[Elecraft] [KX3] Hi Curr Warning

[Gary Hawkins]

Hi Ron,

Thanks for your response but could you clarify.

On the 12/10m bands I'm not sure of the VSWR of the antenna, but the 
VSWR reported by the ATU was 1 to 1, so basically the amp was perfectly 
matched and should have been OK.  Now the fact that I had the radio set 
for 10W rather than 8W on 12/10m might be an issue if the KX3 was over 
driving.  However, I'd made the assumption that the KX3, knowing it's 
band, would just limit automatically - that might not have been correct.

Gary KK6GXD


On 12/12/2013 6:56 PM, Ron D'Eau Claire wrote:
> Not just "low" antenna impedance, but high SWR. The output stage is less
> efficient when the SWR is high so it draws more current to produce the
> requested output.
>
> 73 Ron AC7AC
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Gary Hawkins
> Sent: Thursday, December 12, 2013 4:36 PM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: [Elecraft] [KX3] Hi Curr Warning
>
> On my last two SOTA outings I've experienced HI CURR warning with the KX3.
> I've read this is associated with low battery voltage or low antenna
> impedance.  I think at one time there was also a software bug associated
> with specific settings that was fixed with a firmware release.
>
> My setup consists of KX3, with ATU, 1/4 wavelength vertical cut for 20m.
> SLA battery, well charged, operating above 12V under load. Antenna fed from
> 50ft co-axial cable, 30ft counterpoise connected to ground of KX3.  TX power
> set to 10W
>
> Both times I was operating on 15 or 10m.  ATU was tuned, showing 1:1.0
> match.
>
> Does anybody have any idea what is causing the HI CURR warning?
>
> After it happens, TX power reduces to 5W.  CMP and ALC bars display - no
> matter what I do I can't get these indicators to go in favor of SWR and RF.
> Even if I power off the KX3 it still comes up in this display mode.
> Finally, for no apparent reason, after five to ten minutes it then seems to
> switch back to SWR and RF display.
>
> Looking forward to your input,
>
> Gary
> KK6GXD
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>