Hello Kevin,
At present, I am using BETA v2.2.2
I have run most versions, but not all. All versions that I have used show it
at the bottom center of "Hardware config" under General tab.
Hope this helps.
73, Bruce, W8HW
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kevin Hobbs" <ve...@cogeco.ca>
To: "'W8HW'" <w...@att.net>
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 2:15 PM
Subject: RE: [Flexradio] You have asked another good question
Hi
I don't see fan temp threshold ... where? Runnung V2.1.5 here.
73 Kevin
-----Original Message-----
From: flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz
[mailto:flexradio-boun...@flex-radio.biz] On Behalf Of W8HW
Sent: September-05-11 12:12 PM
To: FlexRadio@flex-radio.biz
Subject: [Flexradio] You have asked another good question
Hello Mike,
You have asked another good question (below)
The thing to remember is that the bias setting is typical of most ham
radios, this is because it is needed to operate class AB1 or AB2 for SSB.
WHILE IT WOULD BE NICE to be able to change the bias (lower or shut of
resting current) for CW contest, Flex does not give us the control to
change
class of the finals to B or C. The good news is that Flex has a very
strong
and well built set of finals and will last many years. Much better than
just
about all radios on the market today.
If you wish to increase the air movement for contest or other long
transmissions, click on setup, then under tab "general", the tab "Hardware
Config" you will see "Fan Temp threshold". From the factory it is set at
40c
to start fans (slow speed). For Contest or other high use time, you can
consider setting it at 30c. This almost runs the fans (slow speed) all of
the time. It is great for operating CW or RTTY contest. I recommend
setting
it back to 40c for normal use.
Again, the Flex has one of the best set of finals you will find. It is
tough. Flex makes a great radio. I know of none better.
73, Bruce, W8HW, w...@att.net
I operate Flex and fix the rest
I repair two way radios including ham radios
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike" <mi...@m0aws.co.uk>
To: "W8HW" <w...@att.net>
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 10:47 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] 58 Degrees and rising ....
Hi Bruce,
Perhaps I would be better off running my F3K at very low power and then
using my amp to give me the full 100w
output, currently I've just been using the F3K barefoot, can't remember
the last time I switched the amp on
actually!!
I'm normally operate CW so the unit doesn't get as hot as when I am
running WSPR.
How would you suggest I add some extra cooling to the F3K?
Looking inside the unit I see two small fans over what looks like the PA
block and the underside of the heatsink,
not a lot of space for adding additional fans?
I've used Peltier Heat Pumps in professional environments in the past to
control device temperature, perhaps this would
be a good option for the F3K, although they do require a fair current to
make them operate well.
Cheers!
Mike.
On 05/09/11 14:26, W8HW wrote:
Hello Mike
I have some numbers for you.
The PA will run full power to 100 C at which point it will cut itself
to
25% of indicated drive level. You can set the temp at which the fans
go
to high, Adding some extra cooling will help also, as the fan slow
down when not transmitting, normally we listen more than we transmit.
I did a test. I turned off both mic gain (to zero) and power out to zero
as well. Then I keyed the MOX and watched the temp rise. With fan
running, the temp went up to 49.1c (120.38f). That is when I shut the TX
down. Remember that is with FAN RUNNING and only resting current (no
power out). That means that during times of CW, I am not only generating
heat during the dits and dashes, but also in between because of resting
current. Removing 28 watts final and perhaps 14 watts of driver heat
will
help.
I have been reducing my output to 80%, but it would be nice to feel good
about running full 100watts during a contest. Many contest have the
rules
at 150 watts (not 100w) so can be at a disadvantage even at 100%.
Remember in a (pile up) as little as 1db makes a big difference. Most RF
men who do not work pile ups, forget that. If you have three people in
the same pile up, the guy with only 1db better signal is the one who
gets
answered first. In contest or DX that is a BIG deal. Those are the
numbers.
Hope this helps. Let me know.
73, Bruce, W8HW
I repair two way radios including ham radios
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike" <mi...@m0aws.co.uk>
To: "W8HW" <w...@att.net>
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: [Flexradio] 58 Degrees and rising ....
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for the reply.
So what is a safe temperature for the finals to get to???
Is 60c too hot?? Should I configure PSDR to bring the fans on earlier
or perhaps have the fans running all the time?
The PSU shows an 8A draw at 5w, a lot of current for such a small O/P!!
Mike.
On 05/09/11 13:00, W8HW wrote:
Yes it can be normal. The bias of the finals (and drivers) are such
that even if you were to MUTE all audio and key the transmitter lots
of
heat is generated. This happens even if you see no power out, Try this
some time, turn your audio all the way down and key your transmitter.
Note that the current from your 12v power supply jumps up. If you were
to leave the transmitter keyed, the temp of the final rises and your
fans will start to run. Because bias (causing resting final current)
results in no power out thus it is ALL heat.
73, Bruce, W8HW
I repair two way radios including ham radios
----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike" <mi...@m0aws.co.uk>
To: <flexradio@flex-radio.biz>
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 5:49 AM
Subject: [Flexradio] 58 Degrees and rising ....
Hi All,
I have a quick question for you all ....
I ran an over night WSPR session on the 40m band last night with just
5w of O/P from my F3K.
I was somewhat surprised to see the temperature of the PA being
reported to be at 58 degrees C and at times over 60 degrees C.
Is this normal when running at such low power levels?
The fans were set to come on at 40 degrees C thus they were on a heck
of a lot!
What is the max working temperature of the PA in the F3K?
or put another way, at what temperature do I need to shut things off
to stop them going pop!!
The F3K was running at 13.8v from my Diamond GSV3000 PSU as always.
I had WSPR set to 20% TX and 80% RX.
Mike.
M0AWS
http://www.m0aws.co.uk
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