Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
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Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
 
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I use my KX3 primarily for operating portable at various locations, usually outside but not always. Sometimes, I do have grid supplied power, most other times I do not. Usually I operate using two LiFePo batteries which usually gives me all the QRP power I need for a few hours.
But, I am considering QRO which to me means 100 watts and therefore I am thinking of buying a KXPA100. But, where to plug in when there is no outlet. I could get more beefy LiFePo batteries but I am also considering a small portable generator. I could use power from my pickup truck and I have done that before but I am not always within power cord length from the truck. So, I am thinking of a generator. Ideally I would like one that is RFI quiet and I have no idea if they exist as I have never operated off of a generator. Something small (1 KW) and highly portable. Therefore: can someone who has used such generators give a recommendation and also comment on whether RFI is a problem or not with these portable generators. For example, Honda makes a 1600 watt model that looks reasonable (EU2000i). Thanks. 73, phil, K7PEH ______________________________________________________________ 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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It runs on 13.8 volts. Any portable supply will work if it supports a standard 100 watt transceiver like a K3 or TS 480.
Sent from my iPhone ...nr4c. bill > On Sep 20, 2016, at 12:48 PM, Phil Hystad <[hidden email]> wrote: > > I use my KX3 primarily for operating portable at various locations, usually outside but not always. Sometimes, I do have grid supplied power, most other times I do not. Usually I operate using two LiFePo batteries which usually gives me all the QRP power I need for a few hours. > > But, I am considering QRO which to me means 100 watts and therefore I am thinking of buying a KXPA100. But, where to plug in when there is no outlet. > > I could get more beefy LiFePo batteries but I am also considering a small portable generator. I could use power from my pickup truck and I have done that before but I am not always within power cord length from the truck. So, I am thinking of a generator. > > Ideally I would like one that is RFI quiet and I have no idea if they exist as I have never operated off of a generator. Something small (1 KW) and highly portable. > > Therefore: can someone who has used such generators give a recommendation and also comment on whether RFI is a problem or not with these portable generators. For example, Honda makes a 1600 watt model that looks reasonable (EU2000i). > > Thanks. > > 73, phil, K7PEH > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
Re: Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
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In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3
Phil -
N9FN and I have operated portable in various state QSO parties using his Honda EU2000 with no RF noise we could detect. We often used his KPA500 and that generator handled it quite well. The Honda 1KW unit is lighter and would certainly handle the gear you are talking about. I have heard reports that "some" folks experienced RFI with that unit, and even some with the EU2000 but I believe any such problems can probably be mitigated by physical separation and chokes. We are usually about 20 feet from the generator and cannot hear it running from that distance. Best of luck. Dave - K9FN On Sep 20, 2016 12:50 PM, "Phil Hystad" <[hidden email]> wrote: > I use my KX3 primarily for operating portable at various locations, > usually outside but not always. Sometimes, I do have grid supplied power, > most other times I do not. Usually I operate using two LiFePo batteries > which usually gives me all the QRP power I need for a few hours. > > But, I am considering QRO which to me means 100 watts and therefore I am > thinking of buying a KXPA100. But, where to plug in when there is no > outlet. > > I could get more beefy LiFePo batteries but I am also considering a small > portable generator. I could use power from my pickup truck and I have done > that before but I am not always within power cord length from the truck. > So, I am thinking of a generator. > > Ideally I would like one that is RFI quiet and I have no idea if they > exist as I have never operated off of a generator. Something small (1 KW) > and highly portable. > > Therefore: can someone who has used such generators give a recommendation > and also comment on whether RFI is a problem or not with these portable > generators. For example, Honda makes a 1600 watt model that looks > reasonable (EU2000i). > > Thanks. > > 73, phil, K7PEH > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
Re: Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
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If you are in a very quiet location with antennas close to the Honda and
haven't brought other noise sources to pollute your environment, you WILL want a serious common mode choke on the AC line. We use Honda 2000i with K3/KPA500 for our county expedition to a rare county for CQP (California QSO Party). Noise sources include computers, monitors, wall warts, battery chargers, portable refrigerators, etc. We use no SMPS wall warts, and choke everything. The length of AC cable between the Honda and the choke should be as short as possible. To get more turns through the choke, make a short jumper with the thinnest practical cable and use it to wind the choke. #14 indoor wiring cable or #14 appliance cable are a good choice. Wind the choke before installing the second connector. Follow the guidelines in Chapter 7 of k9yc.com/RFI-Ham.pdf for coax the size as the power cable you're using. Use larger diameter and close spaced turns to move the resonance lower. 73, Jim K9YC On Tue,9/20/2016 11:53 AM, David Bunte wrote: > N9FN and I have operated portable in various state QSO parties using his > Honda EU2000 with no RF noise we could detect. We often used his KPA500 and > that generator handled it quite well. ______________________________________________________________ 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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In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3
