KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current

[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

Well ARRL 160 is history now.

As usual, with the K2 I heard more than I could get to
hear me ;o) Evidently I heard and worked more than
some of the local contesters with "other" brand
equipment heheh.

Anyway I have a problem... I use the KPA100 with the
KAT100, and there may be no connection between the
two, to stretch the bandwith of my antenna. If I set
the K2 for 100 watts (or just twist the knob far
clockwise), the ALC does not kick in. In a key down
situation, the current keeps climbing until the fuse
blows. If I set it for 99 watts (I realize this is not
that precise) the ALC does function somewhat. I've not
tried it with a dummy load. The antenna was fairly
well matched (1.2:1 at it best point)and has a current
balun on it. So this really shouldn't be happening. Do
I have a problem with the KPA?

Thanks,

Julius
n2wn


 
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[John E. Reiser]

Hi Julius,

Both my K2/100s, #4970 and #5570 exhibit excessive current draw on 160
meters, as indicated by the ammeter on my 30 watt Astron PS.  It gets up to
27 or 28 amps.  I use a 30 amp fuse.  In every other respect, my two
K2/100's work perfectly.  Current draw on all the other bands is less than
20 amps.

I don't have an antenna for 160, so I never transmit on that band anyway,
and this is not a big problem for me.  Still, being a bit of a
perfectionist, it bothers me that it exists.

I mentioned it on the reflector a while ago.  Someone said they had the same
experience, but had no solution.  Someone else suggested that I retune the
80 meter bandpass filter to represent a compromise between 80 and 160.  I
tried that, but the excessive current draw continued regardless of the
bandpass tuning.  (Could it be due to the KPA100 going into oscillation at
the 160 frequency?)

When I saw your post, I became hopeful that it might evoke a response from
someone who had come up with the definitive solution.  But so far there
hasn't been any.

Good luck and 73,

John, W2GW

----- Original Message -----
From: "J F" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:49 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current

> Well ARRL 160 is history now.
>
> As usual, with the K2 I heard more than I could get to
> hear me ;o) Evidently I heard and worked more than
> some of the local contesters with "other" brand
> equipment heheh.
>
> Anyway I have a problem... I use the KPA100 with the
> KAT100, and there may be no connection between the
> two, to stretch the bandwith of my antenna. If I set
> the K2 for 100 watts (or just twist the knob far
> clockwise), the ALC does not kick in. In a key down
> situation, the current keeps climbing until the fuse
> blows. If I set it for 99 watts (I realize this is not
> that precise) the ALC does function somewhat. I've not
> tried it with a dummy load. The antenna was fairly
> well matched (1.2:1 at it best point)and has a current
> balun on it. So this really shouldn't be happening. Do
> I have a problem with the KPA?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Julius
> n2wn
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Yahoo! Music Unlimited
> Access over 1 million songs.
> http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
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> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>

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[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

Hi John,

Do you use the KAT100 with yours? Or is it just
straight to the load?

I do see a lot of RF in the shack with my sniffer on
160. It seems like it is coming from the sides of the
KAT100. I'm going to experiment this weekend,
hopefully, taking the tuner out of the line altogether
and see if it makes a difference.

I'll post as soon as I can.

