[KX3] Solid state amps and KX3 negative ALC

[Keith Heimbold]

Please excuse me for my newbieness in asking this question but it has been on my mind for awhile now.  I am the proud owner of KX3 847 and am curious about the need for Negative ALC capability and interface for the KX3 as I connect it to my solid state amplifiers.

I have been looking at the manual and thinking about interfacing the KX3 with my two solid state amplifiers, THP HL450 and the yaesu Quadra. Both recommend use of negative ALC connection from the transceiver.  For my K3, the negative ALC mod satisfies the Quadra in this respect.

I am looking for reference of negative ALC for the KX3 and cannot seem to locate such a capability and interface. If it is in the manual my apologies for taking up reflector space please let me know which page I am overlooking. If not, then my assumption is that because of the low level of power output 12W max, it was deemed not necessary to have this in the KX3.

Please let me know if I am on the right track so I can finally feel comfortable interfacing the KX3 with my amps.

Thanks & Happy New Year one and all!

Keith
AK6ZZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
______________________________________________________________
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

[Don Wilhelm-4]

Keith,

With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to
connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier.  That is just not
available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver
that I know about.

Amplifiers historically provided ALC to throttle the power output from
the transmitter back when a given level of drive was received. That
worked fine in the old AM and CW days where non-linearity in the
transmit path could be tolerated, but with the advent of SSB where
linearity had to be maintained in the transmit path, this method became
a recipe to create distortion and splatter on the air.  Consider that
there is a finite time delay between detection of an overdrive condition
and that ALC signal back to the transmitter to reduce its power level.  
In other words, the overdrive condition had to already be present before
the ALC could do anything about it.
There is one manufacturer who claims his ALC action is so fast that
there will be no distortion or splatter, but I have great doubts about
that - he would have to predict an overdrive situation before it
actually happened, and I am not sure how that would be accomplished.

Recently, some solid state amplifiers added a new twist.  They have
incorporated sensing circuits to indicate a fault condition such as a
high SWR condition, then the use the ALC line to reduce the transmitter
power to a safe level.  While that is a noble goal, I often wonder why
any amplifier with that complexity would want to depend on some external
driver to protect itself.  I guess cost is the answer, but depending on
something external to "do the right thing" always has puzzled me.  If
the amplifier has enough smarts to detect fault conditions and considers
those faults to be worthy of protecting the amp, then why do they not
include circuits to dump the drive power into a dummy load instead of
the amplifier input - and eliminate the requirement for ALC - the KPA500
goes to standby when it detects a fault and I do not understand why
other manufacturers do not do the same.

OK, that ends my occasional rant on ALC.
Happy New Year

73,
Don W3FPR



On 1/5/2013 8:10 AM, Keith Heimbold wrote:
> Please excuse me for my newbieness in asking this question but it has been on my mind for awhile now.  I am the proud owner of KX3 847 and am curious about the need for Negative ALC capability and interface for the KX3 as I connect it to my solid state amplifiers.
>
> I have been looking at the manual and thinking about interfacing the KX3 with my two solid state amplifiers, THP HL450 and the yaesu Quadra. Both recommend use of negative ALC connection from the transceiver.  For my K3, the negative ALC mod satisfies the Quadra in this respect.
>
> I am looking for reference of negative ALC for the KX3 and cannot seem to locate such a capability and interface. If it is in the manual my apologies for taking up reflector space please let me know which page I am overlooking. If not, then my assumption is that because of the low level of power output 12W max, it was deemed not necessary to have this in the KX3.
>
> Please let me know if I am on the right track so I can finally feel comfortable interfacing the KX3 with my amps.
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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

[ke9uw]

I like what you say Don. I was thinking the same about ALC and do not use it on the K line...or anywhere in the last 20 years.

Chuck, KE9UW
Lionel Trains, TCA, LCCA, LRRC
aka Jack, BMW Motorcycles BMWMOA #224

________________________________________
From: [hidden email] [[hidden email]] on behalf of Don Wilhelm [[hidden email]]
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 7:47 AM
To: Keith Heimbold
Cc: Elecraft Group
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Solid state amps and KX3 negative ALC

Keith,

With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to
connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier.  That is just not
available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver
that I know about.

