[Elecraft] [KPA500] KPA500 questions

[Phil Hystad]

Dick,

Thanks for the quick response and also thanks to Jim and Dave who answered off the list.

Questions answered.  

phil


On Dec 28, 2011, at 9:42 AM, Dick Dievendorff wrote:

> 1) The KPAK3AUX cable is one meter long.  There are no special timing
> requirements that require it to be that short. If you want a longer cable,
> be sure to start with a cable that has all 15 pins connected "straight
> through", not an SVGA extension cable that omits some pins and internally
> bridges others together. 
> 2) It takes most users about 4 hours to build the amplifier. There aren't as
> many steps as the K3. It's not particularly complex, but the tasks are
> different. It might help to review the assembly manual to see what's
> involved.
> 3) The PC interface is direct to the KPA500. It is not daisy chained with
> other equipment (K3 and/or P3).  I use an ABCD switch box to direct my
> single USB to Serial adapter to K3/P3, or KPA500, or W2/XG3 serial data
> cable. The serial interface is required for KPA500 firmware load,
> configuration save/restore, fault table display, and it may be used to
> remotely operate the KPA500 (using the KPA Utility or some other remote
> control program). 
> 
> 73 de Dick, K6KR
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Phil Hystad
> Sent: Wednesday, December 28, 2011 9:34 AM
> To: Elecraft List
> Subject: [Elecraft] [KPA500] KPA500 questions
> 
> Finally I am getting around to seriously consider getting the KPA500.  But,
> a couple of questions:
> 
> (1)  How long is the KPAK3AUX cable?  From one diagram (image) on the web
> site it does not look much longer then 1.5 feet.  Is the short length
> required for timing issues?  With the way my shack is set up right now, I
> could not place the KPA500 right next to the K3.
> 
> (2)  The difference in cost from kit to factory built is $400.  Does this
> rather high cost reflect the complexity of the "building" process or merely
> the cost of the amp (at $2000).  I did the K3 build in what I would consider
> average time of about 8 hours.  How does the KPA500 compare to the K3 in
> complexity and build time.
> 
> (3)  The PC serial interface is direct to the PC (Mac in my case) via a
> serial to USB cable, correct?  I mean, it does not interact with other
> equipment (serially connected) such as the K3 or P3, true?
> 
> Thanks for your help.
> 
> 73, phil, K7PEH
> 
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