[Amps] SPE 2K-FA amplifier duty cycle

[Mike Tubby]

Please take the following with a "pinch of salt" (or whatever caution 
you prefer)...

I cannot speak for the SPE 2K-FA but I have used an SPE 1K-FA in WPX two 
years on the bounce.

At UK licensed power levels, ie. about 500W in the shack and 400W PEP at 
the antenna, it will go all day although with heavy CQ calling the fans 
run a lot!  Testing at the 1KW output level in to a Bird dummy load with 
the same pretty compressed SSB signal and aggressive duty cycle (75% TX; 
25% RX) we found that the amplifier folded back to the mid power setting 
where it was happier and indicated a heatsink temperature of 70C (which 
I think is too high).

Our conclusion was that this amplifier is beautifully made, has loads of 
features and is excellent in normal SSB use (eg. DX-ing, Rag-chew, etc) 
but is somewhat under-cooled for heavy-weight contesting - this perhaps 
also suggests that it is similar for high duty cycle modes such as RTTY?

My experience is with the smaller 1K-FA - the 2K-FA may be different and 
YMMV.


Mike G8TIC




On 18/05/2015 06:57, Bill Turner wrote:
> I'm thinking of getting an SPE 2K-FA amplifier and I have a question
> about duty cycle at full power.
>
> I understand it will run full 1500 watts on SSB and CW, but not so on
> RTTY, at least not brick on the key mode. After a certain period of
> operation it will cut back to a lower power level.
>
> My question is how long will it run at 1500 watts carrier before
> cutting back?
>
> All comments welcome.
>
> 73, Bill W6WRT
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