Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
For completeness and to close this thread, here is a portion of the report on the repair of my KAT500 (now in motion and will be here Fri, about 2.5 week turnaround). Mine is #257, one of the earliest (kit) made. /*Repair report for KAT500 S/N 0257 RSA # */ *Reported problem(s):* * Arcing between green jumper wires damaged wires and adjacent PCB. *Problem(s) found:* * The green wires were damaged as well as a trace on the PCB. *Update(s) performed:* * Removed R63. Unused TX-inhibit. * Replaced Q1 & Q2. (Diode protected transistors for RS232 circuit.) * Installed zip ties on inductors L5-L8. * Replaced R17. * Moved the BB jumper to bottom of the PCB. *Repair(s) performed:* * Replaced damaged jumpers and moved one (BB) to the bottom of the PCB. * Repaired damaged trace with a small jumper. * Replaced rubber feet on bottom of unit. The invoice shows that I'm getting a KHAT (free) with one hour of shop time and a nominal shipping fee billed (plus a second Aux cable so I can extend to 6' making the shack more user friendly). Well done Elecraft! Rick wa6nhc On 7/20/2018 8:30 AM, ab2tc wrote: Hi again, I forgot to mention that lots of other people, maybe most users, do use high power and will be interested to know if there is an arcing risk in their tuners, and what can be done about it. AB2TC - Knut ab2tc wrote Hi Rick, I am curious as to what mods you had performed: "It is repaired, UPDATED with all current mods (including moving the wires that arced to a different configuration) and is undergoing rigorous testing." I am running barefoot so arcing is not likely and I do not have any immediate plans to get an amp, but I wasn't aware there were any mods done to it. AB2TC - Knut -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.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 Message delivered to wa6...@gmail.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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
Let us not forget that it is, in the end, a business decision, not a technical one. I really want to see Elecraft remain in business and thrive. How much of a KPA1500 could be configured as a kit is a big question, and when you market kits, you have to increase your support, technical writing, engineering, and logistics staff. Marketing a kit that can be successfully built by Average Ham is a much bigger deal than marketing a tested product. 73, Fred ["Skip"] K6DGW Sparks NV DM09dn Washoe County On 7/20/2018 4:06 PM, Randy Farmer wrote: At Ham-Com in July David Shoaf gave a very interesting presentation that included a section on how the KPA1500 is tested and burned in. Both the power supplies are burned in and then the assembled amplifiers are burned in. Given the power levels involved and the amazingly comprehensive burn in process I don't see any way a kit-built unit could be practical that would ensure meeting the specs. If and when I get mine I'll opt for a factory-built version even if a kit is available. 73... Randy, W8FN On 7/20/2018 11:01 AM, Charlie T wrote: Any thought on when (or if) a kit version of the 1500 watt amp will be available? 73, Charlie k3ICH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
At Ham-Com in July David Shoaf gave a very interesting presentation that included a section on how the KPA1500 is tested and burned in. Both the power supplies are burned in and then the assembled amplifiers are burned in. Given the power levels involved and the amazingly comprehensive burn in process I don't see any way a kit-built unit could be practical that would ensure meeting the specs. If and when I get mine I'll opt for a factory-built version even if a kit is available. 73... Randy, W8FN On 7/20/2018 11:01 AM, Charlie T wrote: Any thought on when (or if) a kit version of the 1500 watt amp will be available? 73, Charlie k3ICH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
Oh well, I can understand that. Just trying save a buck. Guess I'll wait until someone gets tired of theirs. I have a yuge QRO brand amp which runs a couple 4CX800A's that I may consider offering as a trade + $$. Another possibility would be a swap for a PW-1, a Quadra, or something similar like one of the SPE SS amps etc. I just plain don't have room for this amp. It's 20" X 19" X 9" and weighs about 90 pounds! I could bring it to the Berryville Hamfest on 5 AUG if I can work out something. 73, Charlie k3ICH -Original Message- From: markmus...@sbcglobal.net Sent: Friday, July 20, 2018 4:59 PM To: 'Charlie T' ; elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: RE: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect Hi Charlie, Last I heard, I believe it was a message from Eric here on the reflector, that they were leaning toward not offering a kit. 73, Mark, WB9CIF __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
Hi Charlie, Last I heard, I believe it was a message from Eric here on the reflector, that they were leaning toward not offering a kit. 73, Mark, WB9CIF -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net On Behalf Of Charlie T Sent: Friday, July 20, 2018 4:01 PM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect Any thought on when (or if) a kit version of the 1500 watt amp will be available? 73, Charlie k3ICH __ 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 markmus...@sbcglobal.net __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
Any thought on when (or if) a kit version of the 1500 watt amp will be available? 73, Charlie k3ICH __ 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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
