[Elecraft] KPA500 Died

[Gary Ferdinand]

OK Jack.

I believe in having fun in a contest.  For me, antenna challenged, that means running “high” power (500 W).  It also means FYI that I use all assistance available to me such as skimmers, etc.  No, I won’t submit as multi op, since I’m not.  No, I won’t submit at all since I elect to maximize fun at the expense of contest rules.   So, yes, my  patience is short right now due to Elecraft equipment failure so I don’t appreciate the reminder of the contest rules.  I never break them *and* submit a score. “Period."  (To quote Pres. Obama)

As for the fault table, I’ll send that into CS on Monday so it’s tracked appropriately, etc.  No need for you to spend Sunday time on it, but thanks.  I was hoping another owner would have had a similar issue and could share some insight.

73

Gary Ferdinand W2CS




On Jan 18, 2014, at 7:17 PM, Jack Brindle <jackbrindle at me.com> wrote:

> Ooh. Well, I hope it wasn’t punishment for “bending” the NAQP rules:
> "No greater than 100 W. Use of external amplifiers capable of more than 100 W output is not allowed."
> And yes, my KPA is not running while I play in NAQP...
> 
> OK, so please send me a copy of the fault table for evaluation. We will see what we can do, but I suspect we will need to get you in touch with CS on Monday.
> I am sure I will hav emote questions for you after I go through the file.
> 
> Jack Brindle, W6FB
> Elecraft Engineering
> 
> On Jan 18, 2014, at 3:59 PM, Gary Ferdinand <alaparos at taconic.net> wrote:
> 
>> Well, I’m hat in hand looking for some advice.  Thanks in advance.
>> 
>> Configuration:  K3, P3, KPA500, KAT500 to a wire.  AUX cable used for control.
>> 
>> Symptom:  K3/KAT500 loads fine into the wire with amp either off or in standby.  SWR goes high and no power out when amp is online.
>> 
>> Possibly interesting facts:
>> 
>> 1.   Was toying with the NAQP today.  Seemed ok at the time.  Total failure as I was trying to make a 6 meter VHF contest Q.
>> 2.   Numerous faults in the fault table for excessive dissipation.  Fault code is 11, yet no fault seen on the amp.  News to me.
>> 3.   I’m totally clueless as to how to interpret the fault table timestamp as to date and time, other than most recent at top
>> 4.   Amp is dead on all bands, 160-6  (no power out, presents high swr to k3, relay heard in KAT500 at keying speed)
>> 5.   Tried a full power-off (plug pulled) with no difference
>> 6.   K3 gets the On/Off signal from the amp.
>> 7.   The amp was built by me from the kit and has provided good service for months
>> 8.   Firmware 1.33 on the amp.
>> 
>> 
>> There’s a very nice snowdrift out back that I’m considering throwing it into.
>> 
>> 
>> Tnx for any suggestions.  Now back to the schematic.  :-(
>> 
>> 73/Gary W2CS
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
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