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KX3 - New 100 watt amp

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stan levandowski

KX3 - New 100 watt amp

The question, "...will it work with my K2...?" has not yet been
answered. I'd like to add, "will it work with my K3 and K1 also?"

Will it be the QRPers' ultimate dream - a single little amp sitting in
reserve for those poorer days (or longer ragchews) where a few more
watts makes the difference between continuing to operate or reading a
book.

Stan WB2LQF

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Alan Bloom

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

Eric or Wayne can give a definitive answer when they come up for air at
Dayton, but my understanding is it will work with any 10 watt radio.

Alan N1AL

On Thu, 2011-05-19 at 17:48 -0400, stan levandowski wrote:

> The question, "...will it work with my K2...?" has not yet been
> answered. I'd like to add, "will it work with my K3 and K1 also?"
>
> Will it be the QRPers' ultimate dream - a single little amp sitting in
> reserve for those poorer days (or longer ragchews) where a few more
> watts makes the difference between continuing to operate or reading a
> book.
>
> Stan WB2LQF
>
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Randy Moore

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

According to an e-mail from Wayne this morning: "100 W+ with new
high-performance external amp/ATU that works with most 5W to 10W rigs."

> On Thu, 2011-05-19 at 17:48 -0400, stan levandowski wrote:
> > The question, "...will it work with my K2...?" has not yet been
> > answered. I'd like to add, "will it work with my K3 and K1 also?"
> >
> > Will it be the QRPers' ultimate dream - a single little amp sitting in
> > reserve for those poorer days (or longer ragchews) where a few more
> > watts makes the difference between continuing to operate or reading a
> > book.
> >
> > Stan WB2LQF
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
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> >
>
>
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stan levandowski

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

In reply to this post by stan levandowski

Yes, Randy, but it's the word "most" that concerns me. I retired from
IBM and we bent over backward to avoid competing with our own products.
If the "new amp" will work with the K1, K2, and K3 (and maybe even the
3-4 watt KX1? at a lower drive level?) that would be a real "gift" to
the QRP customers, but could compromise sales of the Elecraft 100 watt
options as well as the KPA-500.

As a result of some posts here last week I was planning to order a
KPA-500 which I'd never be able to drive beyond about 100 watts. Now
I'm extremely interested in this 'new 100 watt amp, so thoughts of a
KPA-500 in the near future are held in abeyance.

In the end, I suppose it's all elementary anyway. There are 'other'
amps available at various power levels below and above 100 watts that
can be driven by 5-10 watts. Tokyo Hi Power has one. Plus, anyone can
buy the 100 watt K2 option and put it in a separate container, modify
the driving rig as necessary, and be on the air.

So another way for Elecraft to look at it is to make this 'new 100 watt
amp' work with ALL their QRP products as seamlessly as possible so guys
like me have an incentive to stay with the brand. In fact, if I were
Elecraft I would announce "option component packages" for immediate sale
to upgrade the KX1, K1, K2, and K3 (if necessary) for eventual addition
of the 'new 100 watt' amp.

Someone compared Elecraft to Apple. I think Elecraft is more like a bag
of potato chips. We get hooked and can't stop with just one!

73, Stan WB2LQF
KX1 #2411 K1#2994 K2# 6980 K3#5244 K9 #1 (Cocoa the
Chihuahua)
Everything is QRP, even the dog.

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 6:07 PM, Randy Moore wrote:

> According to an e-mail from Wayne this morning: "100 W+ with new
> high-performance external amp/ATU that works with most 5W to 10W
> rigs."
>
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Guy, K2AV

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 7:19 PM, stan levandowski <[hidden email]> wrote:
> Plus, anyone can
> buy the 100 watt K2 option and put it in a separate container, modify
> the driving rig as necessary, and be on the air.

Actually that is not true, as it requires the proprietary K2 auxbus
communication to work correctly. Without extreme mods, it only works
with a K2.

73, Guy
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Robert Friess

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

The new KXPA100 will work with any radio that provides 5 watts of RF and a
Key out line. It does not require AuxBuss.

