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KX2 Amp Hours

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Erik Tkal

KX2 Amp Hours

Just got a KX2 last week and I’m loving it! I have a KX3 which I’m using as my base station (also have a FTdx3000 which is in storage for a while for an upcoming house move transition), but the KX2 will be my new mobile device.

It appears that the KX2 Amp Hours measurement applies to the radio as a whole, independent of internal vs external power supply. It would be *really* nice if this could be configured to only increment when using the internal battery, as that is the best indicator as to whether it needs charging or not. Yes, the voltage is applicable, but the overall usage over time is certainly a better indicator.

Just a suggestion… :-)

Thanks and 73,
Erik Tkal - W1QED

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Don Wilhelm

Re: KX2 Amp Hours

Erik,

While that may be a good idea, I do not think the KX2 has any means of
determining whether it is being powered by the internal battery or an
external source.

Perhaps you should confine the use of the Amp Hours measurement to times
when you are running on a battery supply - whether that supply is
internal or external.
For use when running off a shack power supply, the measurement is not
meaningful.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/12/2016 6:44 PM, E T wrote:
> Just got a KX2 last week and I’m loving it! I have a KX3 which I’m using as my base station (also have a FTdx3000 which is in storage for a while for an upcoming house move transition), but the KX2 will be my new mobile device.
>
> It appears that the KX2 Amp Hours measurement applies to the radio as a whole, independent of internal vs external power supply. It would be *really* nice if this could be configured to only increment when using the internal battery, as that is the best indicator as to whether it needs charging or not. Yes, the voltage is applicable, but the overall usage over time is certainly a better indicator.
>
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Erik Tkal

Re: KX2 Amp Hours

Hi Don,

Actually, I think it does have the capability to determine which supply is in use, since it explicitly chooses the higher voltage for operation. So in the software it would be possible to not accrue Amp Hours when not using the internal battery. :-)

Thanks and 73,
Erik Tkal - W1QED

> On Dec 12, 2016, at 7:12 PM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Erik,
>
> While that may be a good idea, I do not think the KX2 has any means of determining whether it is being powered by the internal battery or an external source.
>
> Perhaps you should confine the use of the Amp Hours measurement to times when you are running on a battery supply - whether that supply is internal or external.
> For use when running off a shack power supply, the measurement is not meaningful.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 12/12/2016 6:44 PM, E T wrote:
>> Just got a KX2 last week and I’m loving it! I have a KX3 which I’m using as my base station (also have a FTdx3000 which is in storage for a while for an upcoming house move transition), but the KX2 will be my new mobile device.
>>
>> It appears that the KX2 Amp Hours measurement applies to the radio as a whole, independent of internal vs external power supply. It would be *really* nice if this could be configured to only increment when using the internal battery, as that is the best indicator as to whether it needs charging or not. Yes, the voltage is applicable, but the overall usage over time is certainly a better indicator.
>>

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Don Wilhelm

Re: KX2 Amp Hours

Erik,

That "choice" is a simple matter of the two reverse voltage protection
diodes (one on each supply input). The higher voltage will prevail, no
switching or additional sensing is necessary. That same condition exists
on the KX1, KX3 and KX2.
Much more complicated circuitry would be required to determine which
supply is providing the voltage.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 12/12/2016 7:34 PM, E T wrote:
> Hi Don,
>
> Actually, I think it does have the capability to determine which
> supply is in use, since it explicitly chooses the higher voltage for
> operation. So in the software it would be possible to not accrue Amp
> Hours when not using the internal battery. :-)
>

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John W2XS

Re: KX2 Amp Hours

In reply to this post by Erik Tkal

I received my KX2 last week, and had the exact same thought about the amp-hours display. I used it on batteries for a while but then operated the 10m ARRL test with the power supply and the amp hours kept ticking along. A menu option to manually "suspend" the amp hours display whenever the power supply is used would be a nice thing to have.

I also really love the KX2 and think that it is a real winner. I had little to no trouble working any station that I could hear on 10m this weekend. I also made QSOs on all bands from 80 to 10 just to check things out. The rig is very smooth and precise, and the KXPD2 has a surprisingly nice feel to it.

Who will be the first user to bypass the input filters to restore the sensitivity on the AM BCB? hi hi (But I do a lot of BCB listening on my K3 via the RX ant input).

72, John W2XS

John AE5X

Re: KX2 Amp Hours

In reply to this post by Erik Tkal

I disagree - some of us use rechargeable batteries both internally and externally. And sometimes both at the same time.

John AE5X
http://ae5x.blogspot.com/
__________________________
It would be *really* nice if this could be configured to only increment when using the internal battery, as that is the best indicator as to whether it needs charging or not.

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Erik Tkal

Re: KX2 Amp Hours

Which is why I suggested it be configurable. :-)

Thanks and 73,
Erik Tkal - W1QED

> On Dec 13, 2016, at 1:53 PM, John AE5X <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I disagree - some of us use rechargeable batteries both internally and externally. And sometimes both at the same time.
>
> John AE5X
> http://ae5x.blogspot.com/
> __________________________
> It would be *really* nice if this could be configured to only increment when using the internal battery, as that is the best indicator as to whether it needs charging or not.
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> Finally a Cheap Way to Track Your Car
> Smarter Life Advice
> http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/585043db46ab043db4e93st01vuc
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
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