Cheers,
Julius
n2wn


--- John Reiser <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi Julius,
>
> Both my K2/100s, #4970 and #5570 exhibit excessive
> current draw on 160
> meters, as indicated by the ammeter on my 30 watt
> Astron PS.  It gets up to
> 27 or 28 amps.  I use a 30 amp fuse.  In every other
> respect, my two
> K2/100's work perfectly.  Current draw on all the
> other bands is less than
> 20 amps.
>
> I don't have an antenna for 160, so I never transmit
> on that band anyway,
> and this is not a big problem for me.  Still, being
> a bit of a
> perfectionist, it bothers me that it exists.
>
> I mentioned it on the reflector a while ago.
> Someone said they had the same
> experience, but had no solution.  Someone else
> suggested that I retune the
> 80 meter bandpass filter to represent a compromise
> between 80 and 160.  I
> tried that, but the excessive current draw continued
> regardless of the
> bandpass tuning.  (Could it be due to the KPA100
> going into oscillation at
> the 160 frequency?)
>
> When I saw your post, I became hopeful that it might
> evoke a response from
> someone who had come up with the definitive
> solution.  But so far there
> hasn't been any.
>
> Good luck and 73,
>
> John, W2GW
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "J F" <[hidden email]>
> To: "Elecraft Discussion List"
> <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:49 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current
>
>
> > Well ARRL 160 is history now.
> >
> > As usual, with the K2 I heard more than I could
> get to
> > hear me ;o) Evidently I heard and worked more than
> > some of the local contesters with "other" brand
> > equipment heheh.
> >
> > Anyway I have a problem... I use the KPA100 with
> the
> > KAT100, and there may be no connection between the
> > two, to stretch the bandwith of my antenna. If I
> set
> > the K2 for 100 watts (or just twist the knob far
> > clockwise), the ALC does not kick in. In a key
> down
> > situation, the current keeps climbing until the
> fuse
> > blows. If I set it for 99 watts (I realize this is
> not
> > that precise) the ALC does function somewhat. I've
> not
> > tried it with a dummy load. The antenna was fairly
> > well matched (1.2:1 at it best point)and has a
> current
> > balun on it. So this really shouldn't be
> happening. Do
> > I have a problem with the KPA?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Julius
> > n2wn
> >
> >
> >
> >
>

____________________________________________________________________________________

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> >
>
>
>

 
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[Craig Rairdin]

FWIW late in the 160m contest I noticed the K2/100 was a little warm. I
switched to the current reading on my power supply and saw numbers in the
27-30 A range. I realized that a couple hours before I had cranked the power
all the way up to 111 watts (as high as it went) and hadn't turned it back
down to 100. When I turned it down to 100 the current draw looked normal
(maxing out around 20 A).

I was transmitting into an antenna that was 3:1 SWR without the KAT100; 1:1
with the tuner.

I didn't notice any bad behavior otherwise. Just thought I'd throw this into
the discussion for a data point.

Craig
NZ0R



-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email]
[mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of John Reiser
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 9:43 AM
To: J F; Elecraft Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current


Hi Julius,

Both my K2/100s, #4970 and #5570 exhibit excessive current draw on 160
meters, as indicated by the ammeter on my 30 watt Astron PS.  It gets up to
27 or 28 amps.  I use a 30 amp fuse.  In every other respect, my two
K2/100's work perfectly.  Current draw on all the other bands is less than
20 amps.

I don't have an antenna for 160, so I never transmit on that band anyway,
and this is not a big problem for me.  Still, being a bit of a
perfectionist, it bothers me that it exists.

I mentioned it on the reflector a while ago.  Someone said they had the same

experience, but had no solution.  Someone else suggested that I retune the
80 meter bandpass filter to represent a compromise between 80 and 160.  I
tried that, but the excessive current draw continued regardless of the
bandpass tuning.  (Could it be due to the KPA100 going into oscillation at
the 160 frequency?)

When I saw your post, I became hopeful that it might evoke a response from
someone who had come up with the definitive solution.  But so far there
hasn't been any.