Hi Knut, Mine is one of the early models (#257), purchased not long after they became available and it's never gone home before (kit version). There are two jumpers on the the top of the board (#12 wire?) that cross(ed) each other and arced, causing damage. Now one of the wires is running under the board so there can be no physical contact. My take was that this issue had happened before, now it can't, I didn't ask. I wasn't given details but some resistors have been swapped and similar changes but it wasn't explained in detail on the phone. As with other Elecraft products, some changes happen throughout the life of the product, so yours may already have the updates. Mine will return being updated to current specs and mods (plus the PC traces repaired, spatter from the jumpers arcing burned the board and some trace). Once the arcing started, the tuner couldn't take >300 watts, so barefoot won't be an issue. The internal K3 tuner works well too, a consideration until you go QRO. 73, Rick nhc On 7/20/2018 8:18 AM, ab2tc wrote: Hi Rick, I am curious as to what mods you had performed: "It is repaired, UPDATED with all current mods (including moving the wires that arced to a different configuration) and is undergoing rigorous testing." I am running barefoot so arcing is not likely and I do not have any immediate plans to get an amp, but I wasn't aware there were any mods done to it. AB2TC - Knut Rick WA6NHC-2 wrote My KAT500 had an arc between two jumpers atop the PC board, in the middle of the KH1 DXpedition rendering it inoperable. I had to switch to a manual tuner and switching arrangement (ugh!) while I sent it to Elecraft. Some of the damage was a burned PC board and traces as well as the two jumper cables. I received a phone call this morning from the tech working on it. It is repaired, UPDATED with all current mods (including moving the wires that arced to a different configuration) and is undergoing rigorous testing. It will be shipped in a couple days. Total bill to me: ONE hour of shop time. Faced with possible replacement, this price alone is well worth it but when you add that it's been updated, priceless. I have to retrain it to the antennas; no problem, I saved the configuration and expected this to happen. I'll run through retraining anyway. I tell most folks that if they do me right; I'll sing your praises to high heaven. Do me wrong and I'll make sure there is NO place you can hide. Elecraft: Once again, you've done good. Thank you. THIS is the business model to follow. Rick WA6NHC -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.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 Message delivered to wa6...@gmail.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
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
Hi again, I forgot to mention that lots of other people, maybe most users, do use high power and will be interested to know if there is an arcing risk in their tuners, and what can be done about it. AB2TC - Knut ab2tc wrote > Hi Rick, > > I am curious as to what mods you had performed: > > "It is repaired, UPDATED with all current mods (including moving the wires > that > arced to a different configuration) and is undergoing rigorous testing." > > I am running barefoot so arcing is not likely and I do not have any > immediate plans to get an amp, but I wasn't aware there were any mods done > to it. > > AB2TC - Knut > -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
Hi Rick, I am curious as to what mods you had performed: "It is repaired, UPDATED with all current mods (including moving the wires that arced to a different configuration) and is undergoing rigorous testing." I am running barefoot so arcing is not likely and I do not have any immediate plans to get an amp, but I wasn't aware there were any mods done to it. AB2TC - Knut Rick WA6NHC-2 wrote > My KAT500 had an arc between two jumpers atop the PC board, in the > middle of the KH1 DXpedition rendering it inoperable. I had to switch to > a manual tuner and switching arrangement (ugh!) while I sent it to > Elecraft. > > Some of the damage was a burned PC board and traces as well as the two > jumper cables. > > I received a phone call this morning from the tech working on it. It is > repaired, UPDATED with all current mods (including moving the wires that > arced to a different configuration) and is undergoing rigorous testing. > It will be shipped in a couple days. > > Total bill to me: ONE hour of shop time. Faced with possible > replacement, this price alone is well worth it but when you add that > it's been updated, priceless. > > I have to retrain it to the antennas; no problem, I saved the > configuration and expected this to happen. I'll run through retraining > anyway. > > > I tell most folks that if they do me right; I'll sing your praises to > high heaven. Do me wrong and I'll make sure there is NO place you can > hide. > > Elecraft: Once again, you've done good. Thank you. THIS is the > business model to follow. > > > Rick WA6NHC > -- Sent from: http://elecraft.365791.n2.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Elecraft earns yet more respect
My KAT500 had an arc between two jumpers atop the PC board, in the middle of the KH1 DXpedition rendering it inoperable. I had to switch to a manual tuner and switching arrangement (ugh!) while I sent it to Elecraft. Some of the damage was a burned PC board and traces as well as the two jumper cables. I received a phone call this morning from the tech working on it. It is repaired, UPDATED with all current mods (including moving the wires that arced to a different configuration) and is undergoing rigorous testing. It will be shipped in a couple days. Total bill to me: ONE hour of shop time. Faced with possible replacement, this price alone is well worth it but when you add that it's been updated, priceless. I have to retrain it to the antennas; no problem, I saved the configuration and expected this to happen. I'll run through retraining anyway. I tell most folks that if they do me right; I'll sing your praises to high heaven. Do me wrong and I'll make sure there is NO place you can hide. Elecraft: Once again, you've done good. Thank you. THIS is the business model to follow. Rick WA6NHC __ 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