Amplifiers historically provided ALC to throttle the power output from
the transmitter back when a given level of drive was received. That
worked fine in the old AM and CW days where non-linearity in the
transmit path could be tolerated, but with the advent of SSB where
linearity had to be maintained in the transmit path, this method became
a recipe to create distortion and splatter on the air.  Consider that
there is a finite time delay between detection of an overdrive condition
and that ALC signal back to the transmitter to reduce its power level.
In other words, the overdrive condition had to already be present before
the ALC could do anything about it.
There is one manufacturer who claims his ALC action is so fast that
there will be no distortion or splatter, but I have great doubts about
that - he would have to predict an overdrive situation before it
actually happened, and I am not sure how that would be accomplished.

Recently, some solid state amplifiers added a new twist.  They have
incorporated sensing circuits to indicate a fault condition such as a
high SWR condition, then the use the ALC line to reduce the transmitter
power to a safe level.  While that is a noble goal, I often wonder why
any amplifier with that complexity would want to depend on some external
driver to protect itself.  I guess cost is the answer, but depending on
something external to "do the right thing" always has puzzled me.  If
the amplifier has enough smarts to detect fault conditions and considers
those faults to be worthy of protecting the amp, then why do they not
include circuits to dump the drive power into a dummy load instead of
the amplifier input - and eliminate the requirement for ALC - the KPA500
goes to standby when it detects a fault and I do not understand why
other manufacturers do not do the same.

OK, that ends my occasional rant on ALC.
Happy New Year

73,
Don W3FPR



On 1/5/2013 8:10 AM, Keith Heimbold wrote:
> Please excuse me for my newbieness in asking this question but it has been on my mind for awhile now.  I am the proud owner of KX3 847 and am curious about the need for Negative ALC capability and interface for the KX3 as I connect it to my solid state amplifiers.
>
> I have been looking at the manual and thinking about interfacing the KX3 with my two solid state amplifiers, THP HL450 and the yaesu Quadra. Both recommend use of negative ALC connection from the transceiver.  For my K3, the negative ALC mod satisfies the Quadra in this respect.
>
> I am looking for reference of negative ALC for the KX3 and cannot seem to locate such a capability and interface. If it is in the manual my apologies for taking up reflector space please let me know which page I am overlooking. If not, then my assumption is that because of the low level of power output 12W max, it was deemed not necessary to have this in the KX3.
>
> Please let me know if I am on the right track so I can finally feel comfortable interfacing the KX3 with my amps.
>
>

______________________________________________________________
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

[Keith Heimbold]

Don,

Thanks I appreciate the confirmation greatly of what I assumed was the case.

> With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier.  That is just not available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know about.
>
I plan to eventually go K line all the way to include the P3, KPA500 and KAT500 but for now I have many different types of equipment cobbled to together in the shack and wanted to get a little more operating scope with my KX3.

Thanks,

Keith
AK6ZZ
______________________________________________________________
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

[Rick Tavan N6XI]

Good explanation as usual, Don. I think there may also be an another factor
in play: Back in the day, rigs had manual controls (e.g. drive, power, tube
amp plate/load controls, etc.) and it was pretty easy for a busy or
distracted operator to position them incorrectly and overdrive an external
amplifier, especially when changing bands or making long QSYs. Maybe
protective ALC was justified in those cases, although I never used it and
never got into trouble. Modern, solid state rigs such as the KX3 and K3
don't have manual tuning controls to mis-set and can memorize desired
output levels on a per-band basis. It is far less likely today to make the
kinds of mistakes that used to suggest a need for ALC protection. So now,
more than ever, it seems unnecessary and possibly inadvisable to use
external ALC. It has always been best to adjust output appropriately to
prevent over-driving an external amp. Now it's easy, too.

