[Elecraft] Help Needed for KPA100 Amplifier

[n4xy]

Please keep us informed about what you learn. Ed Tanton N4XY Sent from my T-Mobile 4G LTE Device
-------- Original message --------From: Carter Craigie <carterwc128 at gmail.com> Date: 8/12/21  12:50 PM  (GMT-05:00) To: Elecraft List Members <elecraft at mailman.qth.net> Subject: [Elecraft] Help Needed for KPA100 Amplifier  My problems all started when I moved my Elecraft KX3, PX3, and the ASTRONRS-35A PS from the garage upstairs to the second floor. At first I noticedthat my Amp would put out only about 70-80 Watts. Then the output wentlower and lower until the Amp would not turn on. See below.Here follows what I know at this stage:The AWG 10 power cable from my ASTRON 35A PS to my Elecraft KPA100 amp isabout four feet long. At the terminals on the PS I measure 13.83 v and Imeasure exactly the same at the cable’s end’s Anderson PowerPoles. (Theback of the amp accepts only Anderson PowerPoles.) There are two sets ofthese PowerPoles, and the manual for the amp suggests using the lower setfor the Amp, and that’s what I have done. The manual recommends plugging inthe KX3 on the upper PowerPoles, and I have done that as well. And theradio turns on, no matter whether the Amp is working or not.To turn on the Amp I have to go to the Menu on the KX3, and rotate the knobabove the Menu button until I see “PA OFF.” Then I turn the main VFO knobuntil the OFF changes to “ON.”Some Indicator LEDs on the amp turn on:ON (indicating the Amp has been turned on)ANT 1 (indicating Antenna 1, the one I use to go to the antenna)Mode MAN (indicating manual control—which I wish indicated Auto, forautomatic control)FAULT (indicating SYS (I presume this stands for System) for which I couldfind no helpful explanation in the manual).After about 10 seconds the Amp turns off!I need the Amp to turn on so that I can use the KPA100 Utility Program todo any troubleshooting, but that is not possible, since the Amp will notremain on for longer than those ten seconds I mentioned above.Without the amp I can use my KX3 rig at up to 15W and can use the KP3panadapter as well, so all is not lost! The harnessed set of cablesconnecting the Amp, the KX3, and the KP3 all go through the Amp, and theyshow they are doing their job of connecting the KX3 with the KP3. I justhad a very nice CW QSO with a station in Massachusetts and the reports were599 both ways. Joy!All of my cables are fairly well dressed, with no desktop clutter.I don’t know what to do next.Any suggestions or questions, please?73,Carter, N3AO______________________________________________________________Elecraft mailing listHome: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraftHelp: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htmPost: mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.netThis list hosted by: http://www.qsl.netPlease help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.htmlMessage delivered to n4xy at comcast.net