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KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

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Irwin KD3TB

KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

I am curious to others experience with the KPA500 in a RTTY Contest. What
is the power level that others have used, fan levels and long term affect
on the power transistors?

I ask, as so far I have run the amp at no more than 300 watts with the fans
at there highest level. I do not want to harm the power transistors.

Thanks, Irwin KD3TB

--
Irwin KD3TB
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k6mrmagnet

Re: KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

I run both of mine full power on RTTY. Fans occasionally come on full speed (control on Auto) but my amps are in a closet (not on the desk) so the noise is not an issue..

I believe the spec is 10 min on, 5 min off at full power. The amp is well protected against temp and swr so I wouldn’t worry.

Ken K6MR

From: Irwin Darack<mailto:[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 14:15
To: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>
Subject: [Elecraft] KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

I am curious to others experience with the KPA500 in a RTTY Contest. What
is the power level that others have used, fan levels and long term affect
on the power transistors?

I ask, as so far I have run the amp at no more than 300 watts with the fans
at there highest level. I do not want to harm the power transistors.

Thanks, Irwin KD3TB

--
Irwin KD3TB
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

In reply to this post by Irwin KD3TB

The most destructive element to all solid state devices is......... HEAT!

The KPA500 seems well protected and will drop off line if the
temperature exceeds a preset level. My only concern regarding pushing
an amp like this or any other solid state amp to near rated values, same
for near maximum heat values, what happens if the protection circuit
fails? Hopefully the software will recognize a protective circuit
failure and shut the amp down.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 1/27/2016 4:14 PM, Irwin Darack wrote:

> I am curious to others experience with the KPA500 in a RTTY Contest. What
> is the power level that others have used, fan levels and long term affect
> on the power transistors?
>
> I ask, as so far I have run the amp at no more than 300 watts with the fans
> at there highest level. I do not want to harm the power transistors.
>
> Thanks, Irwin KD3TB
>
>

k6mrmagnet

Re: KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

In reply to this post by Irwin KD3TB

I monitor mine with the remote program which shows temp on screen. When the fans go to high speed the temp drops very quickly. The thermal design appears to have plenty of reserve capability. I think the temp cut off is 90C. I’ve never seen mine go above 73C.

Ken K6MR

From: Bob McGraw K4TAX<mailto:[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 16:48
To: [hidden email]<mailto:[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

The most destructive element to all solid state devices is......... HEAT!

The KPA500 seems well protected and will drop off line if the
temperature exceeds a preset level. My only concern regarding pushing
an amp like this or any other solid state amp to near rated values, same
for near maximum heat values, what happens if the protection circuit
fails? Hopefully the software will recognize a protective circuit
failure and shut the amp down.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 1/27/2016 4:14 PM, Irwin Darack wrote:

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

OOPS ...... I forgot my Periodic table. Heat is not an element. But
the same thing applies.

73
Bob, K4TAX

On 1/27/2016 6:47 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:

> The most destructive element to all solid state devices is......... HEAT!
>
> The KPA500 seems well protected and will drop off line if the
> temperature exceeds a preset level. My only concern regarding
> pushing an amp like this or any other solid state amp to near rated
> values, same for near maximum heat values, what happens if the
> protection circuit fails? Hopefully the software will recognize a
> protective circuit failure and shut the amp down.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX

Irwin KD3TB

Re: KPA500 in RTTY Contesting

Thanks to everyone regarding their comments on the KPA500 and RTTY
contesting.

Irwin KD3TB

On Wednesday, January 27, 2016, Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> OOPS ...... I forgot my Periodic table. Heat is not an element. But the
> same thing applies.
>
> 73
> Bob, K4TAX
>
> On 1/27/2016 6:47 PM, Bob McGraw K4TAX wrote:
>
>> The most destructive element to all solid state devices is......... HEAT!
>>
>> The KPA500 seems well protected and will drop off line if the temperature
>> exceeds a preset level. My only concern regarding pushing an amp like
>> this or any other solid state amp to near rated values, same for near
>> maximum heat values, what happens if the protection circuit fails?
>> Hopefully the software will recognize a protective circuit failure and
>> shut the amp down.
>>
>> 73
>> Bob, K4TAX
>>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

--
Irwin KD3TB
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