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Killed the KPA500 :)

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Michael Walker

Killed the KPA500 :)

All

I'm trying to find the schematic for the KPA500.

The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF radio
was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)

Before I take it apart to find the offending part, a schematic would be
useful.

Now, no power out, not surprisingly. T/R relay sounds like it is
chattering when in TX/Operate.

And, if anyone else has gone down this road before, you might be able to
shorten up my debugging time.

Thanks all in advance, Mike va3mw
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ANDY DURBIN

Killed the KPA500 :)

"The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF radio was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"

I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the amp and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.

Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has changed recently they will provide them to you.

Andy, k3wyc
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Michael Walker

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

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

On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:

> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF radio
> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"
>
>
> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the amp
> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
>
>
> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
> changed recently they will provide them to you.
>
>
> 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]
>

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

My KPA500 does not power up in operate. It always powers up in Standby.

73 - Mike - K9JRI

> On Nov 16, 2018, at 8:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF radio
>> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"
>>
>>
>> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the amp
>> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
>> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
>>
>>
>> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
>> changed recently they will provide them to you.
>>
>>
>> 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]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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ANDY DURBIN

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

"My KPA500 does not power up in operate. It always powers up in Standby."

Mine too. I also drop to STBY on band change. Both are user configurable and, since this is my first amp, I chose settings that leaned towards safety rather than operator convenience. I forget what the defaults were.

Andy k3wyc
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Ken Winterling

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

The power up state, “standby” or “operate”, is programmable. I’ve always
felt is was safer to have an amp power up in standby in most cases. Some
remote operators may want it to power up in “operate” but would have to
take measures to ensure the exciter was in standby at the time.

Ken
WA2LBI

On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 08:58 Michael Blake via Elecraft <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> My KPA500 does not power up in operate. It always powers up in Standby.
>
> 73 - Mike - K9JRI
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > On Nov 16, 2018, at 8:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> > 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
> >
> >
> > On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> >> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF
> radio
> >> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"
> >>
> >>
> >> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the
> amp
> >> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
> >> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
> >>
> >>
> >> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
> >> changed recently they will provide them to you.
> >>
> >>
> >> 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]
> >>
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>

--

Ken
WA2LBI

Sent from one of my mobile devices
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Ken Wagner K3IU

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Me too... or mine too.
73, Ken K3IU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On 11/16/2018 8:57 AM, Michael Blake via
Elecraft wrote:

> My KPA500 does not power up in operate. It always powers up in Standby.
>
> 73 - Mike - K9JRI
>
>
>
>
>
>
>> On Nov 16, 2018, at 8:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> 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
>>
>>
>> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>>> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF radio
>>> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"
>>>
>>>
>>> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the amp
>>> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
>>> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
>>>
>>>
>>> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
>>> changed recently they will provide them to you.
>>>
>>>
>>> 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]
>>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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]
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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>

kb2mjeff

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Mine also always powers up in standby...

73 Jeff kb2m

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Blake via Elecraft
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2018 8:57 AM
To: Michael Walker
Cc: Elecraft Reflector ; Andy Durbin
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Killed the KPA500 :)

My KPA500 does not power up in operate. It always powers up in Standby.

73 - Mike - K9JRI

> On Nov 16, 2018, at 8:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF
>> radio
>> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"
>>
>>
>> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the amp
>> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
>> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
>>
>>
>> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
>> changed recently they will provide them to you.
>>
>>
>> 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]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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Mike Cox

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

It's a MENU selection ... See MENU>PWR--ON ...

On 11/16/2018 8:57 AM, Michael Blake via Elecraft wrote:

Raymond Sills

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Ken Wagner K3IU

Hi guys:

No mention was made of whether the transceiver was being operated by the front panel or via CAT commands. Maybe something in some running software sent an "operate" command when it should not have. It'll be interesting to know what the cause of the incident turns out to be.

