[Elecraft] KPA-1500 SWR fault above 700-800 watts on 160m

[Rick Bates, NK7I]

Being able to use a <fill in the blank> without reading the manual is 
actually one of my personal tests of the user interface.  Jump in, see 
how it plays and what is presented to make changes if needed.

The K3 easily passes that test (former Kenwood user; Elecraft is similar 
in format), HOWEVER that is on the surface only.  One must read through 
the manual (a few times preferably) to get into the menu settings (only 
one layer deep) and the reasons for them, when to apply them.  An annual 
or topical review can be done in personal down time, to keep the meat 
memory cells active.  And even then, something new may 'appear' in the 
text and learning happens.

Then for reading dessert, read the firmware update statements as a few 
things are added and others change slightly over time since the manual 
was created.

I also have a 7300 (for the RV) and it's not as UI friendly to me but is 
a convoluted series of menus to alter what should be a simple change; so 
it's what one is used to seeing, in part.  Some of that is 
cross-cultural phrasing, some of it, is a lesser UI (in my opinion).

73,
Rick NK7I

K3, P3, KAT500, KPA500, KPA1500, investments in quality.


On 9/3/2020 11:56 AM, K8TE wrote:
> RTFM is a wonderful acronym to follow.  I'm always surprised to read "I
> think..." "I recall..." and similar posts to answer a poster's question.
> Most of us are U.S.A. males, no offense to those who aren't.  As such, our
> DNA has been irradiated by past (not Cycle 24) solar cycles and we no long
> see the need to read manuals.
>
> A friend of mine bought an IC-7300 because he could operate it without
> reading the manual.  He has since read some of the manual and uses features
> that make his signal (usually weak with a 12 ft. high antenna) more
> copyable.  I am working on his further conversion.
>