Bob, N6CM

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 5:13 PM, Guy Olinger K2AV <[hidden email]>wrote:

> On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 7:19 PM, stan levandowski <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> > Plus, anyone can
> > buy the 100 watt K2 option and put it in a separate container, modify
> > the driving rig as necessary, and be on the air.
>
> Actually that is not true, as it requires the proprietary K2 auxbus
> communication to work correctly. Without extreme mods, it only works
> with a K2.
>
> 73, Guy
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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stan levandowski

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

In reply to this post by stan levandowski

Bob, is "KXPA100" the product name of the "new 100 watt amp"? Or, did
you mean to clarify the KPA100 option to the K2 and inserted the "X" by
mistake?

Stan WB2LQF

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 8:32 PM, Robert Friess wrote:

The new KXPA100 will work with any radio that provides 5 watts of RF
and a Key out line. It does not require AuxBuss.

Bob, N6CM
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Robert Friess

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

Yes, the new amplifier is the KXPA100.

Bob

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 6:10 PM, stan levandowski <[hidden email]>wrote:

> Bob, is "KXPA100" the product name of the "new 100 watt amp"? Or, did you
> mean to clarify the KPA100 option to the K2 and inserted the "X" by
> mistake?
>
> Stan WB2LQF
>
>
> On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 8:32 PM, Robert Friess wrote:
>
> The new KXPA100 will work with any radio that provides 5 watts of RF and
> a Key out line. It does not require AuxBuss.
>
> Bob, N6CM
>
>

Robert Friess

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

In reply to this post by stan levandowski

Stan,,

An amplifier needs some means of knowing when to switch from receive mode to
transmit mode. This is almost universally accomplished by providing a
connection which when pulled to ground causes the amplifier to switch modes.
This is usually labeled "Key In". Most transceivers provide a contact
closure or a transistor switch to control this key line. It will usually be
labeled "Key Out" The KX1 does not provide a Key Out connection and would
have be modified to provide the necessary function.

The KXPA100 is a linear amplifier and will work very well at 3.8 watts or
any other lower drive power. The output power will be approximately 20
times (13 dB Gain) the input power up to 100 watts output.

73,

Bob, N6CM

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 6:21 PM, stan levandowski <[hidden email]>wrote:

> Bob, what do you mean by "key out" line? I have never owned an amplifier
> so I'm not familiar with that term in that context. Also, is 5 watts the
> drive level required to get 100 watts output or is 5 watts the "minimum"
> drive requirement. In other words, would the KX1 at 3.8 watts work also?
>
> You sound like you might work for Elecraft?
>
> If I can buy the KXPA100 and use it with all my Elecraft rigs, it would be
> the greatest! Sounds like that might be at least 75% true.
>
> Thanks, stan.
>
>
> On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 9:14 PM, Robert Friess wrote:
>
> Yes, the new amplifier is the KXPA100.
>
> Bob
>
> On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 6:10 PM, stan levandowski < *[hidden email]*>
> wrote:
> Bob, is "KXPA100" the product name of the "new 100 watt amp"? Or, did you
> mean to clarify the KPA100 option to the K2 and inserted the "X" by
> mistake?
>
> Stan WB2LQF
>
>
> On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 8:32 PM, Robert Friess wrote:
>
> The new KXPA100 will work with any radio that provides 5 watts of RF and
> a Key out line. It does not require AuxBuss.
>
> Bob, N6CM
>
>
>

Robert Friess

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

In reply to this post by Robert Friess

Both the KX3 and KXPA100 provide optional internal ATUs.

Bob, N6CM

On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 6:23 PM, AB8XA <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Do both it and the KX3 have internal tuners... for using the latter without
> the former?
>
> --
> Moe - AB8XA
> Elecraft KX1 #2484, Fists #13020, SKCC #7460,
> FPQRP #2617, NAQCC #5352, QRP-ARCI #14326
>
>
>
>
> On May 19, 2011, at 9:14 PM, Robert Friess wrote:
>
> > Yes, the new amplifier is the KXPA100.
> >
> > Bob
> >
> > On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 6:10 PM, stan levandowski <[hidden email]
> >wrote:
> >
> >> Bob, is "KXPA100" the product name of the "new 100 watt amp"? Or, did
> you
> >> mean to clarify the KPA100 option to the K2 and inserted the "X" by
> >> mistake?
> >>
> >> Stan WB2LQF
> >>
> >>
> >> On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 8:32 PM, Robert Friess wrote:
> >>
> >> The new KXPA100 will work with any radio that provides 5 watts of RF and
> >> a Key out line. It does not require AuxBuss.
> >>
> >> Bob, N6CM
> >>
> >>
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
>
>

