[Elecraft] Connections and Settings on K3s to drive an

[w7aqk]

David and All,

What all are you planning on hooking up to the ALS-600?  Are you going to 
use any kind of tuner with it???

I had an ALS-600, with the standard power supply, for a short while, driving 
it with my K3.  The connections are pretty minimal--just interconnect the RF 
out on the K3 to the ALS-600, and run a keying line between both.  The 
ALS-600 also has provision for an ALC line, but I didn't try to use it.

As I recall, it took something over 30 watts out from the K3 to drive the 
ALS-600 to "full output."  Full output seemed to be closer to 500 watts than 
600 watts.  I didn't try to push it too hard.    I was running it on 120 
Volts, by the way.  The amp was pretty sensitive to SWR, and would trip off 
easily.  My antennas were a decent match, but still, I had to "sneak" up on 
full output.

Overall, I'd say the amp worked O.K., but it sure is a noisy devil!!!  That 
relay really makes a lot of noise, particularly if you are a CW op.  It's 
not a QSK amp, but I converted mine to one by installing Phil Salas' (AD5X) 
QSK kit.  I was a bunch happier with the amp after doing that!!!  Even if 
you are not a CW op, I highly recommend the kit because it makes it so much 
quieter.

Anyway, shortly thereafter, I went to a KPA500, and am thrilled with that 
decision.  I won't try to "sell" you on that other than to say it is a 
"night and day" comparison.  I might also add, however, that the ALS-600, 
for whatever reason, seems to draw more current than the KPA500 does.  The 
ALS-600 would trip the circuit breaker on my 120 volt circuit every so 
often, but not so with the KPA500.  I was never really able to get 600 watts 
out of the ALS-600, but that may have been due to using 120 volts.  With the 
KPA500, though, I can get 600 watts easily--I just don't run it that hard. 
450 to 500 watts is plenty in my book, and if anyone can really tell the 
difference between that and 600 watts, he is a better man than I am!

Hope this helps, but others may have much better info.

73,

Dave W7AQK