[Elecraft] K2/100 High Refl shutdown driving amp

Tue Oct 28 12:21:00 2003

Hi Floyd,

I have exactly the same problem with the Ameritron ALS-600.
I've had THREE of these amps (replaced by HRO) and they
all have the same trouble to one degree or another. I've been
on Ameritron/MFJ's case about this and nothing seems to get
resolved. The problem seems to be just a poorly designed
T/R relay and I'm pretty disgusted with Ameritron quality control
and customer service...It sure ain't Elecraft! Ameritron used to
produce pretty decent gear but since MFJ bought them out they've
regressed to the MFJ cheap junk ethic.

Pardon the flame.

73,
Doug
W6JD
K2 #1626

BTW I'm considering taking the drastic step of buying an Ameritron
QSK-5 PIN diode T/R switch and just bypass the internal relay but
it could turn out to be more good money after bad.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Floyd Sense" <[email protected]>
To: "Elecraft" <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 28, 2003 6:18 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] K2/100 High Refl shutdown driving amp

> The K2 is sn#1987 with Rev B changes, latest firmware.  I recently built
the
> KPA100 and have been testing the setup while chasing DX with the AL-800H
> amplifier.  The 8R Hold feature is being used, and I can drive the amp to
> full legal output with 50-60 watts from the K2.  Over 6-8 hours of
> operation, I've had one situation occur three times now.  If I pause just
a
> bit too long between characters on CW, the amplifier relay drops out and
the
> problem occurs when the next character is sent.  The problem is a High
> Reflected power message, and complete loss of output power from the K2.  I
> suspect that the problem originates when the K2 output rises during the
> amplifier relay drop and reactivation, presenting the K2 with a momentary
> high SWR situation.
>
> When this occurs, there is NO output from the K2, and the only recovery is
> to run the K2 power control down to zero and then to reset it to the
proper
> value, or to power the K2 down and up again.  If I'm running with the
> headphones on and can't hear the amplifier, there's really no way to know
> that there was a problem as there's no audible difference in the K2, and
the
> High Refl message on the display disappears very quickly.  Has anyone else
> noted this problem, or have any suggestions?
>
> K8AC
>
>
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