Elecraft

KPA500 T/R Switch Failure

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John_N1JM

KPA500 T/R Switch Failure

Is this a widespread problem? Mine is okay now but I have heard there have been a few failures.

73,
John N1JM

David Bunte

Re: KPA500 T/R Switch Failure

John -

I am curious. Where did you hear of such failures, and under what circumstances? I have not heard of any.

Dave - K9FN
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Phil Wheeler-2

Re: KPA500 T/R Switch Failure

In reply to this post by John_N1JM

What makes you suggest that it is, John?

Phil w7ox

On 4/16/14, 9:59 AM, John_N1JM wrote:

> Is this a widespread problem? Mine is okay now but I have heard there have
> been a few failures.
>
> 73,
> John N1JM
>
>
>
> -----
> 73, John N1JM
> K3 #5986
> P3 #1752
> KPA500 #596
> KX3 #926
> XG3
> XG1

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Poul Erik Karlshøj (PKA)-2

Re: KPA500 T/R Switch Failure

My KPA500 T/R switch failed after two weeks of operation. Can not pinpoint any reason why it should fail. It was repaired by Elecraft under warranty in Italy and has now worked 10 weeks with no problem.

I now always check VSWR on K3 and on KPA with KPA in STBY whenever i operate on a new band and always have the KPA in STBY when I let the KAT500 tune. It is a bit cumbersome but really not a big deal.

I would be surprised if I were the only one having had a failing KPA500 T/R switch.

NB: Europeans sending their failed Elecraft gear for repair at the Elecraft associate in Italy must pay for the shipping BOTH ways. This is clearly poorer customer service than what Elecraft provided for its US customers.

73 de OZ4UN
Poul-Erik

Sendt fra min iPad

> Den 16/04/2014 kl. 19.43 skrev "Phil Wheeler" <[hidden email]>:
>
> What makes you suggest that it is, John?
>
> Phil w7ox
>
>> On 4/16/14, 9:59 AM, John_N1JM wrote:
>> Is this a widespread problem? Mine is okay now but I have heard there have
>> been a few failures3,
>> John N1JM
>>
>>
>>
>> -----
>> 73, John N1JM
>> K3 #5986
>> P3 #1752
>> KPA500 #596
>> KX3 #926
>> XG3
>> XG1
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Gary Gregory-2

Re: KPA500 T/R Switch Failure

In reply to this post by Phil Wheeler-2

Strange question, I have not seen or heard of such an issue or on this
reflector from memory.

Curious to hear what the replies are.

Gary

On 17 April 2014 03:43, Phil Wheeler <[hidden email]> wrote:

> What makes you suggest that it is, John?
>
> Phil w7ox
>
>
> On 4/16/14, 9:59 AM, John_N1JM wrote:
>
>> Is this a widespread problem? Mine is okay now but I have heard there have
>> been a few failures.
>>
>> 73,
>> John N1JM
>>
>>
>>
>> -----
>> 73, John N1JM
>> K3 #5986
>> P3 #1752
>> KPA500 #596
>> KX3 #926
>> XG3
>> XG1
>>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
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>

--

*Gary - VK1ZZ, K3NHLSkype: Gary.VK1ZZhttp://www.qsl.net/vk1zz
<http://www.qsl.net/vk1zz>Motorhome Portable*
*"Grumpy's House"*

*Elecraft K3KPA500FTKAT500FT*
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Roger Dallimore-2

Re: KPA500 T/R Switch Failure

In reply to this post by Poul Erik Karlshøj (PKA)-2

My KPA500 kit did not work from the get go, this was also due to a
faulty relay. The amp was repaired under warranty in Italy where I had
excellent support and communication but the postage was horrendous,
nearly £200, and it was sent without the transformer!

73
Roger MW0IDX

On 16/04/2014 20:34, Poul Erik Karlshøj (PKA) wrote:

> My KPA500 T/R switch failed after two weeks of operation. Can not pinpoint any reason why it should fail. It was repaired by Elecraft under warranty in Italy and has now worked 10 weeks with no problem.
>
> I now always check VSWR on K3 and on KPA with KPA in STBY whenever i operate on a new band and always have the KPA in STBY when I let the KAT500 tune. It is a bit cumbersome but really not a big deal.
>
> I would be surprised if I were the only one having had a failing KPA500 T/R switch.
>
> NB: Europeans sending their failed Elecraft gear for repair at the Elecraft associate in Italy must pay for the shipping BOTH ways. This is clearly poorer customer service than what Elecraft provided for its US customers.
>
> 73 de OZ4UN
> Poul-Erik
>

John_N1JM

Re: KPA500 T/R Switch Failure

In reply to this post by David Bunte

A friend in the Philippines KPA500 failed and he said that he heard others with early serial numbers had failed.

David Bunte wrote

John -

I am curious. Where did you hear of such failures, and under what circumstances? I have not heard of any.

Dave - K9FN
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