[Elecraft] KPA500 problem

[Jack Brindle]

I have to concur, but can’t give any help on what might be shorting. One piece of info I can give - there is no scenario in firmware where a fault will power off the amplifier. All faults will leave the amplifier in the STBY state with the amplifier on. With some you won’t be able to transmit, but the amp will still be powered.

Make sure all connections are right, that no cables are offset or otherwise misconnected. What version of firmware is in the KPA500? If not V1.38 or later, you should upgrade. 

Otherwise talk to the CS folks in Watsonville. This is a strange situation. It would be interesting to see the fault table for the amp (you might send me a fault table for analysis). With the amplifier shutting down so quickly I doubt if anything is being saved, though.

Jack Brindle, W6FB
Elecraft Engineering

 
> On Feb 16, 2016, at 7:39 AM, Mike Crownover <ad5a at gvtc.com> wrote:
> 
> Joe,
> 
> I already reset all menu items to default. I've also done the Key Out to PA
> Key configuration. I've also done the 10 watt exercise, I am getting the
> asterisk without the underscore and the ~200 watts out. But only when I just
> tap the paddle. If I string dits together, even at low power the amp shuts
> off.
> 
> The K3 isn't shutting down.
> 
> I sort of in the camp that it's something internal, however, I've never
> built one of these. I did get the assembly manual and have looked at some
> obvious ground connections and all seem in order.
> 
> Thanks for your thoughts.
> 
> Mike AD5A
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Elecraft [mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of AJ8MH
> Radio
> Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2016 9:26 AM
> To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 problem
> 
> No fault codes?
> 
> Double check amp's menu items and set all to default before test.
> 
> Remove all cables. Connect dummy load directly to amp. Connect RF in from
> K3. Connect "Key Out" to "PA Key."
> 
> Manually select same band on rig and amp. Set K3 for 10 watts drive. 
> Select "OPER." Now, try and key amp. You should see asterisk in amp's
> display window and around 200 watts out. An asterisk with underscore
> indicates amp is being inhibited.
> 
> If amp still fails, I would check all connections internal to the amp. 
> Guess you could also see if the K3 is shutting down...
> 
> 73,
> Joe ( AJ8MH-Radio )
> 
> On 2/16/2016 9:33 AM, Mike Crownover wrote:
> 
> 73,
> Joe ( AJ8MH-Radio )
> 
> On 2/16/2016 9:33 AM, Mike Crownover wrote:
> 
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