Re: [Elecraft] K2 and KPA100
Robert, That statement is not a consideration for the KPA100 or without the KPA100. The additional mic gain *may* be required for *some* microphones - most notably those with Heil HC4 or HC5 elements which have about 10 dB less output than most other ham microphones. Other low output dynamic microphones may also need ampliication. Note that the additional amplification is needed for these microphones whether or not the KPA100 is installed. If the microphone is an electret type element (needing the bias resistor), then additional mic gain is not required. Check on 10 meters using a dummy load - I suggest setting the compression (SSBC menu parameter) to 3:1. Set the K2 to display ALC - if any bars are illuminated, you have adequate mic gain. Do not overdrive the mic input unless you want to create the "CB" syndrome of "All Controls Full Right" and have your ham neighbor endure the resulting splatter. 73, Don W3FPR Robert Wood wrote: > > K0WA comment on SSB for the K2 is right on - the KPA100 will work better if > the K2 is reworked by the owner on the SSB board/input > > 73 Robert > > __ 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] K2 and KPA100
The KPA100 is a "Must have" addition for the K2 K0WA comment on SSB for the K2 is right on - the KPA100 will work better if the K2 is reworked by the owner on the SSB board/input 73 Robert - Original Message - From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" To: "'Gary D Krause'" ; "'Elecraft Reflector'" Sent: Tuesday, October 20, 2009 4:26 PM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 and KPA100 Lee K0WA wrote: I would suggest also, that you build a small 10 db audio amplifier to help drive the K2 a little harder with your mic. You can use a 2N amplifier and run it off 9 volt battery. Works quite well for me and helps give a little more to the SSB signal. Remember, don't over drive, but the amp will help. That is my story and I am sticking with it. - That was true for me using a dynamic mic with the K2 in either QRP or QRO configuration, but switching to a electret element fixed that. Once you have enough audio to make the ALC respond, you have all the audio your rig can use. More just risks distortion as Lee points out. If you're using SSB with your basic K2 now and are happy with the results, you won't need any more audio when running the KPA100. It just amplifies the RF. It has nothing to do with the audio. Ron AC7AC __ 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] K2 and KPA100
Lee K0WA wrote: I would suggest also, that you build a small 10 db audio amplifier to help drive the K2 a little harder with your mic. You can use a 2N amplifier and run it off 9 volt battery. Works quite well for me and helps give a little more to the SSB signal. Remember, don't over drive, but the amp will help. That is my story and I am sticking with it. - That was true for me using a dynamic mic with the K2 in either QRP or QRO configuration, but switching to a electret element fixed that. Once you have enough audio to make the ALC respond, you have all the audio your rig can use. More just risks distortion as Lee points out. If you're using SSB with your basic K2 now and are happy with the results, you won't need any more audio when running the KPA100. It just amplifies the RF. It has nothing to do with the audio. Ron AC7AC __ 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] K2 and KPA100
Yep. It works great, no pain no strain no hassle of any sort. It drops off line as the power is reduced back into the range of the basic K2. If you have your K2 set up with the battery pack and/or KAT2 mounted in the top cover, going "QRP" with the battery or tuner installed is an fast, easy swap of tops. The KPA100 unplugs and comes off with ease and the original K2 top goes on in its place. Takes about two minutes to do the swap. Some fellows who don't want to touch anything but cables to take their K2/100 into the field as a QRP rig have mounted their KPA100 into an external enclosure. There are application notes and information on how to do that on the Elecraft web site. Ron AC7AC -Original Message- ...I am now considering installing the KPA100. I would like to get some feedback from those of you that have the KPA100 and what your experience has been with it. Does it meet your expectations? Thanks, Gary, N7HTS __ 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] K2 and KPA100
Gary: I couldn't be happier with my K2/100. It went together easily and has performed flawlessly in the month or so I have had it. You really lose nothing by installing it, as you can still turn the power down to whatever level you chose. On air reports have been excellent and the only limiting factor here now is the sunspot number. George __ 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] K2 and KPA100
Gary, I have the KPA100. It meets and exceeds my expectations. It is a fun kit to build and it is fun to integrate into the k2. It is tough and have used in on CW and SSB in contest mode. I would suggest also, that you build a small 10 db audio amplifier to help drive the K2 a little harder with your mic. You can use a 2N amplifier and run it off 9 volt battery. Works quite well for me and helps give a little more to the SSB signal. Remember, don't over drive, but the amp will help. That is my story and I am sticking with it. Lee - K0WA In our day and age it seems that Common Sense is in short supply. If you don't have any Common Sense - get some Common Sense and use it. If you can't find any Common Sense, ask for help from somebody who has some Common Sense. Is Common Sense divine? Common Sense is the image of the Creator expressing revealed truth in my mind. - J. Wolf __ 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] K2 and kpa100
Scott, That problem is caused by a failure of the power output from the KPA100 to be reported back to the K2 microprocessor. Check the wattmeter section of your KPA100. First check to be certain T4 is installed correctly (check the color of each lead), and be certain that the leads are well tinned. Be certain D16 and D17 are oriented correctly (check the KPA100 parts placement diagram). Check the setting of R26 and R27 - the trimmer should be near the center. The usual setting results in a resistance from the wiper to ground equal to about 43k. If those things do not correct the problem, you will have to do some detailed measurements. 73, Don W3FPR Scott McDowell wrote: Hello I have a kpa100 installed on my K2 and the pka100 seems to work fine except for one thing. When I turn the power output knob past 10 watts the rig immediately goes to 100 watts out. Going the other way it stays on 100 watts until the power output knob gets down to 10 watts. I feel that it's a setting that I don't have right but have been unable to find out which one. Has anyone ever had this kind of problem? Thanks Scott N5SM ___ 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
