[Elecraft] KPA-1500 Fan Noise

Sat Jun 2 13:42:34 EDT 2018

I would ask someone from Elecraft to respond to the VGA extension cable
question.  It seems everywhere I read within Elecraft Documentation is that
standard VGA cables should NOT be used.  In regards to extensions, I do not
know if they all work pin to pin, or that they are meant to just extend
standard VGA cables.

It certainly would be a way to extend the distance between the K3/K3S and
the KPA1500, but still retain the functionality between the two.  When the
new firmware comes out, and the amp can be controlled by the function
buttons on the K3 (PF1-operate/stby and PF2-antenna switch), it would be a
sure winner.

'73 de JIM N2ZZ

[Since the cable pin out is straight thru I would imagine a DB15 VGA M-F
extension cable would suffice?]

-----Original Message-----
From: elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:elecraft-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Les Peters
Sent: Saturday, June 02, 2018 12:08 PM
To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net; elecraft-request at mailman.qth.net
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 Fan Noise

Jim I agree with your personal observations.  I run some high duty cycle
modes so I notice the fans kicking into speed 3 a lot when the PA temp gets
to 68-70 degrees.  That setting does a good job of reducing the temp and
keeping it from climbing past 73 degrees.  I've changed my min fan speed
threshold from 0 to 1 to also help.  As you have pointed out 1 is barely
perceptible and this helps to reduce the amount of time that fan speeds are
on 2+.

I'd like to have more separation between the K3S and the KPA1500 RF deck to
further distance any noise but the KPAK3AUX cable is only about five feet
long, it would be great if that were more like ten feet.  Since the cable
pin out is straight thru I would imagine a DB15 VGA M-F extension cable
would suffice?  That would put the potential fan noise even further away but
have the RF deck still plenty close enough to view.

Les, N1SV

#113

> Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2018 23:07:20 -0400
>     From: "James F. Boehner MD"
>     To: "'Elecraft Reflector'"
>     Subject: [Elecraft] KPA-1500 Fan Noise
>     Message-ID: <[email protected]
mailto:[email protected] >
>     Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
> 
>     Just thought I would add a few thoughts as far as the fan noise.
> 
>     I'm not certain a YouTube piece would help, but perhaps personal
observations might.
> 
>     First, via the menu, you can select the minimum fan speed, 0-5. Of
course, the fan speed will go up with the Amp temperature.
> 
>     These are my personal observations:
> 
>     0-Nothing
>     1-Barely perceptible
>     2-Acceptable fan noise, even for SSB operating. Low pitched whine
>     3-The noise and the pitch of the whine is past the acceptable point.
Even a very directional mic will probably pick up the noise. This is where
Noise Cancelling headphones would start to help.
>     4-Louder and higher pitched whine
>     5-Very loud and higher pitched whine
> 
>     So, the fan noise becomes particularly bothersome on level 3 and
above. If you are doing CW and/or Digital, the noise will only be a factor
with the operator. On SSB, the noise will probably be noticeable on the air.
However, the SSB duty cycle may not require higher fan speeds. Those who
have been active in contests will probably know that answer.
> 
>     Rich, if fan noise is going to be that strong a factor, perhaps you
should be looking at tube amps instead. Personally, if I found the KPA-1500
fan noise excessive in the future, I would plan on moving it off my desk or
remoting it rather than replacing it. It's integration with the K3 would be
very hard to give up.
> 
> 
>     ?73 de JIM N2ZZ
>     #106
>     **************************
> 
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