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

[dgb]

Yes agreed. I learned dearly after 36000 digital qso's.

I received useful advice from Fabio ik6zer that may help alleviate 
further problems, thank you Fabio.

Email me off the list for that info.

73 Dwight NS9I


On 11/21/2019 9:42 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> Amps mailing list
> Amps at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
>