[Elecraft] KPA500 installtion with ICOM 7300

Joe Subich, W4TV lists at subich.com
Wed May 9 19:40:33 EDT 2018


On 2018-05-09 6:48 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
 >
> It's certainly OK to HOOK UP the ALC cable, but it's VERY BAD
> PRACTICE to DEPEND on ALC to set power out. Doing so is a recipe for
> terrible clicks and splatter. ALWAYS set power using the output power
> knob on the transceiver. The ONLY virtue of ALC is to protect the
> power amp from an operator screw-up, or from something going wrong in
> the antenna system.

That's the point.  The ALC cable protects the KPA-500 when the operator
"spaces" and leaves the exciter power control at full power (100+ Watt)
level.

 > It takes about 25-30W to drive a KPA500 to full power.

Therein lies the case for a 4-6 dB attenuator inside the amplifier.
The attenuator can be left in-line and the exciter can be operated
at its normal (100 W) output level without concern for overdrive
and/or damage.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV




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