Good luck and 73,

John, W2GW

----- Original Message -----
From: "J F" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:49 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current

> Well ARRL 160 is history now.
>
> As usual, with the K2 I heard more than I could get to
> hear me ;o) Evidently I heard and worked more than
> some of the local contesters with "other" brand
> equipment heheh.
>
> Anyway I have a problem... I use the KPA100 with the
> KAT100, and there may be no connection between the
> two, to stretch the bandwith of my antenna. If I set
> the K2 for 100 watts (or just twist the knob far
> clockwise), the ALC does not kick in. In a key down
> situation, the current keeps climbing until the fuse
> blows. If I set it for 99 watts (I realize this is not
> that precise) the ALC does function somewhat. I've not
> tried it with a dummy load. The antenna was fairly
> well matched (1.2:1 at it best point)and has a current
> balun on it. So this really shouldn't be happening. Do
> I have a problem with the KPA?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Julius
> n2wn
>
>
>
>

____________________________________________________________________________
________

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[John E. Reiser]

Hi Julius and Craig,

Ordinarilly, I have my KAT100 in line to flatten my antennas.  During the
alignment and test phase on the bench it was not used.  I just had a watt
meter and dummy load connected.  I usually have the power set to 100 watts
out

I will experiment to see if there is a power-out point below which the
current draw seems normal (15-20 amps) and report back.

John, W2GW

----- Original Message -----
From: "J F" <[hidden email]>
To: "John Reiser" <[hidden email]>; "Elecraft Discussion List"
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current

> Hi John,
>
> Do you use the KAT100 with yours? Or is it just
> straight to the load?
>
> I do see a lot of RF in the shack with my sniffer on
> 160. It seems like it is coming from the sides of the
> KAT100. I'm going to experiment this weekend,
> hopefully, taking the tuner out of the line altogether
> and see if it makes a difference.
>
> I'll post as soon as I can.
>
> Cheers,
> Julius
> n2wn
>
>
> --- John Reiser <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hi Julius,
>>
>> Both my K2/100s, #4970 and #5570 exhibit excessive
>> current draw on 160
>> meters, as indicated by the ammeter on my 30 watt
>> Astron PS.  It gets up to
>> 27 or 28 amps.  I use a 30 amp fuse.  In every other
>> respect, my two
>> K2/100's work perfectly.  Current draw on all the
>> other bands is less than
>> 20 amps.
>>
>> I don't have an antenna for 160, so I never transmit
>> on that band anyway,
>> and this is not a big problem for me.  Still, being
>> a bit of a
>> perfectionist, it bothers me that it exists.
>>
>> I mentioned it on the reflector a while ago.
>> Someone said they had the same
>> experience, but had no solution.  Someone else
>> suggested that I retune the
>> 80 meter bandpass filter to represent a compromise
>> between 80 and 160.  I
>> tried that, but the excessive current draw continued
>> regardless of the
>> bandpass tuning.  (Could it be due to the KPA100
>> going into oscillation at
>> the 160 frequency?)
>>
>> When I saw your post, I became hopeful that it might
>> evoke a response from
>> someone who had come up with the definitive
>> solution.  But so far there
>> hasn't been any.
>>
>> Good luck and 73,
>>
>> John, W2GW
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "J F" <[hidden email]>
>> To: "Elecraft Discussion List"
>> <[hidden email]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:49 AM
>> Subject: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current
>>
>>
>> > Well ARRL 160 is history now.
>> >
>> > As usual, with the K2 I heard more than I could
>> get to
>> > hear me ;o) Evidently I heard and worked more than
>> > some of the local contesters with "other" brand
>> > equipment heheh.
>> >
>> > Anyway I have a problem... I use the KPA100 with
>> the
>> > KAT100, and there may be no connection between the
>> > two, to stretch the bandwith of my antenna. If I
>> set
>> > the K2 for 100 watts (or just twist the knob far
>> > clockwise), the ALC does not kick in. In a key
>> down
>> > situation, the current keeps climbing until the
>> fuse
>> > blows. If I set it for 99 watts (I realize this is
>> not
>> > that precise) the ALC does function somewhat. I've
>> not
>> > tried it with a dummy load. The antenna was fairly
>> > well matched (1.2:1 at it best point)and has a
>> current
>> > balun on it. So this really shouldn't be
>> happening. Do
>> > I have a problem with the KPA?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Julius
>> > n2wn
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
>> > Yahoo! Music Unlimited
>> > Access over 1 million songs.
>> > http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
>> > _______________________________________________
>> > Elecraft mailing list
>> > Post to: [hidden email]
>> > You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>> > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>> >
>> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>> > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________________
> Any questions? Get answers on any topic at www.Answers.yahoo.com.  Try it
> now.
>

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[Don Wilhelm-3]

John, Julius,

The normal thing to look at in a high current situation is the low pass
filter.  Check both on the base K2 and the KPA100.  First thing is to count
the turns on the toroids - count only the turns that pass through the center
of the core or you might end up with an extra turn.

