Re: [Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate
I don't want to belabor my problem (albeit a very minor one), but had the K3/KPA500/P3 on for maybe an hour or so just tuning the band. I heard a station on 17M SSB calling CQ and I answered him. Just like a few times before, I saw only low power out (only K3 drive power to KPA500) at first. I un-keyed for a second or so and then keyed up again and full power came out of KPA500. BTW, I even went so far as doing the routine that Kent, K9ZTV had detailed first when I turned everything on. No big deal here, but just an observation of what happens on occasion. I made another few Q's and everything was responding like expected. I am going to conclude this is an minor anomaly I can live with for now and truck on! Going to drive down to Array Solutions tomorrow to pick up a new play toy, so I will have my hands full then! - Roger W5RDW -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-Peculiar-behavior-no-power-output-on-Operate-tp7564452p7564717.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate
Update I just turned on the K3/KPA500/P3 as usual (KPA500 is OPER, not Standby) and listened to the band for awhile. I heard a strong station calling on 12 meters SSB from Scotland and gave him a call and noticed only the K3 was putting out power (probably 20 or so watts, the low drive I usually use to drive the KPA500). He answered me and I then came back to him on the OVER, but now, the K3/KPA500 was putting out 400-450 watts as normal. I now remember this has been the case a number of times before when I was initially at a low power out condition (expecting a high power out condition from the K3/KPA500) and then when I "goosed" it again, everything came up to normal. - Roger W5RDW -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-Peculiar-behavior-no-power-output-on-Operate-tp7564452p7564667.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
Re: [Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate
Has happened to me on a number of times (can't recall the number, but at least 6-8 times) since I purchased the amp. new (factory assembled, S/N 82, shipped 6/15/2011). Can't remember what I did to solve it. I usually panic and turn things on and off, etc. and the problem goes away. The back panel switch stays ON all the time. - Roger W5RDW -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-Peculiar-behavior-no-power-output-on-Operate-tp7564452p7564521.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
[Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate
Hi: I, too, am experiencing this exact problem, so, please add me to the list for a solution. My KPA500 operates wonderfully most of the time, but every once in while (perhaps one-in-ten Power-Ons), it has no "Operate" PA power even though the exciter asterick is normal and the "Standby" is normal. Parameters are as follows: KPA500, Serial 792 Exciter: Flex-3000 PWR Output: 50-Ohm Dummy Load or antenna (has no effect on PA function problem). PTT: manual switch (normal PWR asterick indicates exciter power regardless of whether PA is functioning or not). SWR LEDs Function normally except when no PA: no lights. Mode: SSB or AM HV= 74 in Standby, HV= 64 fwhen functioning normally with 100W carrier (I have not tested HV during the symptom yet, but will do so). PWR= 100W carrier (when functioning normally) Current= 5.5 (when functioning normally with 100W carrier) I hope this helps troubleshooting. 73 Hal KK6HY [Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate To:elecraft@mailman.qth.net Hi, this is IW0HQE, Alessandro, from Italy, a very happy owner of the superb K-line. I would like to report what I consider a minor issue/behavior of my KPA500 power amplifier. The amplifier is working flawlessly, and I am definately very satisfied with it. Only a very peculiar event happened a couple of times during the last week : when I turned on the amplifier and put it on Oper mode, when I begun my transmission the PTT triggered correctly (the * symbol appeared as well in the leftmost part of the display) but there was no power output at all. This was solved by simpli turning the amp OFF and then back online. I will now describe the event with further details : 1) I have owned the amplifier since 18/09/2012 (one month) and the event happened only two times during the last week. 2) The first time the event happened was right after my last K3 and P3 firmware upgrades. After upgrading both the devices, I then turned on the KPA500 to work a DX station and there was no power output; turning OFF and then back ON the amp solved it. 3) The second time the event happened was a couple of days later : I was listening to some DX stations and pileups for fun, then I needed the amplifier to make a few calls, I turned ON the rear panel switch, put the amp on OPER and then begun transmitting, but still no power output. Turning the amp OFF and then ON solved it. 4) Both times the event happened, the rear panel switch was turned ON from the OFF position. 