+++++++++++++++++ Date: 9 Jan 2002 13:26:54 EST From: Kirby Davis To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options Hello! I'm a new member to the reflector and soon-to-be Elecraft builder/owner and have a couple of questions that I hope someone might be able to help me with. I'm also waiting for confirmation of my upgrade to General class (i.e., I'm a relatively new ham) so please excuse my lack of knowledge! I've decided upon the K2 as my first HF rig since I'm more than impressed with everything that I've heard and read about it. Also, I'm looking forward to increasing my knowledge and skills regarding amateur radio through the actual building process. I'm currently trying to decide upon what options to order along with the basic K2. I know that I'm going to get the SSB since I'm not yet where I need to be with code. I had also planned to get the auto antenna tuner and battery options. However, I noticed on the web site that the PA option and the antenna tuner/internal battery combination can't coexist with one another (i.e., its an either/or situation). My questions are: 1. Rather than get the PA option and forfeit the other two options, would another option be to get an amplifier to up the power of the base K2 and keep the other two options? Or, does the 20W limit on the auto antenna tuner prevent the use of an amplifier on a base K2? 2. Any other comments/assistance regarding the pros/cons of the various options (including "purchase them and build them now when your building the base K2" vs "its just as simple to build and install them later to the base K2" suggestions) would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, ... Kirby ++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 11:02:00 -0800 From: lhlousek Subject: Re: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options To: Kirby Davis , elecraft at mailman.qth.net <> Sounds more like a reason NOT to get the SSB option ;-) The KAT2 won't handle the power of the KPA100 but, eventually, there will be an ATU for the KPA100. The KPA and its ATU can be built into the accessory enclosure. When the KPA100 and it's ATU are attached, the K2 will recognize it and control them as if they are installed, bypassing the KAT2. I'd recommend sticking with 10W and getting and KAT2. The KNB2 is simple to add and is helpful if you have noise of the type it is designed to handle. The KAF2 is a very nice addition too (particularly for CW) but it can be added at any time. Later, the KPA100 and it's ATU can be added in the outboard enclosure. Then you'll have a great portable QRP rig which converts to a great QRO rig simply by plugging into the amp. Lou W7DZN ++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 09 Jan 2002 14:03:38 -0500 From: "Mark J. Dulcey" To: Kirby Davis CC: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options Kirby Davis wrote: > 1. Rather than get the PA option and forfeit the other two options, would > another option be to get an amplifier to up the power of the base K2 and keep > the other two options? Or, does the 20W limit on the auto antenna tuner > prevent the use of an amplifier on a base K2? The catch is that such an amplifier can't legally be sold in the US. If it weren't for that little complication, your plan would work just fine. Tokyo Hy-Power makes a nice line of QRP-capable HF amplifiers, if you're willing to go abroad to buy one. The 20W limit of the auto-tuner would have no effect on amplifier use, since the tuner would be before the amp. Of course, it would also have no effect on antenna tuning in that setup; if you wanted both high power and automatic tuning, you'd need a higher-power tuner to follow the amp, or an amp with a built-in tuner (if such a thing exists). Elecraft has talked about a higher-power tuner as a companion piece for the KPA100. It's not an announced product, though, so it may or may not happen. > 2. Any other comments/assistance regarding the pros/cons of the various > options (including "purchase them and build them now when your building the > base K2" vs "its just as simple to build and install them later to the base > K2" suggestions) would be greatly appreciated! Whether or not you buy the options right away, you should certainly build and test the base rig first. If you have the options on hand right off, you can install some of the connectors during the initial build (the instructions tell you which ones and where they go), saving a bit of disassembly later. When you later install the options, you do have to remove a few jumpers and components from the K2 circuit boards, which can be a pain. An alternative is to build the "un-modules" that I designed (http://mail.buttery.org/mark/unmodule/); they let you build the