On the 160 meter band, one extra turn is all it takes to create a high
current situation because the cutoff frequency of the LPF moves down into
the 160 meter band and shunts some of the signal to ground.

The KAP100 LPF is easy to sweep with an antenna analyzer - connect the
ribbon cable to the K2 and select the band of interest, put a 50 ohm
resistor into the input cable and attach the analyzer to the SO-239.  If you
do not find a low SWR throughout the band, the LPF is to blame.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf Of John Reiser
> Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 10:43 AM
> To: J F; Elecraft Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current
>
>
> Hi Julius,
>
> Both my K2/100s, #4970 and #5570 exhibit excessive current draw on 160
> meters, as indicated by the ammeter on my 30 watt Astron PS.  It
> gets up to
> 27 or 28 amps.  I use a 30 amp fuse.  In every other respect, my two
> K2/100's work perfectly.  Current draw on all the other bands is
> less than
> 20 amps.
>
> I don't have an antenna for 160, so I never transmit on that band anyway,
> and this is not a big problem for me.  Still, being a bit of a
> perfectionist, it bothers me that it exists.
>
> I mentioned it on the reflector a while ago.  Someone said they
> had the same
> experience, but had no solution.  Someone else suggested that I
> retune the
> 80 meter bandpass filter to represent a compromise between 80 and 160.  I
> tried that, but the excessive current draw continued regardless of the
> bandpass tuning.  (Could it be due to the KPA100 going into
> oscillation at
> the 160 frequency?)
>
> When I saw your post, I became hopeful that it might evoke a
> response from
> someone who had come up with the definitive solution.  But so far there
> hasn't been any.
>
> Good luck and 73,
>
> John, W2GW
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "J F" <[hidden email]>
> To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:49 AM
> Subject: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current
>
>
> > Well ARRL 160 is history now.
> >
> > As usual, with the K2 I heard more than I could get to
> > hear me ;o) Evidently I heard and worked more than
> > some of the local contesters with "other" brand
> > equipment heheh.
> >
> > Anyway I have a problem... I use the KPA100 with the
> > KAT100, and there may be no connection between the
> > two, to stretch the bandwith of my antenna. If I set
> > the K2 for 100 watts (or just twist the knob far
> > clockwise), the ALC does not kick in. In a key down
> > situation, the current keeps climbing until the fuse
> > blows. If I set it for 99 watts (I realize this is not
> > that precise) the ALC does function somewhat. I've not
> > tried it with a dummy load. The antenna was fairly
> > well matched (1.2:1 at it best point)and has a current
> > balun on it. So this really shouldn't be happening. Do
> > I have a problem with the KPA?
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Julius
> > n2wn
> >
> >
> >
> >
> __________________________________________________________________
> __________________
> > Yahoo! Music Unlimited
> > Access over 1 million songs.
> > http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
> > _______________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Post to: [hidden email]
> > You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

Hi Don,

thank you very much, I will definitely take a look at
that. It certainly is easy to miscount a densely wound
toroid when distracted.