Bill Hammond

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

In reply to this post by stan levandowski

Hmm, key line out...I don't think the KX1 or K1 have that...mod time :)

On May 19, 2011, at 8:10 PM, stan levandowski wrote:

>
> Bob, is "KXPA100" the product name of the "new 100 watt amp"? Or, did
> you mean to clarify the KPA100 option to the K2 and inserted the "X" by
> mistake?
>
> Stan WB2LQF
>
> On Thu, May 19, 2011 at 8:32 PM, Robert Friess wrote:
>
> The new KXPA100 will work with any radio that provides 5 watts of RF
> and a Key out line. It does not require AuxBuss.
>
> Bob, N6CM
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

Edward R Cole

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

In reply to this post by stan levandowski

I would probably be interested in this since I bought the K3/10
except that I have already bought an EB-27 kit for a 18w/300w PA from CCI.
http://www.communication-concepts.com/appnotes/EB27A300Sharp.pdf

With 12w drive it will likely only reach 200w output, but my K3/10
has 16w output up to 15m; 8w 10/6m. I will try driving the EB-27
with the barefoot K3/10 to start with, but am looking at getting the
TAPR Pennywhistle amplifier kit 20w HF/6m. It will only require
about 1w from the K3 on all frequencies. Will I save anything over a
KPA-100? Maybe not. Wonder how the new 100w amp will be priced
compared to the KPA-100?

For those that are curious: The EB-27 cost me $127; transistors
$105; misc parts $150. The Pennywhistle is $77+shipping. Total approx. $400.

I already bought a used Mirage A-1015G 10w/150w 6m amp. So I will
have 300w HF and 150w 6m vs. 100w HF/6m. Kind of a poor-man's
KPA-500. OK, not really comparable.

73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-testing*, 3400-?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
======================================
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AC7AC

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

CONTENTS DELETED

The author has deleted this message.

Edward R Cole

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

In reply to this post by stan levandowski

Although I enjoy building (obviously), it was cost that made my
decision to buy the k3/10 vs. K3/100. Then I discovered the CCI amp
and that sealed my decision. I will have a 300w amp for less than
the cost of the KPA-100.

It will not have auto-band changing and other niceties, just a brick
amp. I have a source for LP filters to add for all HF bands.

I have not given up my thoughts of selling these assembled (or in
other words assembling them for others). I would add a
nice enclosure, metering, and band selection control, so there would
be some enhancement of the basic kit. I will not make any decision
until I build one for myself and test it.

73, Ed

------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 13:36:35 -0700
From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - New 100 watt amp
To: <[hidden email]>
Message-ID: <001201cc172d$9cf2b260$d6d81720$@biz>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

The CCI components are very attractive. Before the KPA100 was released,
several K2 owners reported good results with them. While many Hams today
find their passion in hitting the top of the contest or DX lists, there are
still a lot of us "home-brewers" who are equally passionate about cobbling
together a bunch of parts to create a rig we enjoy operating.

And, in the case of an amplifier, we home-brewers don't have the gain
limitations and FCC approval requirements those who manufacture amps or kits
for sale must meet.

I've never owned a factory-built rig (although the K3 is *awfully* close!),
and I've never built a rig to save money.

For me, buying a factory-assembled rig would be like buying a jig-saw puzzle
fully assembled and framed - it would miss the point of being a Ham for me,
Hi!