73 de Ray
K2ULR
KX3 #211

-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Wagner K3IU <[hidden email]>
To: Michael Blake <[hidden email]>; Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
Cc: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>; Andy Durbin <[hidden email]>
Sent: Fri, Nov 16, 2018 9:05 am
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Killed the KPA500 :)

Me too... or mine too.
73, Ken K3IU
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On 11/16/2018 8:57 AM, Michael Blake via
Elecraft wrote:

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Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

You can configure the amp via the MENU to power up in the stand-by mode. Also have it go to stand-by when changing bands.

You should have the amp connected to the K3 via the multi conductor cable and not use the amp key cable.

The amp follows the radio and none of this will happen.

Bob, K4TAX

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 16, 2018, at 7:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> 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
>
>
>> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF radio
>> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"
>>
>>
>> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the amp
>> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
>> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
>>
>>
>> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
>> changed recently they will provide them to you.
>>
>>
>> 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]
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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 :)

In reply to this post by Mike Cox

Thanks all

I'll check the menu. I certainly don't remember it being there, but I will
have a 2nd look once I reassemble it and remove the smoked parts.

I have the schematics now.

Thanks, Mike va3mw

On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 9:13 AM Mike Cox <[hidden email]> wrote:

> It's a MENU selection ... See MENU>PWR--ON ...
>
> On 11/16/2018 8:57 AM, Michael Blake via Elecraft wrote:
> > My KPA500 does not power up in operate. It always powers up in Standby.
> >
> > 73 - Mike - K9JRI
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >> On Nov 16, 2018, at 8:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> 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
> >>
> >>
> >> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >>
> >>> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF
> radio
> >>> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out.
> :)"
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the
> amp
> >>> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
> >>> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
> >>> changed recently they will provide them to you.
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> 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]
> >>>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> 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]
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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Michael Walker

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Sorry

I don't use a K3 and it was a mistake in my in head checklist.

Mike va3mw

On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 9:56 AM Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
wrote:

> You can configure the amp via the MENU to power up in the stand-by mode.
> Also have it go to stand-by when changing bands.
>
> You should have the amp connected to the K3 via the multi conductor cable
> and not use the amp key cable.
>
> The amp follows the radio and none of this will happen.
>
> Bob, K4TAX
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Nov 16, 2018, at 7:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
> >
> > 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
> >
> >
> >> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >>
> >> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF
> radio
> >> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"
> >>
> >>
> >> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the
> amp
> >> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
> >> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
> >>
> >>
> >> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
> >> changed recently they will provide them to you.
> >>
> >>
> >> 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]
> >>
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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]
> >
>
>
>

Bob McGraw - K4TAX

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

See manual page 19 PWR ON Also BAND CHG is the other parameter.

Good luck with the repairs.

Bob, K4TAX

Sent from my iPhone

> On Nov 16, 2018, at 8:56 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Thanks all
>
> I'll check the menu. I certainly don't remember it being there, but I will
> have a 2nd look once I reassemble it and remove the smoked parts.
>
> I have the schematics now.
>
> Thanks, Mike va3mw
>
>
>> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 9:13 AM Mike Cox <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> It's a MENU selection ... See MENU>PWR--ON ...
>>
>>> On 11/16/2018 8:57 AM, Michael Blake via Elecraft wrote:
>>> My KPA500 does not power up in operate. It always powers up in Standby.
>>>
>>> 73 - Mike - K9JRI
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Nov 16, 2018, at 8:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> 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
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF
>> radio
>>>>> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out.
>> :)"
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the
>> amp
>>>>> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
>>>>> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
>>>>> changed recently they will provide them to you.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 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]
>>>>>
>>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>>> 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]
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> Elecraft mailing list
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>>> 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]
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
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>> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>>
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> ______________________________________________________________
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David Bunte

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Bob McGraw - K4TAX

My KPA500 is configured to power on in STANDBY, but it stays in OPERATE

On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 9:57 AM Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
wrote:

David Bunte

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

now for the rest of my message:

It stays in OPERATE when I change bands. I would like for it to revert to
STANDBY when I change bands, but can't find how to configure it to behave
that way. I welcome the information on how to do so.

