Hi David,
Out of interest, what exciter power is needed to drive the amp to full
output?
Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID
Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities
www.active-elements.org
For accessibility evaluations of amateur equipment and MP3 manuals
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of David W Wood
Sent: 09 March 2014 13:55
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: need to find a replacement radio
Kelvin - all
Elecraft specifically say not to use the ALC when using the KPA500, but
suggest that it should be used with other amplifiers.
The reason is that there is a complex data exchange between the K3 and
KPA500, also with the KAT500 if installed.
73
David W Wood
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Kelvin Marsh
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2014 12:34 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: need to find a replacement radio
Hi Lou and All,
Interesting that Elecraft don't think ALC need be used with their amps.
I've also heard a similar recommendation from a Kenwood user running a
ASL-600.
Personally, I would suggest that ALC should always be used when running a
solid state amp. Even more so when being operated by a blind op. It is far
too easy to be distracted by a phone call or something, and switch on the
amp with far too much input power. In my case, I use a 200 watt radio, and
without the ALC, I risk making a mistake one day and damaging the amp with
excessive input power.
The strategy Alan adopts is very sensible, by always limiting the output
from the rig. Although I have the ALC correctly adjusted, I try to never
exceed the needed input power to the amp. Relying on the ALC to cut back
excessive power is likely to cause distortion and you shouldn't rely on a
safety device all the time.
So, I suggest the ALC should always be used, just in case, but input power
should be manually set to avoid the ALC from being activated.
Best wishes, Kelvin Marsh - M0AID
Working to improve accessibility for radio amateurs with disabilities
www.active-elements.org
For accessibility evaluations of amateur equipment and MP3 manuals
-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Lou Kolb
Sent: 09 March 2014 00:24
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: need to find a replacement radio
Alan,
Pretty cool! I know Elecraft recommends not even using the ALC with their
amp or, I think any other as well. And once you get it set you can read the
mic gain settings with the hampod so you always know where to go. No amp
here so I don't have to worry about it yet but that box does sound pretty
slick.
Lou Kolb
Voice-over Artist:
Radio/TV Ads, Video narrations
Messages On-hold:
www.loukolb.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2014 7:10 PM
Subject: Re: need to find a replacement radio
> Ok, I wasn't aware of the ALC issue. I don't use ALC the way most people
> do. I have a box with a pot on it and an on/off switch. The box has a
> wall
> wart for power, and a RCA cable that connects to the ALC jack on the back
> of
> my Icom. I can set the ALC voltage with the pot on the box. I do this
> because on several occasions I had used my Icom barefoot and cranked the
> drive output up to 200 watts. The next morning I forgot about using the
> rig
> barefoot, and start talking with my Henry. I was driving it with 200
> watts,
> which is ok as far as the Henry is concerned, but I was outputting over
> 4900
> watts. I didn't hook the ALC up to the Henry because each band requires a
> different setting, and the only way to adjust the ALC adjustment on the
> back
> of the Henry is to lean over the damn thing and reach down to where the
> knob
> is located. This amp gets unbelievably hot, so it isn't pleasant leaning
> over it. With my ALC adjustment box I don't have to get anywhere near the
> amp. It works slick as snot.
>
> Alan/KD7GC
>
>
>
> Alan R. Downing
> Phoenix, AZ
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Lou Kolb
> Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2014 3:49 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: need to find a replacement radio
>
> Alan,
>
> That's 99 per cent true. Unfortunately, what you can not do with the K3
> and
>
> Hampod is set the ALC. Not Rob's fault but Elecraft's as they haven't made
> that reading available through the serial port. Last I heard, they were
> swamped with requests for other updates and stuff for the KX3 so it might
> be
>
> a while before they get to it.
> Lou Kolb
> Voice-over Artist:
> Radio/TV Ads, Video narrations
> Messages On-hold:
> www.loukolb.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Alan R. Downing" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2014 1:03 AM
> Subject: Re: need to find a replacement radio
>
>
>> Butch, You have one of the best rigs ever made. Many sighted hams
>> consider
>> the 990 to be the best rig ever produced, and from the perspective of a
>> blind operator, no other radio has ever been more accessible. Of course
>> the
>> K3, thanks to Rob Santello, is as accessible as the Kenwood 990.
>>
>>
>> Alan/KD7GC
>>
>>
>>
>> Alan R. Downing
>> Phoenix, AZ
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: For blind ham radio operators
>> [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
>> On Behalf Of Butch Bussen
>> Sent: Friday, March 07, 2014 8:46 PM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: need to find a replacement radio
>>
>> I don't find the 2000 all that hard, there are good front pannel
>> descriptions around as well. Talk about a complicated radio, lmy 990 has
>> I think 106 knobs and buttons on the ront. Quite a rdio though.
>> 73
>> Butch
>> WA0VJR
>> Node 3148
>> Wallace, ks.
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