[Elecraft] West Mountain DC to Go with K3 (W6RKE)

[Bill Mader]

Gerald,

I use both a PWRgate and RIGrunner.  However, I run a separate, parallel
cable from the PWRgate output to the K3 to keep Voltage drop to a minimum.
The K3 has its own circuit breaker. I use the RIG runner for 12VDC
accessories.

The PWRgate has come in handy when the power supply or commercial AC dropped
out in the middle of a QSO.  During Field Day several years ago someone hit
the power supply switch accidentally and we kept operating on 20 SSB.  Some
time later, the CW Team Captain came by to ask if we were doing something
different.

I checked everything and noted the battery Voltage was down to 10.5 Volts!
That increased the K3 PA IMD significantly which impacted the 20 CW
operation a couple of hundred yards across the park.  (This is the only one
of two times we have had inter-station QRM.  The second was a defective K2
PA.)  I now use an AC power indicator (AC-powered clock) so ops know if
something in the AC power system failed.  West Mountain Radio offers a
RIGrunner with LED indicators for low and high Voltage plus and audible
indicator configurable for either.

I use a sealed battery so I don't bother with the battery box.

73, Bill, K8TE

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 16 Jul 2015 13:16:27 -0700
From: Gerald Finn <grfinn at earthlink.net>
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [Elecraft] West Mountain DC to Go with K3 (W6RKE)
Message-ID: <B00F1A27-AFC5-4BDC-AF1C-4A6D0A53EB55 at earthlink.net>
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This is my first question for this list.  I hope my format is acceptable.

Has anyone used one of the West Mountain Radio DC to Go with PWRgate and
RIGrunner battery boxes with their K3?

In advance, thank you

-- 
Cheers, Bill