OT: SPE expert 1k-fa

[Johnny Siu]

Hello Group,

While KPA500+KAT500 are in the production plan, do any of you use SPE expert
1k-fa with your K3?  How is the integration?  Is it silk smooth?

I am thinking whether I should get the SPE or wait for the KPA500+KAT500 which
have been talking about for some years.

Price of SPE here is US$3,800 so I am also thinking of the price differential
with KPA500+KAT500.
 cheers,


Johnny VR2XMC


     
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[K2QI]

Hi Johnny,

There are a few members of the Eleflector that own the SPE.  From what I've
read, they've all had nothing but good things to say about the amplifier.
The SPE, if memory serves me right interfaces well with the K3 and can read
band data, etc.

With that said, do you know if the SPE 2K is available in your area? If so,
how much more expensive is it over its smaller sibling?

73,
James K2QI

On Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 9:58 AM, Johnny Siu <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello Group,
>
> While KPA500+KAT500 are in the production plan, do any of you use SPE
> expert
> 1k-fa with your K3?  How is the integration?  Is it silk smooth?
>
> I am thinking whether I should get the SPE or wait for the KPA500+KAT500
> which
> have been talking about for some years.
>
> Price of SPE here is US$3,800 so I am also thinking of the price
> differential
> with KPA500+KAT500.
>  cheers,
>
>
> Johnny VR2XMC
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>

--
73 de James K2QI
President UNARC/4U1UN
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[Johnny Siu]

Hello James,

Thanks for reply.

SPE 2K is not yet available.  SPE 1k has taken some generations to become
stable.  I think the latest version III should be very good now.
 cheers,


Johnny VR2XMC




________________________________
寄件人﹕ James Sarte (K2QI) <[hidden email]>
收件人﹕ Johnny Siu <[hidden email]>
副本(CC) Elecraft <[hidden email]>
傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/17 (三) 11:02:06 PM
主題： Re: [Elecraft] OT: SPE expert 1k-fa


Hi Johnny,

There are a few members of the Eleflector that own the SPE.  From what I've
read, they've all had nothing but good things to say about the amplifier.  The
SPE, if memory serves me right interfaces well with the K3 and can read band
data, etc.

With that said, do you know if the SPE 2K is available in your area? If so, how
much more expensive is it over its smaller sibling?

73,
James K2QI


On Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 9:58 AM, Johnny Siu <[hidden email]> wrote:

Hello Group,

>
>While KPA500+KAT500 are in the production plan, do any of you use SPE expert
>1k-fa with your K3?  How is the integration?  Is it silk smooth?
>
>I am thinking whether I should get the SPE or wait for the KPA500+KAT500 which
>have been talking about for some years.
>
>Price of SPE here is US$3,800 so I am also thinking of the price differential
>with KPA500+KAT500.
> cheers,
>
>
>Johnny VR2XMC
>
>
>
>______________________________________________________________
>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
>

--

73 de James K2QI
President UNARC/4U1UN



     
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[Dale Parfitt-3]

Hi Johnny,
I have had my SPE for prhaps 4-5 years now. First with a PRO III, then the
IC-7700 and  now my K3 barefoot. Never an issue and I have done about
everything one can to destroy it. The K3 at 12W drives the SPE to around
950W on HF (maybe 500W on 6M) . I use the Kenwood CAT and operation is
seamless and transparent.
For me, it is an ideal combination.
Dale W4OP

 Hello Group,

While KPA500+KAT500 are in the production plan, do any of you use SPE expert
1k-fa with your K3? How is the integration? Is it silk smooth?

I am thinking whether I should get the SPE or wait for the KPA500+KAT500
which
have been talking about for some years.

Price of SPE here is US$3,800 so I am also thinking of the price
differential
with KPA500+KAT500.
cheers,


Johnny VR2XMC



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[Adriano Perazio]

Hello Johny

After using my SPE 1k-fa w/ the ic-7000, ic-756p3, now i´m running w/ the
k3.
So far so good. If you decide for this one, Elecraft crew has the diagram
for the hook up cable.
They are working together for about one month and not even a problem.
My 1k-fa is 8months old and few full time running contests and no problem
too.

73´s
PY2ADR / ZY2C
----- Original Message -----
From: "Johnny Siu" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 12:58 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] OT: SPE expert 1k-fa


Hello Group,

While KPA500+KAT500 are in the production plan, do any of you use SPE expert
1k-fa with your K3? How is the integration? Is it silk smooth?

I am thinking whether I should get the SPE or wait for the KPA500+KAT500
which
have been talking about for some years.

Price of SPE here is US$3,800 so I am also thinking of the price
differential
with KPA500+KAT500.
cheers,


Johnny VR2XMC



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[P.B. Christensen]

Johnny,

It's definitely not "silk smooth."  I am using a K3 with the SPE 1K-FA.
Overall, I'm happy with the performance of the SPE amp with some changes.
However, if you value QSK, be aware that QSK was not fixed until Rev 4 was
released at the beginning of this year.  Older SPE amps require a new F/W
chip and a hardware PCB change.  Still, the operation of the relays is
extremely loud -- too noisy IMHO for enjoyable QSK.  Older SPE amps will
hot-switch, even at low keying speed.

