[Elecraft] KPXA-100 & K2 Integration?

Sat Jan 29 15:54:31 EST 2022

Well, it has been over 3 years now and I didn't have any hair when I 
started ;-)

73,
Dave, W8FGU

On 1/29/2022 3:42:46 PM, "Linda M" <wa6vab at gmail.com> wrote:

>Hi Dave………
>
>Thanks for getting into the Elecraft Support Bizz.
>
>I worked for one of the Ham Equipment Suppliers long ago.
>
>You’re in for a Glutten for Punishment. 😊   I wont say More !
>
>Ray Maxfield- WA6VAB  K3
>
>
>
>
>
>From: Dave Van Wallaghen <mailto:dave at w8fgu.com>
>Sent: Saturday, January 29, 2022 11:57 AM
>To: KJ <mailto:kjpj27 at gmail.com>; Elecraft Reflector 
><mailto:elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
>Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPXA-100 & K2 Integration?
>
>
>
>Hi Ken,
>
>
>
>I service all of Elecraft's Classic Line of Products through my company
>
>W8FGU Services, LLC and I am a part time employee of Elecraft doing the
>
>same thing for them. I can assure you that discontinuing the KPA100 was
>
>no arbitrary decision. As with most 20 year and older designs, part
>
>availability becomes more and more of an issue with every passing year.
>
>When we were not able to procure the finals anymore, I believe this was
>
>one of the final straws. They stopped producing the finals a couple of
>
>years ago as far as we can tell. There are some counterfeit versions on
>
>the market and auction sites, but the are not up to spec. This combined
>
>with other unavailable parts led to the demise of the KPA100. I worked
>
>pretty hard with Wayne, Eric and our parts folks to come up with a
>
>solution, but in the end, it was decided to discontinue it.
>
>
>
>I am actively working on a project to create cables that will interface
>
>the K2 with each of our amplifier products including the KXPA100. With
>
>the addition of a keying line from the K2, you can form a basic
>
>integration to most any amplifier. The basic 10 watt version does not
>
>have an external keying line and would need a keying circuit added to
>
>the K2 bring it out. There are a number of circuits documented out 
>there
>
>for this purpose. I also sell a kit for doing this on my website:
>
>https://www.w8fgu.com/k2_trdriver.html. This circuit and kit was based
>
>on one produced years ago by Tom Hammond, N0SS (SK). If you have the
>
>K60XV module installed, then you can bring out the K60XV J2 pin 2 for
>
>this purpose. I am doing exactly that on my K2. I mounted an RCA jack 
>on
>
>the rear panel and tied it to that pin.
>
>
>
>The above will allow the K2 to drive an amp, but will not get you much
>
>"integration". With our amplifier line, band switching can be automated
>
>with a dit of RF from the K2. But other than that, tight integration
>
>like with our newer transceivers is not there. The cables I am trying 
>to
>
>develop will attach to the K2's KIO2 AUX I/O port and provide keying. I
>
>have prototyped one to work with the KXPA100 and it keys properly and
>
>allows RS-232 commands to pass through the KXPA100 from the PC for
>
>control of the K2 by software programs. The main issue with integrating
>
>the K2 with our amps is that there is virtually no codes space left in
>
>the K2 firmware for having it communicate and integrate with the other
>
>amps like it did with the KPA100. So, things like amp power output and
>
>SWR will not be reflected on the K2 like it does with the KX2 & 3 when
>
>used with the KXPA100.
>
>
>
>For use with the KPA500 and KAT500 Power Combo and the KPA1500, I am
>
>going to prototype similar style cables for those amps as well. The 
>good
>
>thing we've found with the Power Combo is that you can set it up to 
>poll
>
>for frequency info from the K2 so that you have automatic band 
>switching
>
>and proper loading of ATU memories while tuning around with the K2 VFO.
>
>The KPA1500 has the same capability but will require some modification
>
>of the cable as it is not implemented the same way as the KPA500. At
>
>this point the KXPA100 does not poll at all unless it recognizes the
>
>XCVR as a KX2 or 3.
>
>
>
>So, "full integration" may not be totally possible because of the lack
>
>of code space in the K2. But I believe I can get some "nice to have"
>
>integration like automatic band switching and ATU memory loading with
>
>our amplifier line. I am working closely with my tech counter parts at
>
>Elecraft to bring these cables to fruition soon we hope. Stay tuned...
>
>
>
>73,
>
>Dave, W8FGU
>
>
>
>
>
>On 1/29/2022 1:01:33 PM, "KJ" <kjpj27 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> >Hello again all,
>
> >Can the KPXA-100 be fully integrated with the K2? Full QSK and so on? 
>Appears to be mostly for the KX3 and KX2.
>
> >My 2003 K2 has all the options.
>
> >
>
> >I can't believe Elecraft discontinued the 100w amp for the K2. What do 
>have then?
>
> >A full featured, basically, QRP radio! These little 5 watt jobs are 
>1/8th the size but maybe w/o all the bands and there all over the place 
>for sale.
>
> >
>
> >Should have bought the KPA-100 back then but the $$ weren't there!!
>
> >Anybody has one up for sale....let me know....
>
> >
>
> >Thanks!! Ken
>
> >W2GIW, QRZ address is good.
>
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