[Elecraft] Operating in cold weather

[W3FPR - Don Wilhelm]

Joe,

Use the Astron since you said it does not sag voltage with the cold - it 
will supply both the base K2 and the KPA100.  Connect it only to the APP 
connector on the KPA100 and all will be well (you do not need seaprate 
supplies for the K2 and the KPA100 unless you have the KPA100 mounted in an 
external enclosure without the DC connection to the K2 RF board).

73,
Don W3FPR

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Joe Ford" <fordjb at bellsouth.net>
To: <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 9:57 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] Operating in cold weather


> Hello Elecrafters, I have a little problem and would appreciate some
> advice.
>
> My ham shack is in a room which is separated from the main house.
> Consequently, it does not receive heat from the main house and during
> this cold weather is only heated when I am in the room and even then I
> don't get it very warm. I normally only have an hour or so in the
> evenings for operating. I dress warm, and, fortunately I'm in Alabama
> where winters are relatively mild.
>
> Well I have almost completed construction of the KPA100 and planned to
> power it with an Alinco  switching supply. I was using this supply with
> my K2 on a cold morning recently and almost as soon as I powered up it
> notified me my battery was low (not on battery). I looked at the
> Alinco's meter and the voltage was showing just over 10V when it should
> have been 13.8.
>
> First question: Am I correct in attributing this drop in voltage to the
> cold? I think it was about 45 degrees in the room at that time. I also
> have an Astron RS-20 which did not show a similar voltage drop, leading
> me to this conclusion. I can use the Astron to power the KPA100 but will
> need another supply for the K2. Second question: Can someone suggest a
> smaller supply to use with the K2 which will not suffer in the cold
> (most of the small ones seem to be switchers)? Or, final question, Is it
> really necessary to use separate supplies for the K2 and KPA or
> could/would the Astron power both.
>
> Thanks in advance for any assistance.
>
> Joe
> K4NVJ
> K2#4155
> K1#764
>
> "LONG LIVE ELECRAFT'
>
>
>
>
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