[Elecraft] KPA100 recommended max power for digital modes?

[WA7SPY]

Thank you for all the replies they were very informative. In my original post I stated KPA100. It should have been KXPA100 my bad on my part. Most of you figured out what I meant. 

I agree about the hi and bye PSK31 QSO's these days. That being said I will say I have had some really nice rag chew QSO's lately on PSK31. I typically start turning my power down during a QSO to see how low I can go and still have a good copy. 

I do have my KX3 connected to a Hard Rock 50, 50 watt amplifier. I run the Hard Rock at 20 watts or less on PSK31.

In regard to the KXPA100 my original question was to find out what the max output power would be safe to go to without causing damage to the amp. If I am correct the answer is the amp will protect itself and automatically throttle itself back if the temp to the finals gets too hot.

Now in regard to the KX3 without the amp 2-3 watts is recommended for PSK31. What does 2 -3 watts driving the KXPA100 equate to for output power from the amp. I will be using the Elecraft cable set to integrate the amp. So from what I have read that means the PA menu is selected to on on the KX3. That means the power control on the KX3 is re-indexed. So does that mean it is safe to run in the 20-30 watt range with the amp without over driving the KX3 for PSK31?

Thank you
Glenn Maclean WA7SPY

> On Feb 22, 2014, at 4:07 PM, Bill Frantz <frantz at pwpconsult.com> wrote:
> 
> When I went back to New Hampshire last Christmas, I decided that the trip would be a rag chew trip. Since the only radio I had was the Small Wonder Labs PSK-20 -- The K3 is too big to carry and I don't yet have a KX3 -- it had to be rag chewing on 20M PSK. I found a number of people to chat with and had a good time on the radio.
> 
> I have a few thoughts on how to encourage rag chewing. Since people are used to the "5NN QRZ" type of interchange, start chatting early in the QSO. I use macros for the boiler plate -- name, QTH, and call signs and use the keyboard for everything else. I'm lucky that after 40+ years as a computer programmer, I can type quite rapidly. Don't worry about typing slowly however. Rag chewing isn't a contest or a DX pileup.
> 
> In my first exchange after exchanging call signs, I try to give meaningful signal reports, I'll start with:
> 
> Hi OM, you are 569 569 569
> and then run my QTH macro. If the other OP has already sent a name I'll use it in place of "OM". Later in the QSO, if the other OP has already described the station, I'll try to include something about his station when I describe mine. By then we should be ready to branch out and talk about ARES/RACES, contesting, DX, WX, family, Christmas dinner -- anything that might come up.
> 
> It doesn't always work, but then just move on and do/answer another CQ.
> 
> As to being overpowered by strong stations, the K3 with a 250 Hz filter works wonders. However, for me, the real problem stations have been local running well under 50 watts. When you're in the target of a beam 1/4 mile away, it doesn't take much power to overload the A/D converter driving the computer.
> 
> The PSK-20 doesn't have any narrow filters like the K3 does, but in New Hampshire there aren't any close by PSK operators either. I rarely see any New England stations on my waterfall. (20 meters is that way. I had a devil of a time working Nevada from the Los Gatos too.)
> 
> Now there are times and places for rag chewing. Contests, DX pileups, and rare opening aren't them. At times when it is appropriate, try to encourage it.
> 
> Cheers - Bill, AE6JV
> 
>> On 2/23/14 at 2:46 PM, vk4jrc at gmail.com (Jack Chomley) wrote:
>> 
>> I go hide on the WARC bands for PSK31 these days :-) Too many big guns on the other bands,  I have a hard time trying to filter them out, my receiver always gets swamped!
> 
>> On 2/22/14 at 2:41 PM, kc6cnn at gmail.com (Gerald Manthey) wrote:
>> 
>> I agree with Don! I like to chat, learn about the op or Qth. It is a major
>> draw back to Jt 65 or Jt9.
>> 
>>> On Feb 22, 2014 4:26 PM, "Don Wilhelm" <w3fpr at embarqmail.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Doug,
>>> 
>>> ...
>>> 
>>> While I do use [PSK] occasionally, that factor and the preponderance of
>>> "hello, brag sheet, goodbye" QSOs has soured me on the mode.  It used to be
>>> a lot of keyboard to keyboard ragchew QSOs, but that is rare these days.
>>> No opportunity to get to know something about the ham you are in QSO with.
> 
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Bill Frantz        | I like the farmers' market   | Periwinkle
> (408)356-8506      | because I can get fruits and | 16345 Englewood Ave
> www.pwpconsult.com | vegetables without stickers. | Los Gatos, CA 95032
> 
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