/Rick

On Sat, Jan 5, 2013 at 5:47 AM, Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Keith,
>
> With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to
> connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier.  That is just not available
> on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know
> about.
>
> Amplifiers historically provided ALC to throttle the power output from the
> transmitter back when a given level of drive was received. That worked fine
> in the old AM and CW days where non-linearity in the transmit path could be
> tolerated, but with the advent of SSB where linearity had to be maintained
> in the transmit path, this method became a recipe to create distortion and
> splatter on the air.  Consider that there is a finite time delay between
> detection of an overdrive condition and that ALC signal back to the
> transmitter to reduce its power level.  In other words, the overdrive
> condition had to already be present before the ALC could do anything about
> it.
> There is one manufacturer who claims his ALC action is so fast that there
> will be no distortion or splatter, but I have great doubts about that - he
> would have to predict an overdrive situation before it actually happened,
> and I am not sure how that would be accomplished.
>
> Recently, some solid state amplifiers added a new twist.  They have
> incorporated sensing circuits to indicate a fault condition such as a high
> SWR condition, then the use the ALC line to reduce the transmitter power to
> a safe level.  While that is a noble goal, I often wonder why any amplifier
> with that complexity would want to depend on some external driver to
> protect itself.  I guess cost is the answer, but depending on something
> external to "do the right thing" always has puzzled me.  If the amplifier
> has enough smarts to detect fault conditions and considers those faults to
> be worthy of protecting the amp, then why do they not include circuits to
> dump the drive power into a dummy load instead of the amplifier input - and
> eliminate the requirement for ALC - the KPA500 goes to standby when it
> detects a fault and I do not understand why other manufacturers do not do
> the same.
>
> OK, that ends my occasional rant on ALC.
> Happy New Year
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
>
>
>
> On 1/5/2013 8:10 AM, Keith Heimbold wrote:
>
>> Please excuse me for my newbieness in asking this question but it has
>> been on my mind for awhile now.  I am the proud owner of KX3 847 and am
>> curious about the need for Negative ALC capability and interface for the
>> KX3 as I connect it to my solid state amplifiers.
>>
>> I have been looking at the manual and thinking about interfacing the KX3
>> with my two solid state amplifiers, THP HL450 and the yaesu Quadra. Both
>> recommend use of negative ALC connection from the transceiver.  For my K3,
>> the negative ALC mod satisfies the Quadra in this respect.
>>
>> I am looking for reference of negative ALC for the KX3 and cannot seem to
>> locate such a capability and interface. If it is in the manual my apologies
>> for taking up reflector space please let me know which page I am
>> overlooking. If not, then my assumption is that because of the low level of
>> power output 12W max, it was deemed not necessary to have this in the KX3.
>>
>> Please let me know if I am on the right track so I can finally feel
>> comfortable interfacing the KX3 with my amps.
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________**______________________________**__
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/**mailman/listinfo/elecraft<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.**htm<http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
> Post: mailto:[hidden email].**net <[hidden email]>
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>

--
Rick Tavan N6XI
Truckee, CA
______________________________________________________________
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

[Phil Salas]

“With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier. That is just not available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know about.”

I agree that ALC is unnecessary.  But FYI - both the FT-817 and the IC-703 have ALC inputs as I recall.

Phil – AD5X
______________________________________________________________
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

[Keith Heimbold]

I have been using the KX3 with the THP HL450B and they seem to be getting along fine.  I am currently using the KX3 again in my truck as I sold my K3 that was in my mobile. The K3 was a real nice mobile radio but I needed the money for antenna repairs and upgrades.

Funny thing is that the KX3 is still having high current warnings and the K3 had absolutely zero issues in the mobile. Not sure why the KX3 doesn't like my mobile environment but after having a FT450AT, my K3 and a Icom 706 having minimal issues the KX3 seems to have more problems in my truck than the other radios.

Thanks for providing the information. Just want to make sure that I get this right.

Keith
AK6ZZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Jan 5, 2013, at 9:48 AM, "Phil & Debbie Salas" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> “With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier. That is just not available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know about.”
>
> I agree that ALC is unnecessary.  But FYI - both the FT-817 and the IC-703 have ALC inputs as I recall.
>
> Phil – AD5X
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

[Matt Zilmer]

Keith,

If you don't mind, could we discuss this?  I have had a similar
problem but it's sporadic.

Please let me know how to reach you directly if you're intrerested to
discuss this person to person.

73,
matt W6NIA
Upland, CA.