rig without the modules (but with the connectors), and later add the modules without any main board rework. +++++++++++++++++++ From: WA9GQT at aol.com Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 14:09:36 EST To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] Re:KPA100 vs ATU/battery Hi Kirby! Great that you have chosen a K2 for your HF radio. You will be very pleased with it. I am looking forward to the release of the KPA100 also as many others! The K2 ATU is only for QRP. I have the K2 with SSB, 160/rec ant, NB, & KAF2. I have been using an old Murch matchbox for now. I plan to get 150 watt ATU from either Elecraft(when available) or LDG( AT-11MP). This way I can install the KPA100 & still use an ATU with 100 w or turn off KPA100 & run QRP. Just will not have internal battery but can still use external battery or solar power. I think this is just a slight inconvenience! Good luck on your General & hope to CU on the air soon. 73, Rod WA9GQT K2 # 1900 +++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Ron D' Eau Claire" To: Subject: RE: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 11:49:15 -0800 > <> > > It can't be sold as a separate amplifier but it can and will be > sold as a part > for a QRO K2. Anybody that has a K2 can get the KPA100 as part > for it...and, if > slightly enterprising, can build it into a separate enclosure. > > Lou W7DZN There's also an excellent series of "kit" amps that will produce from 100 to several hundred watts output available from CCI (http://www.communication-concepts.com/index.html). See the Builder's Resources/Application Notes/A Homebrew 100 Watt External Amp for the K2 on the Elecraft web site for an example of a 100 watt version built by Bob, NC6M. They are sold legally in the US apparently because they aren't 'turn key' solutions. They require you to choose the amplifier board you want (for the desired output power) then choose the output filters you want (for the bands you want to cover). Bandswitching, T/R switching, enclosure and power supply design are left up to the builder. For that reason, I'd not recommend them to a new builder, but they are one solution to the quest for more power. Ron AC7AC K2 # 1289 +++++++++++++++++ From: "Terry Kniffen" To: Subject: Fw: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 21:12:02 -0500 > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Kirby Davis > To: > Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 1:26 PM > Subject: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options > Hi Kirby - Good questions for the time. -- snip -- > Obviously, and for good reason there are a lot of unanswered questions concerning the KPA100. Specifically, where can we put it, how do we connect it (thru-out our system), etc, etc. My advice would be to get the basic K2, with perhaps the SSB and the KAF2 Filter options (options are in the eye of the builder). I leave out the AUT for the time-being only because I'm not sure if the new set up will allow us to be both QRP and QRO conveniently, (flip of a switch, as it were). If you are on a budget, as most of us are, this will get you started with a great radio and give you a chance for the dust to settle on the PA issue. And IMHO, there will be plenty of dust (all most welcome). Building the basic K2 is a great learning experience in many respects. To believe this is to just follow this reflector. Having all this expertise at your finger tips will give you all the help you need. Best of luck and 73 Terry KF4FD K2#2008 ++++++++++++++++ From: "Francis Belliveau" To: "K2 List" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] High Power PA Option vs. Auto-Tuner and Battery Options Date: Wed, 9 Jan 2002 21:35:21 -0500 On: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 2:25 PM Lou W7DZN wrote: > <> > > It can't be sold as a separate amplifier but it can and will be sold as a part > for a QRO K2. Anybody that has a K2 can get the KPA100 as part for it...and, if > slightly enterprising, can build it into a separate enclosure. > To this I say that I expect the hardest part of building the KPA100 into an EC2 box will be punching the holes and building the interface cables. Elecraft has stated that is will violate FCC rules to provide that as a kit. However this does not prevent one of us from doing so. There will be a tuner for use with the KPA100 that will fit in the bottom of the enclosure without a problem. That will be sold as a kit when it has been designed. One last point about QRP versus QRO: antenna gain can often make up for lack or power. Be sure to put some effort into an antenna system even if you plan to go for full QRO. Welcome to the group and good luck. Fran, KA4FRH K2 s/n 314 +++++++++++++++++++