, TWO Expert amps will work fine
in SO2R like any other amps, one connected to each rig. Use external
antenna switching via something like a Six Pak connected to the two amps'
ANT1 connectors. Pity, all that internal switching going unused.

GL & 73,

/Rick N6XI

On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 3:18 PM, Bill OMara via Elecraft <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> I looking for input on how well the K3 will integrate with the SPE expert
> 2K-FA? I currently have the K3 integrated with the KPA-500 and the KAT-500
> and I'm very happy with how they work together but I'm not happy with the
> limited 500W output of the KPA-500.
>
>
>
> So, I looking to understand how the K3 will integrate with the 2K-FA in a
> single station set-up and in a SO2R set-up with two K3?
>
>
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
>
>
> 73 Bill W4RM
>
>
>
> Please use [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> as my primary account
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Re: K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA

Bill,

I do have the same setup that you have (K-Line), but have been looking at
the Expert amps. The user manuals
http://www.expertlinears.com/products.html do have the information to wire a
cable to interface the K3(S) with the amp. They apparently have someone
that will wire a cable up for you, as noted on their home page. It seems
like a very simple build, though.

Here is a YouTube video I found interfacing the 1.3K-FA with the K3S and a
computer. Interesting that you need to select "Kenwood" in order for the
amp to read the correct frequency from the K3S:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rEKUbMuVKc However, they may have updated
the amplifier firmware since this video.

I saw the last post on SO2R, with the requirement of a receive only antenna.
That seems a bit problematic.

'73 de JIM N2ZZ

On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 3:18 PM, Bill OMara via Elecraft <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> I looking for input on how well the K3 will integrate with the SPE
> expert 2K-FA? I currently have the K3 integrated with the KPA-500 and
> the KAT-500 and I'm very happy with how they work together but I'm not
> happy with the limited 500W output of the KPA-500.
>
>
>
> So, I looking to understand how the K3 will integrate with the 2K-FA
> in a single station set-up and in a SO2R set-up with two K3?
>
>
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
>
>
> 73 Bill W4RM
>
>
>
> Please use [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> as my primary account
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

--

Rick Tavan
Truckee, CA
______________________________________________________________
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

Re: K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA

In reply to this post by Rick Tavan-2

Well Rick, your assessment was exactly what I was look for. I had plan to call SPE over the holidays to ask the questions that you provided the answers too. “How is it Amp truly handing the antennas during transmit”?

Well I guess our desire for a true SO2R 2KW solid state amp is still in future …. many Santa will develop one for us.

Maybe I’ll just transition to the SPE 1.3KW to get the extra power first and what for the true SO2R Amp.

Thanks for taking the time to provide your assessment to me and the reflector I’m sure others were interested as well.

73 Bill W4RM

Please use <mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email] as my primary account

From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rick Tavan
Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 9:16 PM
To: Bill OMara <[hidden email]>
Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA

I've not used the SPE amps. Basic interfacing should be like any third-party amplifier. For full integration, a la KPA500, check the manual to see if it will decode band data or do RF-sensed band switching. If not, you'll have to switch amplifier bands manually. Maybe another responder will know.

You ask about SO2R and on that I do have some feedback on the SPE amps and it's important. I looked into SPE's claim to support SO2R with a single amp, something I've always fancied but never achieved. IMHO, the implementation is brain dead. The amps have two rig connection, six antenna connections, and a Rig 1/2 toggle input, which looks great on first glance. But the switching connects the non-transmit rig to a special, dedicated, receive-only antenna port labeled, ingenuously, "SO2R!" That means you can't receive on any antenna that is ever to be used to transmit. You effectively need a separate antenna for all reception on whichever radio is not transmitting and if it's not an all-band antenna, you need external switching among multiple, dedicated, receive antennas. Example: six monoband antennas connected to Ports 1-6 on the amp. You can transmit on Rig 1 or Rig 2 and the amp will automatically select the band-appropriate antenna and connect it to the transmitting rig. But it simultaneously and irrevocably connects the OTHER rig to the separate "SO2R" antenna port. Maybe you want to do all such receiving on an all-band vertical?

I couldn't believe this when I read it so I called the importer and they confirmed that cockamamie design. Of course, TWO Expert amps will work fine in SO2R like any other amps, one connected to each rig. Use external antenna switching via something like a Six Pak connected to the two amps' ANT1 connectors. Pity, all that internal switching going unused.

