People talk about the extra current drain. How much is it? I don't have my K3 yet to make any tests and I seldom run QRP (only when the other station wants 2 way QRP), but it would be of interest to us all if anyone had measured the current draw of the K3 at receive with and without the KPA3, transmit at 5 watts without the KPA3 installed and transmit at 5 watts with the KPA3 installed. I am sure that Elecraft has the information, but I don' recall seeing it published. My guess is that the KPA3 does not require much if any current when it is switched out. Anybody do any tests to know for sure? --- Robert Tellefsen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Hi Julian > There is one drawback, however. > Increased current drain, even though the KPA3 > is not in use at QRP levels. If this isn't a > problem for you, then go right ahead. > However, if you want to take your K3 out to > the field for a Field Day operation, that > extra drain can create battery problems. > > Good luck and 73 > Bob N6WG > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "G4ILO" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <elecraft@mailman.qth.net> > Sent: Monday, March 17, 2008 1:55 AM > Subject: [Elecraft] KPA3 for QRP > > > > > > I run QRP out of practical necessity. I'm forced > to use attic > antennas and I > > don't wish to induce more RF into the domestic > electrical equipment > (or me, > > for that matter) than I absolutely have to. > > > > Nevertheless, I'm thinking about getting a KPA3, > because it probably > will > > never be cheaper than it is now, and the occasion > might arise in > future when > > I might be able to use it. > > > > I'm just wondering if there are any advantages to > using the PA when > running > > QRP. As I understand it, the PA is switched out of > circuit until you > dial > > the power above 10W, just as in the K2. There is > no option for class > A > > operation at a lower power level to produce a > cleaner signal. If I > run 10W > > of FM, the QRP PA will do all the work, and warm > up very quickly, > instead of > > letting the KPA3 do most of the work and barely > getting warm. If I > run 5W of > > PSK31, the IMD generated by the low power PA > running at half its > rated power > > will be higher than the KPA3 loafing along at the > same power level. > > > > Unless I'm missing something, there would be no > benefit to me at the > moment > > from having the KPA3 unless I want to wind the > power control above > 10W. Am I > > right? > > > > ----- > > Julian, G4ILO K3 s/n: 222 K2 s/n: 392 > > G4ILO's Shack: www.g4ilo.com > > Zerobeat Ham Forums: www.zerobeat.net/smf > > -- > > View this message in context: > http://www.nabble.com/KPA3-for-QRP-tp16091280p16091280.html > > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at > Nabble.com. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Elecraft mailing list > > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > > _______________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net > You must be a subscriber to post to the list. > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com > Willis 'Cookie' Cooke K5EWJ _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
