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Killed the KPA500 :)

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Michael Walker

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

Read above...

On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:17 PM Nr4c <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Mine has never started up in ‘Operate’ mode. Could it be a setting you
> imposed?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
> > On Nov 16, 2018, at 2:19 PM, Luis V. Romero <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> > Michael:
> >
> > The KPA500 defaults to power up in STANDBY but is programmable to power
> up
> > in OPERATE mode. Someone must have changed yours.
> >
> > The KPA500 can also be programmed to switch to standby on band changes.
> It
> > defaults to selecting STANDBY or OPERATE per the last band change.
> >
> > When connected to a K3 using the KPAUX cables, the amplifier and the
> radio
> > communicate and the radio will reduce power when you switch the amp to
> > OPERATE.
> >
> > I run mine in Power up: STANDBY, Band change: Switch to STANDBY. Its
> harder
> > to do stupid things in this configuration. I'd rather accidentally
> transmit
> > at 100w than blow the amp up. Also, my KAT500 tuner can auto bypass the
> amp
> > if the SWR reaches 2.5:1 threshold to protect the amp. This is also
> > programmable.
> >
> > The menu settings for all of this are in the KPA500 Operations Manual on
> > page 19. BTW, there is no T/R relay to click in the amp. It uses PIN
> Diode
> > T/R switching. When you key the amp, and if you have it connected to the
> > same PTT as the radio, you should see an asterisk (*) in the LCD window
> that
> > tells you the amp is "keyed".
> >
> > You may have blown up the input attenuator. Or the RF deck. Or both. As a
> > machine I used to work with said when its power supply was overheating:
> "$$$
> > UP IN SMOKE!".
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Lu Romero - W4LT
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> > To: Andy Durbin <[hidden email]>
> > Cc: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Killed the KPA500 :)
> > Message-ID:
> > <CA+33ts5vyMXY7o1vHi=[hidden email]>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> >
> > I have the schematics, as someone was kind enough to send them to me.
> >
> > Yes, I forgot the KPA500 powers up in Operate. It is the only Amp I own
> > that does this.
> >
> > I will mention it to Elecraft when I chat with them later today and
> suggest
> > the default should be the other way around.
> >
> > Mike va3mw
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]

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Luis V Romero (mobile)

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Nr4c

See page 19 of the KPA500 manual. The menu setting for this parameter is there.

Lu - W4LT

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nr4c [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Friday, November 16, 2018 8:16 PM
> To: [hidden email]
> Cc: [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Killed the KPA500 :)
>
> Mine has never started up in ‘Operate’ mode. Could it be a setting you
> imposed?
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> ...nr4c. bill
>
>
> > On Nov 16, 2018, at 2:19 PM, Luis V. Romero
> <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > Michael:
> >
> > The KPA500 defaults to power up in STANDBY but is programmable to
> power up
> > in OPERATE mode. Someone must have changed yours.
> >
> > The KPA500 can also be programmed to switch to standby on band
> changes. It
> > defaults to selecting STANDBY or OPERATE per the last band change.
> >
> > When connected to a K3 using the KPAUX cables, the amplifier and the
> radio
> > communicate and the radio will reduce power when you switch the amp to
> > OPERATE.
> >
> > I run mine in Power up: STANDBY, Band change: Switch to STANDBY. Its
> harder
> > to do stupid things in this configuration. I'd rather accidentally transmit
> > at 100w than blow the amp up. Also, my KAT500 tuner can auto bypass the
> amp
> > if the SWR reaches 2.5:1 threshold to protect the amp. This is also
> > programmable.
> >
> > The menu settings for all of this are in the KPA500 Operations Manual on
> > page 19. BTW, there is no T/R relay to click in the amp. It uses PIN Diode
> > T/R switching. When you key the amp, and if you have it connected to the
> > same PTT as the radio, you should see an asterisk (*) in the LCD window
> that
> > tells you the amp is "keyed".
> >
> > You may have blown up the input attenuator. Or the RF deck. Or both. As a
> > machine I used to work with said when its power supply was overheating:
> "$$$
> > UP IN SMOKE!".
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Lu Romero - W4LT
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > From: Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> > To: Andy Durbin <[hidden email]>
> > Cc: "[hidden email]" <[hidden email]>
> > Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Killed the KPA500 :)
> > Message-ID:
> > <CA+33ts5vyMXY7o1vHi=8HoNaX4cKLsKhHfYR8te4-
> [hidden email]>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> >
> > I have the schematics, as someone was kind enough to send them to me.
> >
> > Yes, I forgot the KPA500 powers up in Operate. It is the only Amp I own
> > that does this.
> >
> > I will mention it to Elecraft when I chat with them later today and suggest
> > the default should be the other way around.
> >
> > Mike va3mw
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> __________________________________________________________
> ____
> > 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]

Michael Walker

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

Just an update on the repair

Turns out that the first part of the 6M LPF took the hit on the amp
resulting in a CAP or 2 vapourizing. AKA - phasers set to kill. This
required no special electronic skills to find. You could see it and smell
it.

The support team at Elecraft got back to me and the required parts to
repair the board are on the way. Nice job guys.

Mike va3mw
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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

This still confirms the KPA500 is a darn near bullet proof amplifier.
And likewise from the company, excellent support.

Glad the issue was only minimal damage.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 11/19/2018 4:30 PM, Michael Walker wrote:

> Just an update on the repair
>
> Turns out that the first part of the 6M LPF took the hit on the amp
> resulting in a CAP or 2 vapourizing. AKA - phasers set to kill. This
> required no special electronic skills to find. You could see it and smell
> it.
>
> The support team at Elecraft got back to me and the required parts to
> repair the board are on the way. Nice job guys.
>
> Mike va3mw
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]
>

ANDY DURBIN

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by ANDY DURBIN

"The support team at Elecraft got back to me and the required parts to repair the board are on the way. Nice job guys."

But the question remains - Why didn't the designed-in protections work? This new KPA500 owner would appreciate an answer from Elecraft.

Andy, k3wyc

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Michael Walker

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

Knowing what I did while transmitting at 100 watts of msk144, I’m surprised the damage isn’t worse.

The protection circuits did the best they could of.

If you own any amp, you always need to be aware of the risk. I would never rely on the automation to 100% protected any amp.

If you are worried about your amplifier and anyway I highly recommend you have checklist handy every time you turn it on and change Bands. Never depend on the protection circuits.

I know I’m preaching to the choir too many people, however it is imperative you understand exactly how your amp works, how it’s wired, and how it interfaces with any HF radio.

Mike va3mw

Sent from my iPad

> On Nov 19, 2018, at 6:45 PM, ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> "The support team at Elecraft got back to me and the required parts to repair the board are on the way. Nice job guys."
>
>
> But the question remains - Why didn't the designed-in protections work? This new KPA500 owner would appreciate an answer from Elecraft.
>
>
> Andy, k3wyc
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]