KPA 1500 efficiency

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KPA 1500 efficiency

Howard Sherer
Reading the display on the KPA 1500 at various RF output levels shows an
efficiency as follows on 40M into a dummyload:


300W   23%
500W   27%
1000W  42%
1300W  48%
1500W  52%
1600W  54%

Have other owners seen results like this? Do you think a firmware and menu
item could be developed to increase the amps efficiency at lower power
levels by lowering the voltage to the PA?
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Re: KPA 1500 efficiency

Roy Koeppe
Yes, I read the same. Lowering the PA voltage might be a bit difficult...

73,   Roy    K6XK

On 11/13/2020 8:27 AM, Howard Sherer wrote:

> Reading the display on the KPA 1500 at various RF output levels shows an
> efficiency as follows on 40M into a dummyload:
>
>
> 300W   23%
> 500W   27%
> 1000W  42%
> 1300W  48%
> 1500W  52%
> 1600W  54%
>
> Have other owners seen results like this? Do you think a firmware and menu
> item could be developed to increase the amps efficiency at lower power
> levels by lowering the voltage to the PA?
> ______________________________________________________________
>

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Re: KPA 1500 efficiency

Dave wo2x
I would be concerned about reducing voltage for SSB and TX IMD. The NXP 1K50H devices are only biased at 1 amp each which is a bit low for optimal IMD as it is. SSB IMD could be improved by increasing bias to 2 amps per device. Since the bias is only present during TX the waste heat increase would be negligible.

The FLex Power Genius XL uses same RF devices and they use 2 amps per device @ 52 volts on SSB.  IMD at that spec on PG. L is very acceptable.

I am sure there is a reason I am overlooking for the Elecraft engineers to adjust bias to 1 amp per device.

Dave wo2x


Sent from my waxed string and tin cans.

> On Nov 13, 2020, at 10:28 AM, Roy <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Yes, I read the same. Lowering the PA voltage might be a bit difficult...
>
> 73,   Roy    K6XK
>
>> On 11/13/2020 8:27 AM, Howard Sherer wrote:
>> Reading the display on the KPA 1500 at various RF output levels shows an
>> efficiency as follows on 40M into a dummyload:
>>
>>
>> 300W   23%
>> 500W   27%
>> 1000W  42%
>> 1300W  48%
>> 1500W  52%
>> 1600W  54%
>>
>> Have other owners seen results like this? Do you think a firmware and menu
>> item could be developed to increase the amps efficiency at lower power
>> levels by lowering the voltage to the PA?
>> ______________________________________________________________
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Re: KPA 1500 efficiency

Ignacy
This is normal from theory. Input power increase as I*U. Output power
increases as I*I*R. So at half input power one quarter output power. At 1/4
input power 1/16 output power.  

Two ways around, none implemented in KPA1500. Change transformer windings
like in  KX3, which is harder to do at high power. Lower the voltage as in
Expert amps.

In old times, my 20A power supply to a 100W rig broke. I only had 5 A
supply. Was good for 5W. But after adjusting with tuner for a max power, the
output was 25 W. The tuner acted like a transformer.

Ignacy, NO9E


 



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