Cheers,

Julius
n2wn


--- Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> John, Julius,
>
> The normal thing to look at in a high current
> situation is the low pass
> filter.  Check both on the base K2 and the KPA100.
> First thing is to count
> the turns on the toroids - count only the turns that
> pass through the center
> of the core or you might end up with an extra turn.
>
> On the 160 meter band, one extra turn is all it
> takes to create a high
> current situation because the cutoff frequency of
> the LPF moves down into
> the 160 meter band and shunts some of the signal to
> ground.
>
> The KAP100 LPF is easy to sweep with an antenna
> analyzer - connect the
> ribbon cable to the K2 and select the band of
> interest, put a 50 ohm
> resistor into the input cable and attach the
> analyzer to the SO-239.  If you
> do not find a low SWR throughout the band, the LPF
> is to blame.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [hidden email]
> > [mailto:[hidden email]]On Behalf
> Of John Reiser
> > Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 10:43 AM
> > To: J F; Elecraft Discussion List
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi
> Current
> >
> >
> > Hi Julius,
> >
> > Both my K2/100s, #4970 and #5570 exhibit excessive
> current draw on 160
> > meters, as indicated by the ammeter on my 30 watt
> Astron PS.  It
> > gets up to
> > 27 or 28 amps.  I use a 30 amp fuse.  In every
> other respect, my two
> > K2/100's work perfectly.  Current draw on all the
> other bands is
> > less than
> > 20 amps.
> >
> > I don't have an antenna for 160, so I never
> transmit on that band anyway,
> > and this is not a big problem for me.  Still,
> being a bit of a
> > perfectionist, it bothers me that it exists.
> >
> > I mentioned it on the reflector a while ago.
> Someone said they
> > had the same
> > experience, but had no solution.  Someone else
> suggested that I
> > retune the
> > 80 meter bandpass filter to represent a compromise
> between 80 and 160.  I
> > tried that, but the excessive current draw
> continued regardless of the
> > bandpass tuning.  (Could it be due to the KPA100
> going into
> > oscillation at
> > the 160 frequency?)
> >
> > When I saw your post, I became hopeful that it
> might evoke a
> > response from
> > someone who had come up with the definitive
> solution.  But so far there
> > hasn't been any.
> >
> > Good luck and 73,
> >
> > John, W2GW
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "J F" <[hidden email]>
> > To: "Elecraft Discussion List"
> <[hidden email]>
> > Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:49 AM
> > Subject: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi
> Current
> >
> >
> > > Well ARRL 160 is history now.
> > >
> > > As usual, with the K2 I heard more than I could
> get to
> > > hear me ;o) Evidently I heard and worked more
> than
> > > some of the local contesters with "other" brand
> > > equipment heheh.
> > >
> > > Anyway I have a problem... I use the KPA100 with
> the
> > > KAT100, and there may be no connection between
> the
> > > two, to stretch the bandwith of my antenna. If I
> set
> > > the K2 for 100 watts (or just twist the knob far
> > > clockwise), the ALC does not kick in. In a key
> down
> > > situation, the current keeps climbing until the
> fuse
> > > blows. If I set it for 99 watts (I realize this
> is not
> > > that precise) the ALC does function somewhat.
> I've not
> > > tried it with a dummy load. The antenna was
> fairly
> > > well matched (1.2:1 at it best point)and has a
> current
> > > balun on it. So this really shouldn't be
> happening. Do
> > > I have a problem with the KPA?
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Julius
> > > n2wn
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
>

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> Release Date:
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[John E. Reiser]

Hi Don,

Thanks for your help.  I will do as you suggest.  (Not today though_ too
many honey-dos.)

What gives me pause: how could I screw up twice the same way?  I suppose
it's possible.