Thanks,

Dave - K9FN

On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 10:08 AM David Bunte <[hidden email]> wrote:

> My KPA500 is configured to power on in STANDBY, but it stays in OPERATE
>
> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 9:57 AM Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
>> You can configure the amp via the MENU to power up in the stand-by mode.
>> Also have it go to stand-by when changing bands.
>>
>> You should have the amp connected to the K3 via the multi conductor cable
>> and not use the amp key cable.
>>
>> The amp follows the radio and none of this will happen.
>>
>> Bob, K4TAX
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> > On Nov 16, 2018, at 7:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>> >
>> > 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
>> >
>> >
>> >> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF
>> radio
>> >> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out.
>> :)"
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the
>> amp
>> >> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
>> >> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
>> >> changed recently they will provide them to you.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> 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]
>> >>
>> > ______________________________________________________________
>> > 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]
>> >
>>
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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

" I thought the KPA500 was designed to protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong. "

According to the KPA500 Owner's Manual the KPA500 should react to excessive drive by first switching in the attenuator and, if that is not sufficient drive reduction, issuing hard fault 06 and dropping to STBY.

Why was this KPA500 not protected? Are all KPA500 at risk of damage if driven with 100W? Will Elecraft be reviewing the fault log to see what went wrong?

My standard procedure would prevent ever driving with excessive power. (Change bands, drop to STBY, send 5 W tune signal, read LP100A SWR, check TS-590 power setting, if power correct and SWR ok then select OPER). However, I know I'm fallible and it is a design goal that my TS-590 <> Elecraft interface will fully automate this sequence.

Andy, k3wyc

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Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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Luis V Romero (mobile)

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

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]

Elecraft mailing list

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Michael Walker

Mike;

If you haven’t done so already, please call the customer support guys down in Watsonville. They should be able to help you with the situation. They may ask for a fault log from your KPA500 - if so please provide it. I will try to quickly turn around the analysis that I do each time one of these is requested.

The KPA500 does have many protections for bad conditions. As others have stated, the KPA defaults to Standby at power on, but may be set to switch over to OPER mode shortly after power-up with a menu setting. This can be saved using the menu item: PWR-ON. That default value for that setting is STBY.

When the KPA detects input power over 50 watts we will insert a 3db attenuator and continue operating. At this point the FAULT LED will be blinking to alert you as to the condition that needs correction. If the input power is over 60 watts for more than one half second or over 50 watts for 5 seconds we will go to a fault condition. If the input power is over 75 watts the KPA will immediately go to a fault condition.

The KPA500 has a lot of checks and processes to correct problem situations. Excess power over an extended period or happening many times can damage the input network and lead to amplifier failures. As with any amplifier, avoiding that situation is always a good thing, and assures use of the amplifier for years to come.

Let’s see what we can do to get you back on the air quickly. Again, please give customer support a call so we can get that going.

73,
Jack, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering

> On Nov 16, 2018, at 6:58 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Sorry
>
> I don't use a K3 and it was a mistake in my in head checklist.
>
> Mike va3mw
>
> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 9:56 AM Bob McGraw K4TAX <[hidden email]>
> wrote:
>
>> You can configure the amp via the MENU to power up in the stand-by mode.
>> Also have it go to stand-by when changing bands.
>>
>> You should have the amp connected to the K3 via the multi conductor cable
>> and not use the amp key cable.
>>
>> The amp follows the radio and none of this will happen.
>>
>> Bob, K4TAX
>>
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Nov 16, 2018, at 7:52 AM, Michael Walker <[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>>
>>> 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
>>>
>>>
>>>> On Fri, Nov 16, 2018 at 8:27 AM ANDY DURBIN <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> "The unit was powered on and it came up in operate mode while the HF
>> radio
>>>> was in TX at 100w on 6M. End result is that the magic smoke got out. :)"
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I suspect this is a very common mistake for ops who sometimes use the
>> amp
>>>> and sometimes operate barefoot. I thought the KPA500 was designed to
>>>> protect against that user error. Seems I was wrong.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Suggest you contact support for schematics. Unless their policy has
>>>> changed recently they will provide them to you.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> 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]
>>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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]
>>>
>>
>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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]

Nr4c

Re: Killed the KPA500 :)

In reply to this post by Luis V Romero (mobile)

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]