[Elecraft] Interesting observations after installing antenna switch

[ken.kj9b at gmail.com]

Hi Ray.  Either I was unclear in my description, or it was mis-read.  According to the display of the amplifier, it is ALWAYS set for the 60 meter band, regardless of what band I am actually operating.

 

73,

Ken, KJ9B

 

From: Ray <wa6vab at gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 3:06 PM
To: ken.kj9b at gmail.com; Elecraft at mailman.qth.net
Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Interesting observations after installing antenna switch

 

The 60 meter band is 100 Watts ERP Legal Limit !  

The RAAS4a is Trying to keep you out of Trouble…

 

Ray WA6VAB K3  

 

 

From: ken.kj9b at gmail.com <mailto:ken.kj9b at gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2023 11:58 AM
To: Elecraft at mailman.qth.net <mailto:Elecraft at mailman.qth.net> 
Subject: [Elecraft] Interesting observations after installing antenna switch

 

Hi all.  I recently put a remote antenna switch in my HF system.  This

switch (a WA4MCM kit, RAAS-4a) is capable of reading band data from several

radios, including my Elecraft K3S.  For several years I have had a KPA-500

amplifier in line, working seamlessly with my K3S, band switching

automatically, etc.  In order to get band data for the new switch, I

installed the "Y" cable that came with the KPAK3AUX Cable set that I

purchased with the amp.  After installing the new switch, everything works

fine, with a couple of small "quirky" things.  For the past year or so, I

have had my amp set to automatically go into stand-by when I switch bands.

After installing the new switch, I noticed that when changing bands, the amp

no longer automatically goes to stand-by.  Furthermore, after making a band

change and transmitting for the first time on the new band (with the amp in

"operate" mode), the amp will drop out of "operate" shortly after keying up.

No error message or error beep happens, it just drops out.  After manually

putting the amp back in "operate" mode, everything was fine.  After I

noticed that, I just disabled the automatic switch to stand-by feature of

the KPA-500, and that took care of that.  Another interesting, and possibly

more significant, anomaly I noticed after installing the new switch is

according to the display on the amplifier, the amplifier is always on the 60

meter band, displaying "5.3 MHZ".  I normally only display the temperature

of the amplifier, but my son noticed this when he was operating from my

station and changed the display.  When he noticed this, we were operating a

special event station and had operated on most bands other than 60 meters

for quite some time with the amp apparently set for 60 meters, with no

obvious ill effects.

 

 

The designer of the switch says that each band data channel only draws

around 4 mA, with each channel buffered by a transistor switch in an attempt

to isolate the band data voltage from the radio.  In my working days in the

entertainment industry, I would use a distribution amp to give me multiple

audio outputs when needed.  Is there such a "distribution amp" available for

the band data signals?  Would the Elecraft KRC2 accomplish this? 

 

 

I appreciate any input offered on my situation.

 

 

73,

 

Ken, KJ9B

 

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