73,

John, W2GW


----- Original Message -----
From: "Don Wilhelm" <[hidden email]>
To: "John Reiser" <[hidden email]>; "J F" <[hidden email]>;
"Elecraft Discussion List" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 1:25 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current

> John, Julius,
>
> The normal thing to look at in a high current situation is the low pass
> filter.  Check both on the base K2 and the KPA100.  First thing is to
> count
> the turns on the toroids - count only the turns that pass through the
> center
> of the core or you might end up with an extra turn.
>
> On the 160 meter band, one extra turn is all it takes to create a high
> current situation because the cutoff frequency of the LPF moves down into
> the 160 meter band and shunts some of the signal to ground.
>
> The KAP100 LPF is easy to sweep with an antenna analyzer - connect the
> ribbon cable to the K2 and select the band of interest, put a 50 ohm
> resistor into the input cable and attach the analyzer to the SO-239.  If
> you
> do not find a low SWR throughout the band, the LPF is to blame.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>

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[Tom Hammond-3]

Fellas:

For what it's probably worth, I just checked my K2/100 on 160M into a
known good B&W 50-Ohm dummyload/wattmeter.

At 14.2VDC supply (out of the P/S) my KPA100 draws 16A of current at
a measured 100W into the dummyload.

Just to muck up the discussion a bit more.

73,

Tom   N0SS

Previous thread trail deleted to save a bit of bandwidth.

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[John E. Reiser]

Hi Tom,

That is indeed valuable input.  Thanks!

73,

John, W2GW

----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Hammond" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>; "John Reiser" <[hidden email]>; "J F"
<[hidden email]>; "Elecraft Discussion List"
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 2:38 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current

> Fellas:
>
> For what it's probably worth, I just checked my K2/100 on 160M into a
> known good B&W 50-Ohm dummyload/wattmeter.
>
> At 14.2VDC supply (out of the P/S) my KPA100 draws 16A of current at a
> measured 100W into the dummyload.
>
> Just to muck up the discussion a bit more.
>
> 73,
>
> Tom   N0SS
>
> Previous thread trail deleted to save a bit of bandwidth.
>
>

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[Julius Fazekas n2wn]

Thanks Tom!

I checked my second K2/100 on 160 into a dummy load
and it looks like it draws about 18A at 12.5 VDC.

So I'm guessing I miscounted turns. Will check it out
over the weekend, assuming 10 isn't hopping.

Cheers,
Julius
n2wn

--- Tom Hammond <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Fellas:
>
> For what it's probably worth, I just checked my
> K2/100 on 160M into a
> known good B&W 50-Ohm dummyload/wattmeter.
>
> At 14.2VDC supply (out of the P/S) my KPA100 draws
> 16A of current at
> a measured 100W into the dummyload.
>
> Just to muck up the discussion a bit more.
>
> 73,
>
> Tom   N0SS
>
> Previous thread trail deleted to save a bit of
> bandwidth.
>
>

 
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[Russ-12]

Here is some more muck.  I just checked my K2/100 on 160M into a dummy load
and measured 14.5A @ 13.5V on my Astron RS-20M, although I'm not sure how
accurate the meters are on the PS.  I don't have the Kat100.  I do get some
strange readings on my 160 inv-v and my inv-L but that can be due to the
snow and ice we have just had here in Western MI.

Russ, N3CO
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Hammond" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>; "John Reiser" <[hidden email]>; "J F"
<[hidden email]>; "Elecraft Discussion List"
<[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2006 2:38 PM
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current

>
> Fellas:
>
> For what it's probably worth, I just checked my K2/100 on 160M into a
> known good B&W 50-Ohm dummyload/wattmeter.
>
> At 14.2VDC supply (out of the P/S) my KPA100 draws 16A of current at a
> measured 100W into the dummyload.
>
> Just to muck up the discussion a bit more.
>
> 73,
>
> Tom   N0SS
>
> Previous thread trail deleted to save a bit of bandwidth.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>
>
> --
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG Free Edition.
> Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.15.14/578 - Release Date: 12/7/2006
> 1:27 AM
>
>

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[Fraser Robertson]

Hi, our clubs K2/100 has the same problem with high curent at full power on
160m, but my own is ok.  Has anyone found a cure?

