[Elecraft] Transverter inquiry

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Web asked:
Question 1: I'm thinking about buying all the transverter kits, and remember
that some folks said something about a heat problem. Has Elecraft made any
modifications to make them run cooler?

Question 2: All my amps require 10 watts input- 20~25
watts would probably damage them. My 432 amp only
wants one watt input, I think. Is it possible to turn the
RF out down when building the transverters so that it would
be impossible to exceed 10 watts (or one watt, in the case
of the 432 transverter)?

-------------------------------------------

The transverters have a wide-range variable attenuator to allow them to be
driven at just about any I.F. input level from about 0.1 mW to 8 watts. You
can restrict the maximum transverter output by how you set the attenuator. 

You are planning to run the transverters at half of their 20-watt CW/PEP SSB
rated output, or less. That alone will greatly reduce the amount of heat
produced. The bottom cover is the heat sink for the RF amplifier module. Of
course, the entire cabinet warms up over a period of extended operation.
That seems to be what most of those commenting on it have noticed. The RF
module itself is rated for substantially more output than the 20 watt PEP
SSB/CW or 10-watt continuous carrier operation that Elecraft specifies.

The XV432 does include a small fan and holes perforated in the bottom and
top covers to help move air through the cabinet by pulling it in through the
bottom and pumping it out through the top. It's the only one of the four
units that has a fan. 

Ron AC7AC