[Elecraft] KX2 Safe Operating PA Temperature

[Steve Anness]

It does sound like the KX2/KX3 are pretty tough little radios.  I had heard
of some heatsink issues in earlier KX3s, not sure if that is true or not.
It sounds like 61C is fine.  For the record the time that it got that hot
running 10 watts was SSB and I was doing a continual (recorded) CQ. I only
run digital modes at 5 watts or less.  Again I appreciate all the feedback,
I have KX2 number 617, bought it in June 2016 but it sadly it gets
neglected at times, doing a bit more FT8/FT4 though now, especially since i
am stuck at my apartment.

73 de KJ5T

On Fri, Mar 27, 2020 at 1:05 AM Mooneer Salem <mooneer at gmail.com> wrote:

> FWIW, my KX3 handles 15 watts digital with no issues as far as I can tell.
> I did the temperature compensation and have a third party heatsink, though.
> I haven't looked too much at third party heatsinks for the KX2 but I
> imagine I'd probably want to follow that 50% advice even with one installed
> simply due to its physical size.
>
> -Mooneer K6AQ
>
> On Thu, Mar 26, 2020, 10:47 PM Joan via Elecraft <elecraft at mailman.qth.net
> >
> wrote:
>
> > The KX2 will automatically fold back its power (responding to
> temperature)
> > to prevent thermal runaway or damage to its finals
> >
> > That being said, it is routinely recommended that when running any 100%
> > duty cycle mode (e.g. typical digital text modes or FM Phone) one reduces
> > RF output to 50% of rated output
> >
> > 73 de KX2CW
> > Joan
> >
> > Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra, said Piglet.
> > Shaka, when the walls fell, said Pooh.
> >
> > > On Mar 26, 2020, at 18:09, Steve Anness <steve at kj5t.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > This question was posed last October by another on the reflector in
> > regards
> > > to the KX3 but does not look like there was a response.  I had posed
> the
> > > question once to Elecraft support and believe my email got lost in the
> > > fray.  When I posted the question to Elecraft support it was a month
> > after
> > > I received my KX2 and I was running 10 watts with it and it had gotten
> up
> > > to 61C which is what prompted the question.
> > >
> > > I have been running FT8 at around 5 watts recently and I see it getting
> > up
> > > to 51C.
> > >
> > > At what point should I stop operating and let it cool down?  I love my
> > KX2
> > > and don't want to damage it.  I do know that these are used in fields
> by
> > > many so perhaps I am just being paranoid.
> > >
> > > 73 de KJ5T
> > >
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