KPA500 Mod Kit?

[Randy Farmer]

I had a chance for a nice visit with David Shoaf at the Elecraft booth
at Ham-Com this weekend. In the course of the conversation, he mentioned
the availability of a mod kit to change out Q5 on the LPF board to
prevent PIN diode failure in the T/R switch. He highly recommended that
this mod be done on a prophylactic basis. I've looked all over the
Elecraft site and can't find anything that even mentions the existence
of this kit, let alone a part number and ordering information. A web
search turns up a couple of hits that have a part number, but the
information is pretty old. Does anyone have any details on how this kit
can be ordered?

73...
Randy, W8FN

P.S.: I really enjoyed David's talk, especially the info on building and
testing the KPA1500
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[Paul Van Dyke]

The first thing I would have done if I would not have seen it on the page
at Elecraft, is to call the technical staff. I am glad to say we have a
great team that supports their entire line if we have a problem or
question. That includes Eric and Wayne as I've yet to see any other CEO of
any other major radio company come online and tell us what is going on, or
what other changes have been made

Paul Van Dyke - KB9AVO


On Mon, Jun 11, 2018, 8:29 PM Randy Farmer <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I had a chance for a nice visit with David Shoaf at the Elecraft booth
> at Ham-Com this weekend. In the course of the conversation, he mentioned
> the availability of a mod kit to change out Q5 on the LPF board to
> prevent PIN diode failure in the T/R switch. He highly recommended that
> this mod be done on a prophylactic basis. I've looked all over the
> Elecraft site and can't find anything that even mentions the existence
> of this kit, let alone a part number and ordering information. A web
> search turns up a couple of hits that have a part number, but the
> information is pretty old. Does anyone have any details on how this kit
> can be ordered?
>
> 73...
> Randy, W8FN
>
> P.S.: I really enjoyed David's talk, especially the info on building and
> testing the KPA1500
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
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> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

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[Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS]

Hi Randy,

look there on my blog for more info regarding the KPA500 modification.
http://ok1rp.blogspot.com/2017/02/elecraft-kpa500-lpf-tr-switch-rework.html

You do not need in fact the kit from Elecraft as you can buy the parts,
following my article mentioned above, by yourself.

Drop me an email if you want the send the Elecraft modification manual for
LPF T/R Switch Rework Rev. E in .pdf
Also I can help you with parts if you have problems to find them in local
store.

73 - Petr, OK1RP



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[Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS]

Randy,

also there I am sending the ordering number if you want to ask for kit at
Elecraft directly...
E850607

73 - Petr, OK1RP



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[Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS]

Hi,

upon some emails regarding this modification procedure steps I am sharing
this note also over here on the reflector. (I am sorry if its bothering for
someone...)

I am recommending after several mods done - when Q5 is removed > do not
install new BU931T back to its place for now. Go to another step > remove
R5.
After that step solder the new BU931T transistor to Q5 position and follow
another steps normally.

If you will do it according to Elecraft manual then you will find that there
is quite small space around and it is too narrow to put your soldering tip
in between big transistors to remove the R5... You are also in risky to
damage parts by hot tip.

I am planning to put attention to my blog and modify my article accordingly
over here:
http://ok1rp.blogspot.com/2017/02/elecraft-kpa500-lpf-tr-switch-rework.html

In case of troubles I can help with parts like transistors or other parts.
(I made this modification on several KPA500 for Elecrafters)

Hope it will help.





-----
73 - Petr, OK1RP
"Apples & Elecrafts freak"
http://ok1rp.blogspot.com
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[David F. Reed-2]

Sorry I missed it, but what is this mod for? Is it Elecraft approved?

Thanks & 73 de W5SV - Dave

> On Jul 10, 2018, at 06:02, Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> upon some emails regarding this modification procedure steps I am sharing
> this note also over here on the reflector. (I am sorry if its bothering for
> someone...)
>
> I am recommending after several mods done - when Q5 is removed > do not
> install new BU931T back to its place for now. Go to another step > remove
> R5.
> After that step solder the new BU931T transistor to Q5 position and follow
> another steps normally.
>
> If you will do it according to Elecraft manual then you will find that there
> is quite small space around and it is too narrow to put your soldering tip
> in between big transistors to remove the R5... You are also in risky to
> damage parts by hot tip.
>
> I am planning to put attention to my blog and modify my article accordingly
> over here:
> http://ok1rp.blogspot.com/2017/02/elecraft-kpa500-lpf-tr-switch-rework.html
>
> In case of troubles I can help with parts like transistors or other parts.
> (I made this modification on several KPA500 for Elecrafters)
>
> Hope it will help.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----
> 73 - Petr, OK1RP
> "Apples & Elecrafts freak"
> http://ok1rp.blogspot.com
> --
> Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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[markmusick]

Perhaps he was speaking of the 12 meter lowpass filter mod.
Some earlier KPA500s had a problem on 12 meters. Elecraft came out with a
mod you could perform yourself or send the amp in and they would do it for
you for free except you had to pay the shipping.
You didn't have to send the whole amp back. Just the RF module.
I have KPA500 serial #1523 and sent the RF module to Elecraft in July of
2014. It cost me $15.00 to ship the module. The invoice shows one hour of
labor at $99.00, but no charge to me. They shipped it back to me at their
expense.
I don't know if it was Elecraft policy to do the mod for free for everyone.
My amp was one of the T33A DXpedition amps. On the invoice it says T33A amp
upgrade.

73,
Mark, WB9CIF

-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On
Behalf Of David F. Reed
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2018 11:36 AM
To: Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Mod Kit?

Sorry I missed it, but what is this mod for? Is it Elecraft approved?

Thanks & 73 de W5SV - Dave

> On Jul 10, 2018, at 06:02, Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> upon some emails regarding this modification procedure steps I am
> sharing this note also over here on the reflector. (I am sorry if its
> bothering for
> someone...)
>
> I am recommending after several mods done - when Q5 is removed > do
> not install new BU931T back to its place for now. Go to another step >
> remove R5.
> After that step solder the new BU931T transistor to Q5 position and
> follow another steps normally.
>
> If you will do it according to Elecraft manual then you will find that
> there is quite small space around and it is too narrow to put your
> soldering tip in between big transistors to remove the R5... You are
> also in risky to damage parts by hot tip.
>
> I am planning to put attention to my blog and modify my article
> accordingly over here:
> http://ok1rp.blogspot.com/2017/02/elecraft-kpa500-lpf-tr-switch-rework
> .html
>
> In case of troubles I can help with parts like transistors or other parts.
> (I made this modification on several KPA500 for Elecrafters)
>
> Hope it will help.
>
>
>
>
>
> -----
> 73 - Petr, OK1RP
> "Apples & Elecrafts freak"
> http://ok1rp.blogspot.com
> --
> Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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[Petr, OK1RP/M0SIS]

Hi,

yes guys, it is exactly that "LPF T/R Switch Rework" mod...

Official and approved document is: Elecraft modification manual for LPF T/R
Switch Rework Rev. E
The necessary parts are achievable at DigiKey, Mouser etc. (see my article
on blog)
The ordering number if you want to ask for the kit at Elecraft directly is:
E850607
It is not necessary to ship the board to them for that kind of mod but if you are
not familiar with SMD parts and soldering station then I am highly recommending
to ask someone to do or send it to Elecraft for the mod.

Hope it helps,