GL & 73,

/Rick N6XI

On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 3:18 PM, Bill OMara via Elecraft <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> > wrote:

I looking for input on how well the K3 will integrate with the SPE expert
2K-FA? I currently have the K3 integrated with the KPA-500 and the KAT-500
and I'm very happy with how they work together but I'm not happy with the
limited 500W output of the KPA-500.

So, I looking to understand how the K3 will integrate with the 2K-FA in a
single station set-up and in a SO2R set-up with two K3?

Thanks for your help.

73 Bill W4RM

Please use [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> <mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> > as my primary account

______________________________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email] <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] <mailto:[hidden email]>

--

Rick Tavan
Truckee, CA

______________________________________________________________
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]

Joe Subich, W4TV-4

Re: K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA

> Maybe I’ll just transition to the SPE 1.3KW to get the extra power
> first and what for the true SO2R Amp.

Be careful ... the 1.3KW uses transistors rated for maybe 1000 W CW.
SPE's own IMD measurements were done at 800W and were marginal there!
I would certainly not trust the 1.3KW amp for full legal power or even
1300W SSB.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

On 12/24/2015 8:33 AM, Bill OMara via Elecraft wrote:

> Well Rick, your assessment was exactly what I was look for. I had plan to call SPE over the holidays to ask the questions that you provided the answers too. “How is it Amp truly handing the antennas during transmit”?
>
>
>
> Well I guess our desire for a true SO2R 2KW solid state amp is still in future …. many Santa will develop one for us.
>
>
>
> Maybe I’ll just transition to the SPE 1.3KW to get the extra power first and what for the true SO2R Amp.
>
>
>
> Thanks for taking the time to provide your assessment to me and the reflector I’m sure others were interested as well.
>
>
>
> 73 Bill W4RM
>
>
>
> Please use <mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email] as my primary account
>
>
>
> From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rick Tavan
> Sent: Wednesday, December 23, 2015 9:16 PM
> To: Bill OMara <[hidden email]>
> Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA
>
>
>
> I've not used the SPE amps. Basic interfacing should be like any third-party amplifier. For full integration, a la KPA500, check the manual to see if it will decode band data or do RF-sensed band switching. If not, you'll have to switch amplifier bands manually. Maybe another responder will know.
>
>
>
> You ask about SO2R and on that I do have some feedback on the SPE amps and it's important. I looked into SPE's claim to support SO2R with a single amp, something I've always fancied but never achieved. IMHO, the implementation is brain dead. The amps have two rig connection, six antenna connections, and a Rig 1/2 toggle input, which looks great on first glance. But the switching connects the non-transmit rig to a special, dedicated, receive-only antenna port labeled, ingenuously, "SO2R!" That means you can't receive on any antenna that is ever to be used to transmit. You effectively need a separate antenna for all reception on whichever radio is not transmitting and if it's not an all-band antenna, you need external switching among multiple, dedicated, receive antennas. Example: six monoband antennas connected to Ports 1-6 on the amp. You can transmit on Rig 1 or Rig 2 and the amp will automatically select the band-appropriate antenna and connect it to the transmitting rig. But it

simultaneously and irrevocably connects the OTHER rig to the separate "SO2R" antenna port. Maybe you want to do all such receiving on an all-band vertical?

>
>
>
> I couldn't believe this when I read it so I called the importer and they confirmed that cockamamie design. Of course, TWO Expert amps will work fine in SO2R like any other amps, one connected to each rig. Use external antenna switching via something like a Six Pak connected to the two amps' ANT1 connectors. Pity, all that internal switching going unused.
>
>
>
> GL & 73,
>
>
>
> /Rick N6XI
>
>
>
> On Wed, Dec 23, 2015 at 3:18 PM, Bill OMara via Elecraft <[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> > wrote:
>
> I looking for input on how well the K3 will integrate with the SPE expert
> 2K-FA? I currently have the K3 integrated with the KPA-500 and the KAT-500
> and I'm very happy with how they work together but I'm not happy with the
> limited 500W output of the KPA-500.
>
>
>
> So, I looking to understand how the K3 will integrate with the 2K-FA in a
> single station set-up and in a SO2R set-up with two K3?
>
>
>
> Thanks for your help.
>
>
>
> 73 Bill W4RM
>
>
>
> Please use [hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> <mailto:[hidden email] <mailto:[hidden email]> > as my primary account
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email] <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] <mailto:[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]

Ignacy

Re: K3 integration with SPE Expert 2K-FA

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

See diagrams for K3 on SPE yahoo group. In fact, one only needs 4 wires: ground, TX of serial, PTT and turn-on. Works as well as it could.
Ignacy, NO9E