5) Power drive 20 watts. CW mode. 6) Temperature reading at the moment of the event : 22-23 ?C. 7) SWR of my antenna on the band (15 meters the first time and 10 meters the second time) 1,3:1 or better. 8) HV : 74,3 9) Both the events happened after installation of Firmware Revision 04.51 and DSP 2.76. 10) I tried to turn off the amplifier after the second event without switching the real panel button in the OFF position, and the event never happened again. I cannot figure out if this is just a coincidence, but maybe it could be of some use to report it. I have seen this event, or some that have a strong resemblance have already been reported : http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA-500-no-RF-until-power-cycle-td7017734.html http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-No-power-out-in-quot-OPER-quot-mode-td7472228.html I have reported mine also, as suggested by W6FB, Jack Brindle, so that Elecraft could add this to the feedbacks already received, evaluate and (I hope) find out and solve this minor issue. Thank you for your attention. My very best regards. IW0HQE - Alessandro Merolli __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate
Hi Alessandro: I've been using a KPA500 for over a year now with my K3 / P3 equipment and not experienced the problem you described. In my case, I leave the rear panel switch "On" anytime I'm in the ham shack and then if I need to use the KPA500, I turn On the front panel switch - wait about 5 to 10 sec and then flip it to operate and its ready to transmit. Perhaps, someone from Elecraft could comment on whether there is a mandatory wait time between turning On the rear panel switch and turning On the front panel switch (either in standby or operate) in order to allow the internal processor time to properly initialize. 73, Doug VE3MV - Original Message - From: "iw0hqe" To: Sent: Monday, October 22, 2012 9:14 AM Subject: [Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate > Hi, this is IW0HQE, Alessandro, from Italy, a very happy owner of the > superb > K-line. > > I would like to report what I consider a minor issue/behavior of my KPA500 > power amplifier. > > The amplifier is working flawlessly, and I am definately very satisfied > with > it. Only a very peculiar event happened a couple of times during the last > week : when I turned on the amplifier and put it on Oper mode, when I > begun > my transmission the PTT triggered correctly (the * symbol appeared as well > in the leftmost part of the display) but there was no power output at all. > This was solved by simpli turning the amp OFF and then back online. I will > now describe the event with further details : > > 1) I have owned the amplifier since 18/09/2012 (one month) and the event > happened only two times during the last week. > > 2) The first time the event happened was right after my last K3 and P3 > firmware upgrades. After upgrading both the devices, I then turned on the > KPA500 to work a DX station and there was no power output; turning OFF and > then back ON the amp solved it. > > 3) The second time the event happened was a couple of days later : I was > listening to some DX stations and pileups for fun, then I needed the > amplifier to make a few calls, I turned ON the rear panel switch, put the > amp on OPER and then begun transmitting, but still no power output. > Turning > the amp OFF and then ON solved it. > > 4) Both times the event happened, the rear panel switch was turned ON from > the OFF position. > > 5) Power drive 20 watts. CW mode. > > 6) Temperature reading at the moment of the event : 22-23 °C. > > 7) SWR of my antenna on the band (15 meters the first time and 10 meters > the > second time) 1,3:1 or better. > > 8) HV : 74,3 > > 9) Both the events happened after installation of Firmware Revision 04.51 > and DSP 2.76. > > 10) I tried to turn off the amplifier after the second event without > switching the real panel button in the OFF position, and the event never > happened again. I cannot figure out if this is just a coincidence, but > maybe > it could be of some use to report it. > > I have seen this event, or some that have a strong resemblance have > already > been reported : > > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA-500-no-RF-until-power-cycle-td7017734.html > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-No-power-out-in-quot-OPER-quot-mode-td7472228.html > > I have reported mine also, as suggested by W6FB, Jack Brindle, so that > Elecraft could add this to the feedbacks already received, evaluate and (I > hope) find out and solve this minor issue. > > Thank you for your attention. My very best regards. > > IW0HQE - Alessandro Merolli > > > > -- > View this message in context: > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-Peculiar-behavior-no-power-output-on-Operate-tp7564452.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate
