[Elecraft] KPA500

Thu May 19 10:08:32 EDT 2011

No, that is not my example at all. I am also tuning a remote tuner that 
comes in line after the KPA500. If I did not have a tuner at that point 
I could not use the KPA500. I am no longer using the K3's internal tuner 
now that I have the KPA500. So my situation is exactly the same as the 
other people you describe.

My typical operating practice is not to use the amplifier unless it is 
necessary. When I change bands I want to adjust the antenna tuner and 
then operate the K3 barefoot at 100w until I decide I need to use the 
amp. What happens now is that changing bands causes the K3 to be set to 
the 30w lower power setting intended to drive the amp. If I then change 
the K3's power setting to 100w the next time I enable the amp I'll be 
(over)driving it at 100w.

If we're going to have an aux cable that allow the K3 and KPA500 to 
communicate then the two should be kept in sync. If the KPA500 is 
offline then the K3 should be set to high power; if the KPA500 is 
engaged the K3 should be set to low power. As it is now, changing bands 
causes the two units to be out of sync with each other. I just cannot 
see how that makes sense.

It's not a matter of laziness; I have two different tube rigs in my 
shack, a tube amp and a manual antenna tuner and I can and do use all of 
them. But when you have things like the K3 and KPA500 that are meant to 
work as a system then they should do just that.

73 de K1UR

On 5/19/2011 1:02 AM, Bob wrote:
> Hi Nels,
>
>              In your example the tuner is in the K3 and tuning the K3
> to the antenna.  The situation
> others are in is using a tuner on the output of the amp to match the
> amp out to the antenna
> and want to tune the external tuner before applying power from the amp.
>
>              Also using the built in K3 tuner is useful in matching
> the input to amps that do not
> have a tuned input such as some Ameritrons or Clippertons. So possible
> usages are:
>
> K3 with internal tuner to antenna
> K3 no internal tuner used and external manual tuner
> K3 with tuner matching amp input, amp matched to antenna with external
> tuner.
>
>             There is no perfect state for everyone.  I think your way
> has merit too but maybe that
> could be obtained in another manner if programmed.  The amp could
> actually have 3 states,
> operating, standby, and off. The K3 reverting to full bore tuned 100w
> with the amp in full off.
>
>             Also more full automation is possible when the anticipated
> auto high power ant tuner
> is available.
>
>               Boy we are all getting lazy, and that includes me.  Used
> to be, tune the radio, tune
> input and output of amp, tune ant tuner.  And now we want to reduce
> button pushes.
>
> 73,
> Bob
> K2TK   ex KN2TKR (1956) & K2TKR
>
>
> On 5/18/2011 5:32 PM, Nels Anderson wrote:
>> That was intended? It still strikes me as broken. I have a K3 that
>> thinks the amp is enabled and has its power set as such, and I have an
>> amp that is offline. So the K3 and KPA500 states are now out of sync.
>>
>> I too want the amp to drop into standby when I switch bands, and I then
>> use the tune button to put out about 20w and make the autotuner do its
>> thing. But after that is done, I don't necessarily want to engage the
>> amp, so I want the K3 to now be set to the non-amp power level. As it is
>> now, if I change bands and want to leave the amp off I have to make the
>> band change, and then press the amp engage button twice to get the rig
>> and amp back in sync.
>>
>> Why are others using the rig as you describe instead of using the tune
>> button?
>>
>> 73 Nels K1UR
>>
>>
>> On 5/18/2011 4:53 PM, Eric Swartz WA6HHQ - Elecraft wrote:
>>> That is actially intended and was part of the request for this
>>> option. Several FTs asked us to add a menu enabled feature where the
>>> rig dropped into stand-by on a band change, so that they could then
>>> retune their manual ATU. This allowed them to avoid faulting the amp
>>> if they forgot to do so. Leaving it at low power was desired for ATU
>>> tuning.
>>>
>>> 73,
>>> Eric  WA6HHQ
>>> at 35,000 ft on the way to Dayton.
>>>
>>> www.elecraft.com
>>> _..._
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On May 18, 2011, at 4:38 PM, Nels Anderson<nels at flightsim.com>   wrote:
>>>
>>>> I agree, the band switch buttons are very handy--love them.
>>>>
>>>> However did you see my post about the software bug related to power
>>>> level/band switching?
>>>>
>>>> On mine I find 35 watts to be way too much drive...seems like 26 or 27
>>>> is all it takes for full power.
>>>>
>>>> 73 Nels K1UR
>>>>
>>>> On 5/18/2011 3:23 PM, Phil LaMarche wrote:
>>>>> I know this is a simple statement, but, I love changing bands from
>>>>> the 500
>>>>> instead the K3.  Much faster. This amplifier is so sweet.  35
>>>>> watts drives
>>>>> to a full 500.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Phil
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Philip LaMarche
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> LaMarche Enterprises, Inc
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> <mailto:Phil at LaMarcheEnterprises.com>    Phil at LaMarcheEnterprises.com
>>>>>
>>>>> <http://www.lamarcheenterprises.com/>    www.LaMarcheEnterprises.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> 727-944-3226
>>>>>
>>>>> 727-937-8834 Fax
>>>>>
>>>>> 727-510-5038 Cell
>>>>>
>>>>> <http://www.w9dvm.com/>    www.w9dvm.com
>>>>>
>>>>> K3 # 1605
>>>>>
>>>>> KPA500 # 029
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>    CCA 98-00827
>>>>>
>>>>> CRA 1701
>>>>>
>>>>> W9DVM