It's possible to handshake the SPE amp and the K3 together to avoid
hot-switching, but be prepared for CW timing problems that must be corrected
with an external keyer.  I devised my own silent, high-power QSK system
using an Ameritron QSK-5 and a homebrew optically-coupled interface.  A
schematic can be seen on my QRZ.com page.

http://www.qrz.com/db/W9AC

Also, be prepared to see output power swing 10% based on the PA deck
temperature.  This is a problem I've seen with most solid-state amps, even
amps that include temperature compensation circuitry.

Finally, the rotational fans go through several steps as PA deck temperature
changes, the last of which produces noise at a level that competes with an
aircaft jet engine.  The state-of-the art in PA deck cooling has a long way
to go in order to match the best VT amps.

Despite these issues, the SPE amp has been reliable and it takes quite a bit
of mis-use to put it into a fault condition. 1KW is easily attained on all
bands.

Paul W9AC

----- Original Message -----
From: "Johnny Siu" <[hidden email]>
To: "Elecraft" <[hidden email]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 9:58 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] OT: SPE expert 1k-fa


Hello Group,

While KPA500+KAT500 are in the production plan, do any of you use SPE expert
1k-fa with your K3? How is the integration? Is it silk smooth?

I am thinking whether I should get the SPE or wait for the KPA500+KAT500
which
have been talking about for some years.

Price of SPE here is US$3,800 so I am also thinking of the price
differential
with KPA500+KAT500.
cheers,


Johnny VR2XMC



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[P.B. Christensen]

> SPE 2K is not yet available. SPE 1k has taken some generations to become
> stable. I think the latest version III should be very good now.
> cheers,

Before purchasing the SPE 2K, I would first get reports from users
concerning fan noise and QSK compatibility.  There are even more fans of the
back of the 2K!

I would also want to know more about output power stability versus PA deck
temperature.  OTOH, if the 2K measures anything like the 1K, IMD performance
should be quite good for a solid-state amp.  Over time, many amp
manufacturers have neglected the "linear" part of "linear amplifier," and
purchases have largely been made based only on raw power.

Paul, W9AC

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[Igor Sokolov-2]

I have had K3 and 1K-FA combo for over 2 years. I also use Kenwood CAT to
make the amp follow the radio. I do not use QSK and use headphones in the
contests so the noise from fans problem and hot switching when QSK problem
is not my worry. I think K3 and Expert is one very good combination.

73, Igor UA9CDC

>
> Hi Johnny,
> I have had my SPE for prhaps 4-5 years now. First with a PRO III, then the
> IC-7700 and  now my K3 barefoot. Never an issue and I have done about
> everything one can to destroy it. The K3 at 12W drives the SPE to around
> 950W on HF (maybe 500W on 6M) . I use the Kenwood CAT and operation is
> seamless and transparent.
> For me, it is an ideal combination.
> Dale W4OP
>
> Hello Group,
>
> While KPA500+KAT500 are in the production plan, do any of you use SPE
> expert
> 1k-fa with your K3? How is the integration? Is it silk smooth?
>
> I am thinking whether I should get the SPE or wait for the KPA500+KAT500
> which
> have been talking about for some years.
>
> Price of SPE here is US$3,800 so I am also thinking of the price
> differential
> with KPA500+KAT500.
> cheers,
>
>
> Johnny VR2XMC
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
> No virus found in this incoming message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 9.0.869 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/3262 - Release Date: 11/17/10
> 02:34:00
>
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[IZ5FSA]

Hi Elecrafters,
here in Italy we have made a PS for K3... with audio included.
Look at here:
http://www.ariscandicci.it/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=349
and click on image.
For detailed info, ask I5YDO, he's on qrz.com

73s de Leo IZ5FSA
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[Johnny Siu]

Hello Group,

Thanks for all your reply via the mail reflector or private email. 

>From all the comments received, SPE is a very good amplifier especially when I
don't quite often use QSK.

I have been waiting for KPA1500, KPA800 and then KPA500 for some time.  Perhaps,
I should go for the SPE this time because it holds good used value and also is
cheaper to buy it in Hong Kong.

With children grown up, they need more living space.  I would like to let my
ICPW1 retired and go for an amplifier with much less foot print.  The whole
exercise is to downsize the radio shack to free up space.

We live in high rise apartment in Hong Kong and do not have the luxury of space
 cheers and thanks,


Johnny VR2XMC


     
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[Johnny Siu]

Sorry, I can't read Italian.  Is it a kit?  What is its price?
 cheers,


Johnny VR2XMC



----- 郵件原件 ----
寄件人﹕ IZ5FSA <[hidden email]>
收件人﹕ [hidden email]
傳送日期﹕ 2010/11/18 (四) 1:22:41 AM
主題： [Elecraft] Power Supply

Hi Elecrafters,
here in Italy we have made a PS for K3... with audio included.
Look at here:
http://www.ariscandicci.it/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=349
and click on image.
For detailed info, ask I5YDO, he's on qrz.com

73s de Leo IZ5FSA
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