[Elecraft] Button of no return

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

On 3/13/2014 11:15 AM, Richard Solomon wrote:
> You can get an ultra-flexible 10 ga wire that audio folks use for speaker
> connections (I got a 200' roll off the "evil empire"). Much better than the
> standard stranded wire.
>
> 73, Dick, W1KSZ

Why bother?  The difference in resistance between #12 and #10 is less
than 0.5 Ohm per 1000 feet.  For a typical six foot power cord that's
takes the resistance in the wire from 0.01 Ohm (1/100 th of an Ohm)
down to about 0.006 (6 milli-Ohms).  The problem isn't in the resistance
of the wire - the resistance in the silly PowerPoles is 10 times the
resistance on the wire *if the Power Poles are assembled correctly*.
High current Molex connectors are marginally better, particularly if
multiple pins are connected in parallel.

It's high time that transceiver manufacturers start using high voltage
final transistors to reduce both the current and IMD as well as go back
to nice heavy 1/4" bolts (studs) for the high current connections.
PowerPole and Molex connectors may be nice if one is playing with QRP
current levels but they just don't cut it at 10 to 25 amps.   The high
current, "hot plug" power supplies use multiple contacts to keep the
resistance (and heat, losses) in connectors down.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


>
>
> On 3/13/2014 8:05 AM, Mike Harris wrote:
>> I use a somewhat larger diameter than supplied cable to my K3 with a
>> four inch or so piece of the supplied cable with the PP's in line
>> crimped to it using vehicle cabling crimps.  Provides flexibility at
>> the K3 without adding any significant extra IR loss.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Mike VP8NO
>>
>> On 13/03/2014 11:21, Roger D Johnson wrote:
>>> I do not dislike Power Poles and use them for many cords around my
>>> station. The problem is that
>>> my K3 is fed from the power supply using large (stiff) diameter
>>> conductors. Brushing up against
>>> these can cause them to disconnect from the K3. If the K3 is powered up,
>>> this can result in the K3
>>> going off to never-never land which requires a special, and not well
>>> documented, procedure to
>>> get it running again. I think the K3 needs a better connector here.
>>>
>>> 73, Roger
>>>
>>>
>>> On 3/13/2014 9:52 AM, Mike Harris wrote:
>>>> Not a flame just a simple power pole observation.
>>>>
>>>> Never had a problem, never fallen out (K2, K3, XV50) even when tugging
>>>> units around, soldered not crimped, no $40. crimper, not colour blind
>>>> so arranged the cable and connectors to match the equipment.
>>>>
>>>> Each to his own I guess.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Mike VP8NO
>>>>
>>>>
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>
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