On Sat, 05 Jan 2013 10:12:30 -0800, you wrote:

>I have been using the KX3 with the THP HL450B and they seem to be getting along fine.  I am currently using the KX3 again in my truck as I sold my K3 that was in my mobile. The K3 was a real nice mobile radio but I needed the money for antenna repairs and upgrades.
>
>Funny thing is that the KX3 is still having high current warnings and the K3 had absolutely zero issues in the mobile. Not sure why the KX3 doesn't like my mobile environment but after having a FT450AT, my K3 and a Icom 706 having minimal issues the KX3 seems to have more problems in my truck than the other radios.
>
>Thanks for providing the information. Just want to make sure that I get this right.
>
>Keith
>AK6ZZ
>
>Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
>
>On Jan 5, 2013, at 9:48 AM, "Phil & Debbie Salas" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> “With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier. That is just not available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know about.”
>>
>> I agree that ALC is unnecessary.  But FYI - both the FT-817 and the IC-703 have ALC inputs as I recall.
>>
>> Phil – AD5X
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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

______________________________________________________________
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

[Keith Heimbold]

If anyone is interested the THP HL450B is putting out about 180-200W with 12W input from my KX3. I am surprised and extremely pleased to see that output.

As soon as I solve the issue that I will discuss with Matt, I will share the solution with the group.

Keith
AK6ZZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Jan 5, 2013, at 10:12 AM, "Keith Heimbold" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I have been using the KX3 with the THP HL450B and they seem to be getting along fine.  I am currently using the KX3 again in my truck as I sold my K3 that was in my mobile. The K3 was a real nice mobile radio but I needed the money for antenna repairs and upgrades.
>
> Funny thing is that the KX3 is still having high current warnings and the K3 had absolutely zero issues in the mobile. Not sure why the KX3 doesn't like my mobile environment but after having a FT450AT, my K3 and a Icom 706 having minimal issues the KX3 seems to have more problems in my truck than the other radios.
>
> Thanks for providing the information. Just want to make sure that I get this right.
>
> Keith
> AK6ZZ
>
> Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
>
> On Jan 5, 2013, at 9:48 AM, "Phil & Debbie Salas" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> “With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier. That is just not available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know about.”
>>
>> I agree that ALC is unnecessary.  But FYI - both the FT-817 and the IC-703 have ALC inputs as I recall.
>>
>> Phil – AD5X
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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

______________________________________________________________
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

[Phil Salas]

I had this "high current" warning problem awhile and it drove me crazy.
Turns out that I was using another 2.1x5.5mm cable I had (not the one
supplied by Elecraft).  That cable had 24 gauge wires in it.  It may have
also been due to a poor interface at the plug end.  Anyway, I saw an
excessive voltage drop when transmitting (took me awhile to think to monitor
the voltage on the KX3), which caused the high current warning for some
reason.  Anyway, going back to the Elecraft 2.1x5.5mm cable COMPLETELY
solved the problem.  I have since purchased several cables from Mouser (part
number 172-7445-E).  These are 2-foot long cables using 18 gauge wire.  They
also have the right-angle 2.1x5.5mm connector.  These cables work great.  I
terminated the stripped end with PowerPole connectors so I can then add
extension cables if needed.

Phil - AD5X

-----Original Message-----
From: Keith Heimbold
Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 12:12 PM
To: Phil & Debbie Salas
Cc: [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Solid state amps and KX3 negative ALC

I have been using the KX3 with the THP HL450B and they seem to be getting
along fine.  I am currently using the KX3 again in my truck as I sold my K3
that was in my mobile. The K3 was a real nice mobile radio but I needed the
money for antenna repairs and upgrades.

Funny thing is that the KX3 is still having high current warnings and the K3
had absolutely zero issues in the mobile. Not sure why the KX3 doesn't like
my mobile environment but after having a FT450AT, my K3 and a Icom 706
having minimal issues the KX3 seems to have more problems in my truck than
the other radios.

Thanks for providing the information. Just want to make sure that I get this
right.

Keith
AK6ZZ

Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Jan 5, 2013, at 9:48 AM, "Phil & Debbie Salas" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> “With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to
> connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier. That is just not available
> on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know
> about.”
>
> I agree that ALC is unnecessary.  But FYI - both the FT-817 and the IC-703
> have ALC inputs as I recall.
>
> Phil – AD5X
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

[Keith Heimbold]

Hi Phil,

Thanks. I previously used the Elecraft cable and had the same warnings. I will check out the Mouser supply with the 18 gauge wires. Maybe one of those cables will solve this illusive issue.