Any currently available Honda generator would certainly be adequate--even
the EU1000 model. I've run similar setups to what you describe from several different Hondas. My own generator is a Yamaha 2400 watt model, but it's more than I need for just that. In the past I've even used a small 600 watt Honda, and that worked O.K. too. With Honda you are probably looking at the highest "dollar per watt" cost. The Yamaha is somewhat less, but a very good generator. It's not quite as quiet (ambient noise vs. RFI) though, but only slightly less. There are lots of alternatives out there, and some that have Honda engines. The real issue may be RFI, and you just have to check that out first if you can. Personally, I'd recommend something larger than a 1KW generator if you want to use it for camping, etc. It's surprising how many small appliances can require a fairly high amount of power. A coffee pot often requires 1200 watts or more!!!! That's why I opted for the Yamaha 2400 watt model. In my case, I have a small travel trailer that I use for camping outings, and it has a 15000 BTU air conditioner. A Honda EU2000 won't quite handle that, but the Yamaha will! So, you have to think about the maximum requirement you are apt to have, and the ham rig probably won't be it! Dave W7AQK ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
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FWIW, we had problems with noise from a Generac ix 800 (800
watts) generator when we were running a special event station. It just covered the P3 with noise. 73 Bill AE6JV ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Frantz | Privacy is dead, get over | Periwinkle (408)356-8506 | it. | 16345 Englewood Ave www.pwpconsult.com | - Scott McNealy | Los Gatos, CA 95032 ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
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In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10
Thanks to all you guys with comments and recommendations regarding a generator. Everyone seemed to have great reports on the Honda EU2000i and that will likely be what I get. I see the going street price is $999.99. Some have suggested larger to handle other things like computer, coffee pots, etc. If I were operating a day-long contesting station in the field then that might be justified but that is not my thing. Besides, I never use a computer with ham radio except to load software/firmware on my Elecraft gear or maintain my log (though, I always log on paper and enter into computer later). Jim (K9YC) suggested using a good choke on the input AC line and I will look into it. I already use his RFI paper as the basis design of several chokes I use on my dipole antennas. 73, phil, K7PEH ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
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Phil,
If you go with the Honda give Mayberrys a call, http://www.mayberrys.com/. They give a discount to hams. I bought mine there several years ago and if I recall, the discount was pretty good. Mike - K3MAW On Wed, Sep 21, 2016 at 11:21 AM, Phil Hystad <[hidden email]> wrote: > > Thanks to all you guys with comments and recommendations regarding a > generator. Everyone seemed to have great reports on the Honda EU2000i and > that will likely be what I get. I see the going street price is $999.99. > > Some have suggested larger to handle other things like computer, coffee > pots, etc. If I were operating a day-long contesting station in the field > then that might be justified but that is not my thing. Besides, I never > use a computer with ham radio except to load software/firmware on my > Elecraft gear or maintain my log (though, I always log on paper and enter > into computer later). > > Jim (K9YC) suggested using a good choke on the input AC line and I will > look into it. I already use his RFI paper as the basis design of several > chokes I use on my dipole antennas. > > 73, phil, K7PEH > > ______________________________________________________________ > 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] |
Re: Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
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One thing to think about (and yes, Honda makes great stuff).
There is a triple-fuel conversion for the Yamaha generators -- gasoline, propane or natural gas. Propane is easier to store, and won't gum up the carburetor like gasoline. I've not seen a propane conversion Honda generator, but I'd definitely look for non-gasoline options. -- Lynn ______________________________________________________________ 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] |
Re: Portable Ops with KX3 along with KXPA100
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In reply to this post by Phil Hystad-3
I operated from temporary locations (often in a wall tent) from
remote Alaska on 80 & 40m SSB with a radio and ac PS powered by one of the 600w Honda "lunch box" generators. Never had any radio noise problems. We went out with long ext cords to get the engine noise away from the radio. I have a 6500w electric-start Honda as emerg backup power for the house and no radio noise. Engine runs very quiet as well (has its own "doghouse" near the commercial power meter box to which I ran wiring via conduit using a 200amp transfer switch). I believe is uses a alternator with true sine wave. Cost me $4K. I just put in service a 50v - 50amp switching PS for my 6m QRO amp. I ran three wraps of the 50v wiring thru a toroid donut and used a couple clamp-on ferrites on the 240vac leads to block RFI. Absolutely no 6m electrical noise in the K3 only 5-feet from the PS. You could do the same with the ac leads from a noisy generator. Generac is an old name known for supplying farm power; cheap in cost and not a lot of engineering. I'd buy the Honda! 73, Ed - KL7UW http://www.kl7uw.com "Kits made by KL7UW" Dubus Mag business: [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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