[Elecraft] [K3] GPIO input to switch output power with external amplifier on?

[Vic K2VCO]

I also have suggested this. I wrote a macro which toggles the DIGOUT1 line which I use to 
enable/disable my 'dumb' amplifier. The macro also switches between 100w and 65w, which is 
more or less what I use to drive the amplifier. But I would really like to have access to 
the per-band settings used for the KPA500.

This feature is only available if you have a KPA500 now, but it shouldn't be hard to make 
it accessible to everyone.

On 8/28/2012 4:41 PM, Thomas Horsten wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> I know that the K3 can remember a separate power level for transmitting
> with an intelligent external amplifier like the KPA500, but I have an old
> boat-anchor amplifier which I switch in and out with a simple switch
> connected to the KEY OUT line of the K3.
>
> Sometimes I am working barefoot on the K3 with 100W and then I decide I
> need some extra power and turn on the amplifier. Then I have to turn the
> drive down on the K3 to about 40W to drive the amplifier, but sometimes I
> forget and the result is amplifier overdrive and burnt smell from the tubes.
>
> It would be very nice if there was an input on the K3 that would switch to
> the alternative per-band memory for drive power. It might already be there
> and used for the KPA500, but I couldn't find it in the manual.
>
> 73, Thomas M0TRN


-- 
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/