[Elecraft] Connecting the K3 to a PW-1

[Jerry Flanders]

 From what I can determine, both the Icom PW-1 and the Yaesu Quadra 
(which I have) BOTH utilize the ALC circuit to protect the amp in 
oddball situations such as an antenna 
disconnect/intermittent/whatever. If you are going to run without the 
ALC, you are putting your expensive finals at risk.

Wayne, we need your recommendations for a circuit to fix this please 
please please.

Having actually blown up the output circuit of an amp when the 
antenna coax connector was intermittent (I was not using ALC then), I 
am gunshy about protective circuits.

Jerry W4UK

At 04:46 AM 5/6/2008, Mike Penkas wrote:
>Hi,
>I have been using my K3 and PW-1 together.
>I use a Microham Band Decoder as the interface for automatic band 
>switching and also switch bands on my SteppIR.
>With the latest firmware upgrades I only need to set the K3 for a 
>little over 20 watts to get a KW out of the PW-1 on SSB.
>I use an Array Solutions PowerMaster wattmeter which I have 
>programmed to shut down the keying line to the PW-1
>if I exceed 1100 watts output.
>Without a negative ALC protection voltage for the K3, which as we 
>know requires the oddball positive voltage, you
>have to make sure to be watchful of your drive power.
>I have had correspondence with ICOM tech support ref overdiriving 
>the PW-1 should I accidentally pump 100 watts
>into it. They said it should not damage it but recommend using ALC 
>and keeping drive levels to enable 1000 watts output.
>Being adventurous I pumped 100 watts into the PW-1, for a short 
>duration, and got over 1400 watts output on the
>wattmeter.  There was no damage and the cooling fans kicked in quickly.
>Feel free to contact me off group if you plan on using them together 
>with a band decoder and I will fill you in
>on my settings and the quirks.
>                73's  Mike WA8EBM
>