Ellecraft KPA 500 not putting out Question

John K6VFR

Hi
I have an Ellecraft KPA 500 and a Flexradio 6300.


I believe I have hooked everything correctly.  (Gone over multiple times)


The problem is that when I key the mike with the Flex RF power set at 35-40, the Flex shows that it is transmitting and the KPA 500 shows an asterisk in the window, but it does not put out any power.  Nothing.  


When I crank up the Flex RF power to 80, the KPA 500 shows output of 35 watts
When I crank up the Flex RF power to 100, the KPA 500 shows output of 280 watts.
Anything less than 80, zero output.


I am baffled.  Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. What could possibly be the cause?
Thank you,
John
K6VFR

LarryF

Hi John


Do you have push to talk cable hooked up on back of amp? Also will amp change bands when you change on Radio?


Ke2yc. Larry

What is your SWR on transmit

WX7Y

What Mode are you in,  If your in SSB  and MAYBE have the DEXP enabled and the slider up to far you wont have anything out of the transmitter until your MIC audio input has enough audio to get over the threshold you have DEXP adjusted for,  like a squelch circuit on FM works only for the MIC input.
IF you key the radio and AMP using the TUNE button you should have Power output but if you don't and the AMP is Keying and you have TX power out of the Radio then you  probably have a issue with the KPA500. 

73's
Bret
WX7Y

K1UO Larry

Hi John,

Might you have a bad exciter coax or coax connector on the coax going to the KPA500 RF input?  Does your 6300 have an antenna tuner/  is it bypassed?   Is the correct TX antenna on the 6300 selected?  just a few thoughts

John K6VFR

Wow!  Thanks for all of the replies...I've got work to do!  I'll check each of the points and hopefully one of them will work...I'll let you know...thanks again!

Jim K4JAF

I use the 6300 with the KPA500 and works great.  35 watts or so will yield about 525 watts out on the amp.  You can have auto band control with DDutil or the BCD cable from the amplifier to the Flex 6300.  If I can answer any questions on hookup, etc just let me know.
k4jaf@arrl.net   

George KF2T

Make sure the TX RCA connector you’re using for T/R switching is enabled, too. Oh, and don’t run 80-100 watts into the KPA. It won’t like it and may fail (expensively).

John K6VFR

George, is the T/R enabled in the Flex or the Elecraft?

Mike VE3CKO

John, if your Elle is not putting out, offer to pay for dinner next time. Sorry I couldn't resist.