Does the amp show HV=80 V when switched to xmit? If not reposition the interlock switch and make sure the screw and nuts of the "plunger" to activiate it are tight and correct. 73 de Brian/K3KO On 10/22/2012 13:41, Roger Dallimore wrote: > Hello Alessandro, > > This has happened with my amp from new, Elecraft support (Jack Brindle) > have been working with myself and one or two others with this problem > for a solution. I'm sure he will soon be in touch after you have > contacted him. > > You might find that when changing bands, this corrects this problem also. > > 73 > Roger MW0IDX KPA500 #268 > > On 22/10/2012 14:14, iw0hqe wrote: >> Hi, this is IW0HQE, Alessandro, from Italy, a very happy owner of the superb >> K-line. >> >> I would like to report what I consider a minor issue/behavior of my KPA500 >> power amplifier. >> >> The amplifier is working flawlessly, and I am definately very satisfied with >> it. Only a very peculiar event happened a couple of times during the last >> week : when I turned on the amplifier and put it on Oper mode, when I begun >> my transmission the PTT triggered correctly (the * symbol appeared as well >> in the leftmost part of the display) but there was no power output at all. >> This was solved by simpli turning the amp OFF and then back online. I will >> now describe the event with further details : >> >> 1) I have owned the amplifier since 18/09/2012 (one month) and the event >> happened only two times during the last week. >> >> 2) The first time the event happened was right after my last K3 and P3 >> firmware upgrades. After upgrading both the devices, I then turned on the >> KPA500 to work a DX station and there was no power output; turning OFF and >> then back ON the amp solved it. >> >> 3) The second time the event happened was a couple of days later : I was >> listening to some DX stations and pileups for fun, then I needed the >> amplifier to make a few calls, I turned ON the rear panel switch, put the >> amp on OPER and then begun transmitting, but still no power output. Turning >> the amp OFF and then ON solved it. >> >> 4) Both times the event happened, the rear panel switch was turned ON from >> the OFF position. >> >> 5) Power drive 20 watts. CW mode. >> >> 6) Temperature reading at the moment of the event : 22-23 °C. >> >> 7) SWR of my antenna on the band (15 meters the first time and 10 meters the >> second time) 1,3:1 or better. >> >> 8) HV : 74,3 >> >> 9) Both the events happened after installation of Firmware Revision 04.51 >> and DSP 2.76. >> >> 10) I tried to turn off the amplifier after the second event without >> switching the real panel button in the OFF position, and the event never >> happened again. I cannot figure out if this is just a coincidence, but maybe >> it could be of some use to report it. >> >> I have seen this event, or some that have a strong resemblance have already >> been reported : >> >> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA-500-no-RF-until-power-cycle-td7017734.html >> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-No-power-out-in-quot-OPER-quot-mode-td7472228.html >> >> I have reported mine also, as suggested by W6FB, Jack Brindle, so that >> Elecraft could add this to the feedbacks already received, evaluate and (I >> hope) find out and solve this minor issue. >> >> Thank you for your attention. My very best regards. >> >> IW0HQE - Alessandro Merolli >> >> >> >> -- >> View this message in context: >> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-Peculiar-behavior-no-power-output-on-Operate-tp7564452.html >> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 > > __ > 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 > > - > No virus found in this message. > Checked by AVG - www.avg.com > Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5347 - Release Date: 10/22/12 > - No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5347 - Release Date: 10/22/12 __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate
Hello Alessandro, This has happened with my amp from new, Elecraft support (Jack Brindle) have been working with myself and one or two others with this problem for a solution. I'm sure he will soon be in touch after you have contacted him. You might find that when changing bands, this corrects this problem also. 73 Roger MW0IDX KPA500 #268 On 22/10/2012 14:14, iw0hqe wrote: > Hi, this is IW0HQE, Alessandro, from Italy, a very happy owner of the superb > K-line. > > I would like to report what I consider a minor issue/behavior of my KPA500 > power amplifier. > > The amplifier is working flawlessly, and I am definately very satisfied with > it. Only a very peculiar event happened a couple of times during the last > week : when I turned on the amplifier and put it on Oper mode, when I begun > my transmission the PTT triggered correctly (the * symbol appeared as well > in the leftmost part of the display) but there was no power output at all. > This was solved by simpli turning the amp OFF and then back online. I will > now describe the event with further details : > > 1) I have owned the amplifier since 18/09/2012 (one month) and the event > happened only two times during the last week. > > 2) The first time the event