[Elecraft] KPA-1500 failure

[Eric Swartz - WA6HHQ, Elecraft]

Hi Paul,

Can you send me the contact info for your friend so we can help him?  (Or have 
him contact support at elecraft.com immediately.)

Using the KPA1500 utility to download and sending us your KPA1500 config file is 
always required in cases like this and it will also help us quickly diagnose 
what's up. (That file contains the full amp setup and fault log history.) 
Hopefully, this may just be a cockpit error. (Overdrive activates the 3 dB input 
attenuator.)

Also, NEVER drive the KPA1500 at 100W! That is well in excess of its fault level 
and can damage the amp. Our normal max input drive level is about 61 W or so if 
I recall correctly.  Above that point the 1500 automatically lights the yellow 
OVR light and switches on a -3 dB input attenuator. After continuous slight 
drive for 10-20 secs at above this max drive level the amp will then hard fault 
into standby. Never increase drive when the OVR light is on - that will only 
increase the risk of damaging the amp.

OVR and the 3 dB attenuator will activate for overdrive, high reflected power, 
high PA current etc. When it lights, that is a message to REDUCE DRIVE and 
correct the problem. Once the drive is reduced, after several seconds the OVR 
light and input attenuator will turn back off.

73,
Eric
/elecraft.com/

On 10/16/2018 7:35 PM, Paul Baldock wrote:
> A friend of mine's KPA-1500 has just failed. It behaves like half the PA has 
> died, with max output power about 900W, and requiring excessive drive to get 
> that. He has calls in to service but no response yet. Has anybody experienced 
> such a failure?
>
> Thanks
>
> - Paul  KW7Y
>
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