[Elecraft] Creaking KPA-500

[Buck]

My creaking went away after a while.

Buck, k4ia
Honor Roll
8BDXCC
EasyWayHamBooks.com

On 9/30/2019 1:21 PM, Michael Walker wrote:
> The creaking is due to the Heatsink expanding and contracting and the
> screws trying to hold them in place.
> 
> It is normal and if you loosen screws, you may hear the noise go away.  If
> you tighten them, you might break the screws.
> 
> I'm not sure which way it will go, but it is normal.
> 
> Mike va3mw
> 
> 
> On Mon, Sep 30, 2019 at 1:32 PM Bob McGraw K4TAX <rmcgraw at blomand.net>
> wrote:
> 
>> Phil et al;
>>
>> My factory built KPA500 did a good be of cracking and popping for 3 or 4
>> months when first received.   But it has stopped.  Guess all the metal
>> parts settled into a comfortable position and all is now well.    I
>> considered opening it up, tightening or loosing bolts and screws.    But
>> procrastinator me just waited and it stopped by itself.   I  think
>> that's good.
>>
>> Love the amp, it is a great performer.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Bob, K4TAX
>>
>> On 9/30/2019 7:59 AM, Phillip Zminda wrote:
>>> My kit-built KPA-500 is about 8 months old. Lately I’ve been running a
>> lot of FT8 and FT4 at around 150 to 200 watts. I have really noticed a lot
>> of loud creaking from the KPA-500 after a few QSOs on digital modes. The
>> manual does indicate that some noise is normal but this does seem
>> excessive, I don’t recall noticing it when on CW or SSB, although I haven’t
>> done much contesting where the amp would have a lot of running time.
>>>
>>> I expect I may need to tighten some screws inside. I really don’t want
>> to do any more disassembly than necessary and would prefer not to ship back
>> to Elecraft either. What is the likely culprit and how much disassembly is
>> required to get to the necessary screws?
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>>
>>> Phil N3ZP
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