[Elecraft] Field Day experience with K3

[Rick Bates]

I bet the TT got pretty dirty TX at low voltage. 

Rick

Tiny iPhone keypad, sorry for typos

On Jun 28, 2012, at 10:19 AM, "John Kountz" <john at t6ee.com> wrote:

> Fellow K3 guys:
> N6L, our 2AORG solar powered Field Day station was specifically configured
> to demonstrate off-the-grid emergency opperations and thus provided an
> excellent opportunity to put one of my two K3 (sn 3271 and 2215) to work
> under less than the comforts of home.
> Disquietingly, the K3 wasn't up to the task!
> Let me explain: both the K3 and our second radio, a TenTec Eagle (Model
> 599AT sn 3051271430) were fed from the same 120 watt Power Film Panel /110
> AmpHr GSM battery combination and operated at 100W output.  In tandom
> operation, the Eagle was not affected by momentary voltage dips (below 10
> VDC) whereas the K3 would shut down.
> With both radios in SSB mode and following the first K3 shut down, the K3s
> operating environment was changed: different bands, different antennas,
> reduced power output (to 10 watts) different operators and, finally
> different solar /GSM battery combinations.
> None remedied the problem.
> Following from our experience, while the K3 and the Eagle offer excellent
> operating characteristics, beware of the K3 under extenuating
> circumstances; it's liable to let you down even at low output power levels.
> The only potential solution may be found in a voltage boost device such as
> the "N8XJK boost regulators"
> http://stores.tgelectronics.org/Categories.bok?category=Boosters
> Unfortunately, following the research necessary to uncover a source of
> these devices Field Day was over.
> Next year for sure!
> 73
> John Kountz, WO1S/T6EE
> 
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