Ron AC7AC

73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-testing*, 3400-?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
======================================
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Merv Schweigert

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

Seems it would not be difficult to make a auto band switching amp from
that,
relays for each band to swtich the LP filters driven by the K3 band
outputs,
at that power level relays are cheap, like the ones used in the AD5X
ALS-600 QSK conversion. cheap and handle the power easily. Make up
a circuit board and an enclosure for the amp, really nice set up.
Another nice thing is that you can drive it with almost no power, not
being
limited by FCC regs (unless you sell them built) you can even drive
something
like a 4 MRF-150 amp with less than 10 watts to 600 output.
73 Merv

> Although I enjoy building (obviously), it was cost that made my
> decision to buy the k3/10 vs. K3/100. Then I discovered the CCI amp
> and that sealed my decision. I will have a 300w amp for less than
> the cost of the KPA-100.
>
> It will not have auto-band changing and other niceties, just a brick
> amp. I have a source for LP filters to add for all HF bands.
>
> I have not given up my thoughts of selling these assembled (or in
> other words assembling them for others). I would add a
> nice enclosure, metering, and band selection control, so there would
> be some enhancement of the basic kit. I will not make any decision
> until I build one for myself and test it.
>
> 73, Ed
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------
> Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 13:36:35 -0700
> From: "Ron D'Eau Claire"<[hidden email]>
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - New 100 watt amp
> To:<[hidden email]>
> Message-ID:<001201cc172d$9cf2b260$d6d81720$@biz>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> The CCI components are very attractive. Before the KPA100 was released,
> several K2 owners reported good results with them. While many Hams today
> find their passion in hitting the top of the contest or DX lists, there are
> still a lot of us "home-brewers" who are equally passionate about cobbling
> together a bunch of parts to create a rig we enjoy operating.
>
> And, in the case of an amplifier, we home-brewers don't have the gain
> limitations and FCC approval requirements those who manufacture amps or kits
> for sale must meet.
>
> I've never owned a factory-built rig (although the K3 is *awfully* close!),
> and I've never built a rig to save money.
>
> For me, buying a factory-assembled rig would be like buying a jig-saw puzzle
> fully assembled and framed - it would miss the point of being a Ham for me,
> Hi!
>
> Ron AC7AC
>
>
>
>
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
> ======================================
> BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
> EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-testing*, 3400-?
> DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
> ======================================
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>

Edward R Cole

Re: KX3 - New 100 watt amp

In reply to this post by stan levandowski

Merv,

Yes, I could use the BAND0-3 lines from the ACC connector on the K3
to control band changing (filters). Not that hard to do if the
relays are rated for the 300w power level.

I think I can sidestep the FCC regs by providing an "assembly
service" of the established kits from CCI. Or I could just bundle it
all as a kit, of course. I am not considering a complete ground-up
design of my own, more of an enhancement of the CCI kit.

This is all very premature thinking as I am building the kit for my
personal use and it was an afterthought that others might be
interested in the amp as a low-cost step above 10w but not all the
way to 500w. I am not thinking of a major production of these - more
a small niche business by which I might self-fund my
hobby. Definitely, a zero-inventory approach where I would build on-demand.

The KPA-100 and KPXA-100 may be too attractive for there even to be a
market. But no harm there as I will not be making a major investment.

I had originally been thinking of building a HF/6m 8877 amp but this
would require 60w to drive. I have a 2m-8877 so the HV and grid-bias
ckts are already done and could be switched between 2m and HF. But I
really do not need QRO for HF; 200-300w will be enough. The final
thing that killed the 8877 project is I have acquired a Harris
Platinum 1100w 6m sspa so there is no motivation for making a 6m-8877.

Let me end this by saying this is all speculative. I need to build
my personal EB-27 CCI amp kit and see how it works out, first. It
might be a prototype and then it might be one of a kind!

I hope to find time to build the kit before fall. Right now I am
loaded with other projects that probably will extend into July.

73, Ed - KL7UW

------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Sat, 21 May 2011 07:08:29 -1000
From: Merv Schweigert <[hidden email]>
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KX3 - New 100 watt amp
To: [hidden email]
Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Seems it would not be difficult to make a auto band switching amp from
that,
relays for each band to swtich the LP filters driven by the K3 band
outputs,
at that power level relays are cheap, like the ones used in the AD5X
ALS-600 QSK conversion. cheap and handle the power easily. Make up
a circuit board and an enclosure for the amp, really nice set up.
Another nice thing is that you can drive it with almost no power, not
being
limited by FCC regs (unless you sell them built) you can even drive
something
like a 4 MRF-150 amp with less than 10 watts to 600 output.
73 Merv

73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com
EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-testing*, 3400-?
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [hidden email]
======================================
______________________________________________________________
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