[Elecraft] Field Day experience with K3

[David Gilbert]

Let me make sure I understand this correctly.  Your K3, which is spec'd 
for a minimum operating voltage of 11 volts, is somehow "not up to the 
task" because it doesn't work properly at voltages less than 10 volts.

I look at it differently.  Your power source was clearly not up to the 
task, and apparently neither was your system engineering if the power 
source was not capable of providing the required power under the 
circumstances at hand.  At first glance, I'd be surprised if you were 
getting anything even close to 120 watts out of that solar panel since 
they are spec'd for full sunlight conditions that rarely hold up on a 
continuous basis (been there, done that), so even a voltage booster 
isn't going to function very long when you're draining enough current to 
feed two rigs at 100 watts.

I think you need to rethink your strategy ....

Dave   AB7E





On 6/28/2012 10:19 AM, John Kountz 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
>
> ___________________________