[Amps] K3 Drive Levels and the SPE 1.3K-FA

[Richard Solomon]

I thought SPE did ship their Amps
for use in the USA with the proper
attenuator installed.

At least it's the proper one to comply
with FCC regulations.

I drive my SPE 1.3K-FA with about
30 Watts from my FTDX-5000MP.

Neither one has complained so far.

It seems to me the issue is with the
KX3 and not the SPE.

73, Dick, W1KSZ

On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 9:25 AM Joe Subich, W4TV <lists at subich.com> wrote:

>
> It would be more appropriate if SPE shipped their amplifiers to
> the US with the proper attenuator in place.  That way one would
> be running the K3/K3s at 30 Watts in the first place.
>
> 73,
>
>     ... Joe, W4TV
>
>
> On 2019-11-21 10:42 AM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
> > I have operated RTTY with my K3S in the 11 watt range not knowing that
> > this was bad for the LPAs. It would be nice if the Elecraft K3/K3S would
> > allow the option to turn on the 100 watt power amp and a lower power
> > setting.
> >
> > John KK9A
> >
> > dgb ns9i wrote:
> >
> > I run a lot of rtty and digital with my K3. I always set the amp to the
> > mid range getting 8-900w out. It takes only 8-11 w drive from the K3 to
> > accomplish that.
> >
> > Note: SPE recommends to run the amp in Mid Range for digital operation.
> > When I first got the amp I made the mistake of running it in the high
> > range and melted the copper heat sink, which was not considered a
> > warranty repair, and was an expensive lesson learned.
> >
> > Over the  course of the 3 yrs. that I've owned the amp,  I have blown 4
> > LPA's in the K3 running it at 8-11w. With latest repair the tech
> > informed me that the "LPA is not rated for continuous duty at upper
> > power levels (like the digital Modes)" They suggested running 13w vs 11w
> > so the LPA wouldn't be used. If I do that it over-drives the SPE in the
> > mid-range.
> >
> > What is my suggested recourse?
> >
> > thanks 73 Dwight NS9I
> >
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