73 Fraser G4BJM

>From: John Reiser <[hidden email]>
>To: J F <[hidden email]>,Elecraft Discussion List
><[hidden email]>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160  Hi Current
>Date: Thu, 07 Dec 2006 10:42:56 -0500
>
>Hi Julius,
>
>Both my K2/100s, #4970 and #5570 exhibit excessive current draw on 160
>meters, as indicated by the ammeter on my 30 watt Astron PS.  It gets up to
>27 or 28 amps.  I use a 30 amp fuse.  In every other respect, my two
>K2/100's work perfectly.  Current draw on all the other bands is less than
>20 amps.
>
>I don't have an antenna for 160, so I never transmit on that band anyway,
>and this is not a big problem for me.  Still, being a bit of a
>perfectionist, it bothers me that it exists.
>
>I mentioned it on the reflector a while ago.  Someone said they had the
>same experience, but had no solution.  Someone else suggested that I retune
>the 80 meter bandpass filter to represent a compromise between 80 and 160.  
>I tried that, but the excessive current draw continued regardless of the
>bandpass tuning.  (Could it be due to the KPA100 going into oscillation at
>the 160 frequency?)
>
>When I saw your post, I became hopeful that it might evoke a response from
>someone who had come up with the definitive solution.  But so far there
>hasn't been any.
>
>Good luck and 73,
>
>John, W2GW
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "J F" <[hidden email]>
>To: "Elecraft Discussion List" <[hidden email]>
>Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2006 5:49 AM
>Subject: [Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current
>
>
>>Well ARRL 160 is history now.
>>
>>As usual, with the K2 I heard more than I could get to
>>hear me ;o) Evidently I heard and worked more than
>>some of the local contesters with "other" brand
>>equipment heheh.
>>
>>Anyway I have a problem... I use the KPA100 with the
>>KAT100, and there may be no connection between the
>>two, to stretch the bandwith of my antenna. If I set
>>the K2 for 100 watts (or just twist the knob far
>>clockwise), the ALC does not kick in. In a key down
>>situation, the current keeps climbing until the fuse
>>blows. If I set it for 99 watts (I realize this is not
>>that precise) the ALC does function somewhat. I've not
>>tried it with a dummy load. The antenna was fairly
>>well matched (1.2:1 at it best point)and has a current
>>balun on it. So this really shouldn't be happening. Do
>>I have a problem with the KPA?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Julius
>>n2wn
>>
>>
>>
>>____________________________________________________________________________________
>>Yahoo! Music Unlimited
>>Access over 1 million songs.
>>http://music.yahoo.com/unlimited
>>_______________________________________________
>>Elecraft mailing list
>>Post to: [hidden email]
>>You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
>>Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
>>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>>
>>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
>>Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
>>
>
>
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[Don Wilhelm-3]

Fraser,

What is the power level at 'full power'?  I have seen K2/100s that could
easily develop 160 watts on 160.  To be consistent, measure the current
drawn from the power supply while the KPA100 is delivering 100 watts to a 50
ohm dummy load.  All other comparisons are filled with unknown variables.

There is a difference between a Hi Cur message (base K2 drawing more than
the CAL CUR limit) and a high current being drawn from the supply powering
the KPA100 (amplifier is drawing excessive current).

Also, measure the voltage delivered by the power supply to the KPA100 APP
connector during transmit.  If the voltage drops, the K2 will crank up the
power (draw more current) to attempt to provide the full requested power
output - and if the PS voltage drops significantly the problem is in the
power supply and the connecting cable rather than in the K2/100.

Sorry for the longish answer, but there are several variables that should be
sorted out before determining if a problem exists and if so where it is
located.

In general an amplifier that draws excessive current AND has lower than
expected power output, one can point to the LPF for the source of the
problem, BUT excessive current with proper power output is usually caused by
too low a power supply voltage or bad power supply connections.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> Hi, our clubs K2/100 has the same problem with high curent at
> full power on
> 160m, but my own is ok.  Has anyone found a cure?
>
> 73 Fraser G4BJM
>
>
--
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12:53 PM

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