Best regards,

Keith
AK6ZZ



Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos

On Jan 5, 2013, at 1:54 PM, "Phil & Debbie Salas" <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I had this "high current" warning problem awhile and it drove me crazy. Turns out that I was using another 2.1x5.5mm cable I had (not the one supplied by Elecraft).  That cable had 24 gauge wires in it.  It may have also been due to a poor interface at the plug end.  Anyway, I saw an excessive voltage drop when transmitting (took me awhile to think to monitor the voltage on the KX3), which caused the high current warning for some reason.  Anyway, going back to the Elecraft 2.1x5.5mm cable COMPLETELY solved the problem.  I have since purchased several cables from Mouser (part number 172-7445-E).  These are 2-foot long cables using 18 gauge wire.  They also have the right-angle 2.1x5.5mm connector.  These cables work great.  I terminated the stripped end with PowerPole connectors so I can then add extension cables if needed.
>
> Phil - AD5X
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Keith Heimbold
> Sent: Saturday, January 05, 2013 12:12 PM
> To: Phil & Debbie Salas
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] [KX3] Solid state amps and KX3 negative ALC
>
> I have been using the KX3 with the THP HL450B and they seem to be getting along fine.  I am currently using the KX3 again in my truck as I sold my K3 that was in my mobile. The K3 was a real nice mobile radio but I needed the money for antenna repairs and upgrades.
>
> Funny thing is that the KX3 is still having high current warnings and the K3 had absolutely zero issues in the mobile. Not sure why the KX3 doesn't like my mobile environment but after having a FT450AT, my K3 and a Icom 706 having minimal issues the KX3 seems to have more problems in my truck than the other radios.
>
> Thanks for providing the information. Just want to make sure that I get this right.
>
> Keith
> AK6ZZ
>
> Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
>
> On Jan 5, 2013, at 9:48 AM, "Phil & Debbie Salas" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> “With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier. That is just not available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know about.”
>>
>> I agree that ALC is unnecessary.  But FYI - both the FT-817 and the IC-703 have ALC inputs as I recall.
>>
>> Phil – AD5X
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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

[Javier Campos-3]

I get about the same output with my THP HL-200B , 180-200 watts with 12 watts drive.

Used the setup for CQP without any heating or high current issues with a tuner and an S9v-43' vertical in San Francisco.

Javier NM6E/5

Please excuse any mis-spelling

Sent from my iPhone 5

On Jan 5, 2013, at 1:38 PM, Keith Heimbold <[hidden email]> wrote:

> If anyone is interested the THP HL450B is putting out about 180-200W with 12W input from my KX3. I am surprised and extremely pleased to see that output.
>
> As soon as I solve the issue that I will discuss with Matt, I will share the solution with the group.
>
> Keith
> AK6ZZ
>
> Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
>
> On Jan 5, 2013, at 10:12 AM, "Keith Heimbold" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> I have been using the KX3 with the THP HL450B and they seem to be getting along fine.  I am currently using the KX3 again in my truck as I sold my K3 that was in my mobile. The K3 was a real nice mobile radio but I needed the money for antenna repairs and upgrades.
>>
>> Funny thing is that the KX3 is still having high current warnings and the K3 had absolutely zero issues in the mobile. Not sure why the KX3 doesn't like my mobile environment but after having a FT450AT, my K3 and a Icom 706 having minimal issues the KX3 seems to have more problems in my truck than the other radios.
>>
>> Thanks for providing the information. Just want to make sure that I get this right.
>>
>> Keith
>> AK6ZZ
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone please excuse typos
>>
>> On Jan 5, 2013, at 9:48 AM, "Phil & Debbie Salas" <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> “With the power output limited to 12 watts, there should be no need to connect anything to the ALC on your amplifier. That is just not available on the KX3, nor is it available on any other QRP transceiver that I know about.”
>>>
>>> I agree that ALC is unnecessary.  But FYI - both the FT-817 and the IC-703 have ALC inputs as I recall.
>>>
>>> Phil – AD5X
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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