[Elecraft] KPA100/KAT100 on 160 Hi Current

[Don Wilhelm]

Fraser,

What is the power level at 'full power'?  I have seen K2/100s that could
easily develop 160 watts on 160.  To be consistent, measure the current
drawn from the power supply while the KPA100 is delivering 100 watts to a 50
ohm dummy load.  All other comparisons are filled with unknown variables.

There is a difference between a Hi Cur message (base K2 drawing more than
the CAL CUR limit) and a high current being drawn from the supply powering
the KPA100 (amplifier is drawing excessive current).

Also, measure the voltage delivered by the power supply to the KPA100 APP
connector during transmit.  If the voltage drops, the K2 will crank up the
power (draw more current) to attempt to provide the full requested power
output - and if the PS voltage drops significantly the problem is in the
power supply and the connecting cable rather than in the K2/100.

Sorry for the longish answer, but there are several variables that should be
sorted out before determining if a problem exists and if so where it is
located.

In general an amplifier that draws excessive current AND has lower than
expected power output, one can point to the LPF for the source of the
problem, BUT excessive current with proper power output is usually caused by
too low a power supply voltage or bad power supply connections.

73,
Don W3FPR

> -----Original Message-----
>
> Hi, our clubs K2/100 has the same problem with high curent at
> full power on
> 160m, but my own is ok.  Has anyone found a cure?
>
> 73 Fraser G4BJM
>
>
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