Running the K3/10 at higher power

[Edward R Cole]

This question is really a spin-off from the "Power Control at 50-MHz".

I measured CW output with PWR set to max on the HF bands with my
Bird-43 power meter into a dummy load.  I found that a setting of 12w
actually netted near 16w output 160-20m, but dropped to 8w on 10 &
6m.  I didn't do a power calibration to set back the power so
wondering if there is anything negative from running the K3/10 above
12w?  This really would be an advantage for driving the 20/300w amp
that I will be assembling.  I don't expect full output with 16w drive
(maybe 240w) but that will net more than 12w would (180w).

I also find that in TEST mode I am getting 0-1.5mw output on 500-KHz
vs. 0.5mw cited in literature for the K3.  I normally run between
0.25 and 0.62mw to drive my 500-KHz linear (50-100w output), so do
not run at the higher levels, but found it interesting that it output
more than a mw.


73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
======================================
BP40IQ   500 KHz - 10-GHz   www.kl7uw.com
EME: 144-600w, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-fall 2010
DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [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

[Julian, G4ILO]

Edward R Cole wrote

I didn't do a power calibration to set back the power so
wondering if there is anything negative from running the K3/10 above
12w?  This really would be an advantage for driving the 20/300w amp
that I will be assembling.  I don't expect full output with 16w drive
(maybe 240w) but that will net more than 12w would (180w).

The transmit IMD will get worse very quickly as you exceed 12W. You will then be amplifying all these IMD products.

It depends whether you want to sound like a US station or someone from eastern Europe!

[Phil Salas]

"...I found that a setting of 12w
actually netted near 16w output 160-20m, but dropped to 8w on 10 &
6m...."

What Bird slug are you using?  Remember that a calibrated BIRD is only
guarenteed to be +-5% for a full scale reading.  If you are less than
full-scale, the accuracy can be much less.  Assuming that you are using the
same slug, the relative difference between 160-20 and 10-6 meters is
probably about right.  But the absolute power readings could be off.

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

[Dave-3]

mine maxes out at 0.5mw on 500kHz, as claimed, on an HP power meter/head
rated down to 100kHz

Dave

>
> Message: 11
> Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2010 22:47:16 -0800
> From: Edward R Cole <[hidden email]>
> Subject: [Elecraft] Running the K3/10 at higher power
> To: [hidden email]
> Message-ID: <[hidden email]>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
> I also find that in TEST mode I am getting 0-1.5mw output on 500-KHz
> vs. 0.5mw cited in literature for the K3.  I normally run between
> 0.25 and 0.62mw to drive my 500-KHz linear (50-100w output), so do
> not run at the higher levels, but found it interesting that it output
> more than a mw.
>
>
> 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45
> ======================================

 

______________________________________________________________
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