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KPA500

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Phil LaMarche-2

KPA500

I know this is a simple statement, but, I love changing bands from the 500
instead the K3. Much faster. This amplifier is so sweet. 35 watts drives
to a full 500.

Phil

Philip LaMarche

LaMarche Enterprises, Inc

<mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email]

<http://www.lamarcheenterprises.com/> www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com

727-944-3226

727-937-8834 Fax

727-510-5038 Cell

<http://www.w9dvm.com/> www.w9dvm.com

K3 # 1605

KPA500 # 029

CCA 98-00827

CRA 1701

W9DVM

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Nels Anderson

Re: KPA500

I agree, the band switch buttons are very handy--love them.

However did you see my post about the software bug related to power
level/band switching?

On mine I find 35 watts to be way too much drive...seems like 26 or 27
is all it takes for full power.

73 Nels K1UR

On 5/18/2011 3:23 PM, Phil LaMarche wrote:

> I know this is a simple statement, but, I love changing bands from the 500
> instead the K3. Much faster. This amplifier is so sweet. 35 watts drives
> to a full 500.
>
>
>
> Phil
>
>
>
> Philip LaMarche
>
>
>
> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
>
>
>
> <mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email]
>
> <http://www.lamarcheenterprises.com/> www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com
>
>
>
> 727-944-3226
>
> 727-937-8834 Fax
>
> 727-510-5038 Cell
>
> <http://www.w9dvm.com/> www.w9dvm.com
>
> K3 # 1605
>
> KPA500 # 029
>
>
>
> CCA 98-00827
>
> CRA 1701
>
> W9DVM
>
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

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Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: KPA500

Administrator

That is actially intended and was part of the request for this option. Several FTs asked us to add a menu enabled feature where the rig dropped into stand-by on a band change, so that they could then retune their manual ATU. This allowed them to avoid faulting the amp if they forgot to do so. Leaving it at low power was desired for ATU tuning.

73,
Eric WA6HHQ
at 35,000 ft on the way to Dayton.

www.elecraft.com
_..._

On May 18, 2011, at 4:38 PM, Nels Anderson <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I agree, the band switch buttons are very handy--love them.
>
> However did you see my post about the software bug related to power
> level/band switching?
>
> On mine I find 35 watts to be way too much drive...seems like 26 or 27
> is all it takes for full power.
>
> 73 Nels K1UR
>
> On 5/18/2011 3:23 PM, Phil LaMarche wrote:
>> I know this is a simple statement, but, I love changing bands from the 500
>> instead the K3. Much faster. This amplifier is so sweet. 35 watts drives
>> to a full 500.
>>
>>
>>
>> Phil
>>
>>
>>
>> Philip LaMarche
>>
>>
>>
>> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
>>
>>
>>
>> <mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email]
>>
>> <http://www.lamarcheenterprises.com/> www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com
>>
>>
>>
>> 727-944-3226
>>
>> 727-937-8834 Fax
>>
>> 727-510-5038 Cell
>>
>> <http://www.w9dvm.com/> www.w9dvm.com
>>
>> K3 # 1605
>>
>> KPA500 # 029
>>
>>
>>
>> CCA 98-00827
>>
>> CRA 1701
>>
>> W9DVM
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Nels Anderson

Re: KPA500

That was intended? It still strikes me as broken. I have a K3 that
thinks the amp is enabled and has its power set as such, and I have an
amp that is offline. So the K3 and KPA500 states are now out of sync.

I too want the amp to drop into standby when I switch bands, and I then
use the tune button to put out about 20w and make the autotuner do its
thing. But after that is done, I don't necessarily want to engage the
amp, so I want the K3 to now be set to the non-amp power level. As it is
now, if I change bands and want to leave the amp off I have to make the
band change, and then press the amp engage button twice to get the rig
and amp back in sync.

Why are others using the rig as you describe instead of using the tune
button?

73 Nels K1UR

On 5/18/2011 4:53 PM, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft wrote:

> That is actially intended and was part of the request for this option. Several FTs asked us to add a menu enabled feature where the rig dropped into stand-by on a band change, so that they could then retune their manual ATU. This allowed them to avoid faulting the amp if they forgot to do so. Leaving it at low power was desired for ATU tuning.
>
> 73,
> Eric WA6HHQ
> at 35,000 ft on the way to Dayton.
>
> www.elecraft.com
> _..._
>
>
>
> On May 18, 2011, at 4:38 PM, Nels Anderson<[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I agree, the band switch buttons are very handy--love them.
>>
>> However did you see my post about the software bug related to power
>> level/band switching?
>>
>> On mine I find 35 watts to be way too much drive...seems like 26 or 27
>> is all it takes for full power.
>>
>> 73 Nels K1UR
>>
>> On 5/18/2011 3:23 PM, Phil LaMarche wrote:
>>> I know this is a simple statement, but, I love changing bands from the 500
>>> instead the K3. Much faster. This amplifier is so sweet. 35 watts drives
>>> to a full 500.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Phil
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Philip LaMarche
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> <mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email]
>>>
>>> <http://www.lamarcheenterprises.com/> www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> 727-944-3226
>>>
>>> 727-937-8834 Fax
>>>
>>> 727-510-5038 Cell
>>>
>>> <http://www.w9dvm.com/> www.w9dvm.com
>>>
>>> K3 # 1605
>>>
>>> KPA500 # 029
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> CCA 98-00827
>>>
>>> CRA 1701
>>>
>>> W9DVM
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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

ab2tc

Re: KPA500

In reply to this post by Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Hi,

I am starting to drool about the KPA500. Let me get one thing straight: When the KPA500 is in Standby as indicated by the STBY LED lit it will stay in standby regardless of the key line output of the K3, right (either one, the one on the AUX output or the separate RCA jack)? So I can put the KPA500 in standby, hold TUNE on the K3 to generate my usual 15W of tuning power and tune my remotely located antenna tuner with the KPA500 staying in standby, right? I should not have to cut the key line or insert the key line interrupter to do this, right? Sorry if I am dense, but I have never owned an amplifier.

AB2TC - Knut

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote

That is actially intended and was part of the request for this option. Several FTs asked us to add a menu enabled feature where the rig dropped into stand-by on a band change, so that they could then retune their manual ATU. This allowed them to avoid faulting the amp if they forgot to do so. Leaving it at low power was desired for ATU tuning.

73,
Eric WA6HHQ
at 35,000 ft on the way to Dayton.

www.elecraft.com
_..._

<snip>

Robert Friess

Re: KPA500

Hi Knut,

That is correct. When in STBY, the KPA500 input signal is routed directly
to the KPA500 bypassing the amplifier. This is unchanged by the state of
the Key Line.

Bob, N6CM

On Wed, May 18, 2011 at 2:35 PM, ab2tc <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am starting to drool about the KPA500. Let me get one thing straight:
> When
> the KPA500 is in Standby as indicated by the STBY LED lit it will stay in
> standby regardless of the key line output of the K3, right (either one, the
> one on the AUX output or the separate RCA jack)? So I can put the KPA500 in
> standby, hold TUNE on the K3 to generate my usual 15W of tuning power and
> tune my remotely located antenna tuner with the KPA500 staying in standby,
> right? I should not have to cut the key line or insert the key line
> interrupter to do this, right? Sorry if I am dense, but I have never owned
> an amplifier.
>
> AB2TC - Knut
>
>
> Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft wrote:
> >
> > That is actially intended and was part of the request for this option.
> > Several FTs asked us to add a menu enabled feature where the rig dropped
> > into stand-by on a band change, so that they could then retune their
> > manual ATU. This allowed them to avoid faulting the amp if they forgot to
> > do so. Leaving it at low power was desired for ATU tuning.
> >
> > 73,
> > Eric WA6HHQ
> > at 35,000 ft on the way to Dayton.
> >
> > www.elecraft.com
> > _..._
> >
> > <snip>
> >
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-tp6379118p6379625.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ

Re: KPA500

Administrator

In reply to this post by ab2tc

Correct.

73,
Eric

www.elecraft.com
_..._

On May 18, 2011, at 5:35 PM, ab2tc <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I am starting to drool about the KPA500. Let me get one thing straight: When
> the KPA500 is in Standby as indicated by the STBY LED lit it will stay in
> standby regardless of the key line output of the K3, right (either one, the
> one on the AUX output or the separate RCA jack)? So I can put the KPA500 in
> standby, hold TUNE on the K3 to generate my usual 15W of tuning power and
> tune my remotely located antenna tuner with the KPA500 staying in standby,
> right? I should not have to cut the key line or insert the key line
> interrupter to do this, right? Sorry if I am dense, but I have never owned
> an amplifier.
>
> AB2TC - Knut
>

Nels Anderson

Re: KPA500

In reply to this post by Nels Anderson

No, that is not my example at all. I am also tuning a remote tuner that
comes in line after the KPA500. If I did not have a tuner at that point
I could not use the KPA500. I am no longer using the K3's internal tuner
now that I have the KPA500. So my situation is exactly the same as the
other people you describe.

