[Elecraft] K3 Drive Levels and the SPE 1.3K-FA

[Bob McGraw K4TAX]

Why not add a 1 dB or 2 dB attenuator in line at the input of the amp?   
That would allow for a bit higher drive power from the K3S.   Three 
carbon resistors will make a nice Pi attenuator.

73

Bob, K4TAX

On 11/21/2019 9:42 AM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
> I have operated RTTY with my K3S in the 11 watt range not knowing that 
> this was bad for the LPAs. It would be nice if the Elecraft K3/K3S 
> would allow the option to turn on the 100 watt power amp and a lower 
> power setting.
>
> John KK9A
>
> dgb ns9i wrote:
>
> I run a lot of rtty and digital with my K3. I always set the amp to the
> mid range getting 8-900w out. It takes only 8-11 w drive from the K3 to
> accomplish that.
>
> Note: SPE recommends to run the amp in Mid Range for digital operation.
> When I first got the amp I made the mistake of running it in the high
> range and melted the copper heat sink, which was not considered a
> warranty repair, and was an expensive lesson learned.
>
> Over the  course of the 3 yrs. that I've owned the amp,  I have blown 4
> LPA's in the K3 running it at 8-11w. With latest repair the tech
> informed me that the "LPA is not rated for continuous duty at upper
> power levels (like the digital Modes)" They suggested running 13w vs 11w
> so the LPA wouldn't be used. If I do that it over-drives the SPE in the
> mid-range.
>
> What is my suggested recourse?
>
> thanks 73 Dwight NS9I
>
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