This morning I put my DL2K dummy load right on the KPA1500 amp output (tried both ANT1 and ANT2)…I am still seeing the same SWR anomaly, where lower drive levels are giving high SWR readings on the KPA1500 display. By putting the dummy load right at the KPA1500 output, I eliminated a bunch of coax cables and switchboxes.
So at this point the issue appears to be one internal to the KPA1500. Also appears to be not related to any previously-known high power RF causes, as in my case the problem is there at low drive levels and goes away at maximum drive/RF out. So I remain puzzled. --Ed, N3CW— Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Larry (K8UT) Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 9:33 PM To: ed.n...@gmail.com; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re[2]: [Elecraft] KPA1500 Operation on 6 Meters Ed, Your dummy load choices at 1500 watts range from expensive and good (Bird) to cheap and not-so-good. For example the MFJ-264 is listed as handling 1500 watts but if you read the fine print (the derating curve printed on its case ) you're limited to 8 seconds at 1500 watts. And each time you stress that dummy load its resistor value climbs by a few ohms. Frustrated with the commercial options available, I built a dummy load using a huge heatsink from a salvage VHF transmitter and a series/parallel combination of four 50 ohm 250 watt resistors purchased on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1PCS-Anaren-RFP-250-50RM-RFP250-50-RF-Power-Flanged-Resistors-250-Watts-50-ohm/133028134252?hash=item1ef9183d6c:g:uHQAAOSwyFhcvsvw -larry (K8UT) ------ Original Message ------ From: "Ed G" <ed.n...@gmail.com> To: "Larry (K8UT)" <k...@charter.net>; "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <Elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: 2020-06-15 10:57:32 AM Subject: RE: [Elecraft] KPA1500 Operation on 6 Meters Hi Larry, Yes, exact same problem is there with a known good dummy load in place of the Steppir yagi I normally use. --Ed— Sent from Mail for Windows 10 From: Larry (K8UT) Sent: Monday, June 15, 2020 10:09 AM To: Ed G; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 Operation on 6 Meters Ed, Not seeing that here. SWR value unchanged at 10, 20, 30, 35 watts of drive. Suggest you test into a dummy load to see if the problem goes away, which would suggest some issue with power level into the feedline or antenna. -larry (K8UT) ------ Original Message ------ From: "Ed G" <ed.n...@gmail.com> To: "elecraft@mailman.qth.net" <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> Sent: 2020-06-15 9:48:55 AM Subject: [Elecraft] KPA1500 Operation on 6 Meters >Folks, > I am trying to understand some odd KPA1500 operation on 6 meters. When >setting the power output of my K3 to give varying amounts of drive to the >KPA1500, I am seeing SWR as displayed on the KPA1500 changing by a significant >amount depending on the drive level. This is with the KPA1500 tuner bypassed. >An LP-100A on the output of the KPA1500 is also used and displays the correct >low SWR at all drive levels that I would expect to be seeing on the KPA1500 >display. > For example, with 5 watts drive from the K3, I see 1.3 SWR on the >LP-100, and 2.5:1 on the KPA1500 display. As I increase drive, the KPA1500 >SWR display goes down proportionally, until I get to about 40 watts drive. At >the 40 watt drive level, I am seeing a nice healthy 1600 watts output, and >both the LP-100 and the KPA1500 are showing the same 1.3 SWR. 15 watts drive >shows 1.3 on the LP100 and 2.0:1 on the KPA1500 display. So I am not sure why >the SWR sensing and display in the KPA1500 is behaving this way? I do not see >this oddity on any other bands. > I might also add that attempting to get the KPA1500 internal tuner to >bring down the high SWR as seen on the KPA1500 results in a drop in SWR >displayed on the KPA1500 to where SWR almost equals that on the LP-100, but >using the tuner I would expect that to be even better. >--Ed— > > > > >-- >This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. >https://www.avast.com/antivirus >______________________________________________________________ >Elecraft mailing list >Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > >This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >Message delivered to k...@charter.net Virus-free. www.avast.com ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