My typical operating practice is not to use the amplifier unless it is
necessary. When I change bands I want to adjust the antenna tuner and
then operate the K3 barefoot at 100w until I decide I need to use the
amp. What happens now is that changing bands causes the K3 to be set to
the 30w lower power setting intended to drive the amp. If I then change
the K3's power setting to 100w the next time I enable the amp I'll be
(over)driving it at 100w.

If we're going to have an aux cable that allow the K3 and KPA500 to
communicate then the two should be kept in sync. If the KPA500 is
offline then the K3 should be set to high power; if the KPA500 is
engaged the K3 should be set to low power. As it is now, changing bands
causes the two units to be out of sync with each other. I just cannot
see how that makes sense.

It's not a matter of laziness; I have two different tube rigs in my
shack, a tube amp and a manual antenna tuner and I can and do use all of
them. But when you have things like the K3 and KPA500 that are meant to
work as a system then they should do just that.

73 de K1UR

On 5/19/2011 1:02 AM, Bob wrote:

> Hi Nels,
>
> In your example the tuner is in the K3 and tuning the K3
> to the antenna. The situation
> others are in is using a tuner on the output of the amp to match the
> amp out to the antenna
> and want to tune the external tuner before applying power from the amp.
>
> Also using the built in K3 tuner is useful in matching
> the input to amps that do not
> have a tuned input such as some Ameritrons or Clippertons. So possible
> usages are:
>
> K3 with internal tuner to antenna
> K3 no internal tuner used and external manual tuner
> K3 with tuner matching amp input, amp matched to antenna with external
> tuner.
>
> There is no perfect state for everyone. I think your way
> has merit too but maybe that
> could be obtained in another manner if programmed. The amp could
> actually have 3 states,
> operating, standby, and off. The K3 reverting to full bore tuned 100w
> with the amp in full off.
>
> Also more full automation is possible when the anticipated
> auto high power ant tuner
> is available.
>
> Boy we are all getting lazy, and that includes me. Used
> to be, tune the radio, tune
> input and output of amp, tune ant tuner. And now we want to reduce
> button pushes.
>
> 73,
> Bob
> K2TK ex KN2TKR (1956) & K2TKR
>
>
> On 5/18/2011 5:32 PM, Nels Anderson wrote:
>> That was intended? It still strikes me as broken. I have a K3 that
>> thinks the amp is enabled and has its power set as such, and I have an
>> amp that is offline. So the K3 and KPA500 states are now out of sync.
>>
>> I too want the amp to drop into standby when I switch bands, and I then
>> use the tune button to put out about 20w and make the autotuner do its
>> thing. But after that is done, I don't necessarily want to engage the
>> amp, so I want the K3 to now be set to the non-amp power level. As it is
>> now, if I change bands and want to leave the amp off I have to make the
>> band change, and then press the amp engage button twice to get the rig
>> and amp back in sync.
>>
>> Why are others using the rig as you describe instead of using the tune
>> button?
>>
>> 73 Nels K1UR
>>
>>
>> On 5/18/2011 4:53 PM, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft wrote:
>>> That is actially intended and was part of the request for this
>>> option. Several FTs asked us to add a menu enabled feature where the
>>> rig dropped into stand-by on a band change, so that they could then
>>> retune their manual ATU. This allowed them to avoid faulting the amp
>>> if they forgot to do so. Leaving it at low power was desired for ATU
>>> tuning.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Eric WA6HHQ
>>> at 35,000 ft on the way to Dayton.
>>>
>>> www.elecraft.com
>>> _..._
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On May 18, 2011, at 4:38 PM, Nels Anderson<[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I agree, the band switch buttons are very handy--love them.
>>>>
>>>> However did you see my post about the software bug related to power
>>>> level/band switching?
>>>>
>>>> On mine I find 35 watts to be way too much drive...seems like 26 or 27
>>>> is all it takes for full power.
>>>>
>>>> 73 Nels K1UR
>>>>
>>>> On 5/18/2011 3:23 PM, Phil LaMarche wrote:
>>>>> I know this is a simple statement, but, I love changing bands from
>>>>> the 500
>>>>> instead the K3. Much faster. This amplifier is so sweet. 35
>>>>> watts drives
>>>>> to a full 500.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Phil
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Philip LaMarche
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> <mailto:[hidden email]> [hidden email]
>>>>>
>>>>> <http://www.lamarcheenterprises.com/> www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 727-944-3226
>>>>>
>>>>> 727-937-8834 Fax
>>>>>
>>>>> 727-510-5038 Cell
>>>>>
>>>>> <http://www.w9dvm.com/> www.w9dvm.com
>>>>>
>>>>> K3 # 1605
>>>>>
>>>>> KPA500 # 029
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> CCA 98-00827
>>>>>
>>>>> CRA 1701
>>>>>
>>>>> W9DVM