happened was right after my last K3 and P3 > firmware upgrades. After upgrading both the devices, I then turned on the > KPA500 to work a DX station and there was no power output; turning OFF and > then back ON the amp solved it. > > 3) The second time the event happened was a couple of days later : I was > listening to some DX stations and pileups for fun, then I needed the > amplifier to make a few calls, I turned ON the rear panel switch, put the > amp on OPER and then begun transmitting, but still no power output. Turning > the amp OFF and then ON solved it. > > 4) Both times the event happened, the rear panel switch was turned ON from > the OFF position. > > 5) Power drive 20 watts. CW mode. > > 6) Temperature reading at the moment of the event : 22-23 °C. > > 7) SWR of my antenna on the band (15 meters the first time and 10 meters the > second time) 1,3:1 or better. > > 8) HV : 74,3 > > 9) Both the events happened after installation of Firmware Revision 04.51 > and DSP 2.76. > > 10) I tried to turn off the amplifier after the second event without > switching the real panel button in the OFF position, and the event never > happened again. I cannot figure out if this is just a coincidence, but maybe > it could be of some use to report it. > > I have seen this event, or some that have a strong resemblance have already > been reported : > > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA-500-no-RF-until-power-cycle-td7017734.html > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-No-power-out-in-quot-OPER-quot-mode-td7472228.html > > I have reported mine also, as suggested by W6FB, Jack Brindle, so that > Elecraft could add this to the feedbacks already received, evaluate and (I > hope) find out and solve this minor issue. > > Thank you for your attention. My very best regards. > > IW0HQE - Alessandro Merolli > > > > -- > View this message in context: > http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-Peculiar-behavior-no-power-output-on-Operate-tp7564452.html > Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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 __ 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
[Elecraft] [KPA500] Peculiar behavior : no power output on Operate
Hi, this is IW0HQE, Alessandro, from Italy, a very happy owner of the superb K-line. I would like to report what I consider a minor issue/behavior of my KPA500 power amplifier. The amplifier is working flawlessly, and I am definately very satisfied with it. Only a very peculiar event happened a couple of times during the last week : when I turned on the amplifier and put it on Oper mode, when I begun my transmission the PTT triggered correctly (the * symbol appeared as well in the leftmost part of the display) but there was no power output at all. This was solved by simpli turning the amp OFF and then back online. I will now describe the event with further details : 1) I have owned the amplifier since 18/09/2012 (one month) and the event happened only two times during the last week. 2) The first time the event happened was right after my last K3 and P3 firmware upgrades. After upgrading both the devices, I then turned on the KPA500 to work a DX station and there was no power output; turning OFF and then back ON the amp solved it. 3) The second time the event happened was a couple of days later : I was listening to some DX stations and pileups for fun, then I needed the amplifier to make a few calls, I turned ON the rear panel switch, put the amp on OPER and then begun transmitting, but still no power output. Turning the amp OFF and then ON solved it. 4) Both times the event happened, the rear panel switch was turned ON from the OFF position. 5) Power drive 20 watts. CW mode. 6) Temperature reading at the moment of the event : 22-23 °C. 7) SWR of my antenna on the band (15 meters the first time and 10 meters the second time) 1,3:1 or better. 8) HV : 74,3 9) Both the events happened after installation of Firmware Revision 04.51 and DSP 2.76. 10) I tried to turn off the amplifier after the second event without switching the real panel button in the OFF position, and the event never happened again. I cannot figure out if this is just a coincidence, but maybe it could be of some use to report it. I have seen this event, or some that have a strong resemblance have already been reported : http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA-500-no-RF-until-power-cycle-td7017734.html http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-No-power-out-in-quot-OPER-quot-mode-td7472228.html I have reported mine also, as suggested by W6FB, Jack Brindle, so that Elecraft could add this to the feedbacks already received, evaluate and (I hope) find out and solve this minor issue. Thank you for your attention. My very best regards. IW0HQE - Alessandro Merolli -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/KPA500-Peculiar-behavior-no-power-output-on-Operate-tp7564452.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.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
