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SPE/Flex 6xxx drive control
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Comments
I use 2k-fa with K3. 2k-fa went 4 time for repairs, with at most one due to overdrive.
I use 1.3k-fa with 6600. Low power drive mod. Numerous bad antennas and high SWR. Never a problem. Automatic power control for LOW/MID/HI works well.
Ignacy, NO9E
73 and Aloha, Tom, NH6Y
I suspect it was more of a heat dissipation issue than a spike causing the LD-MOSFET to pop. I've seen that happen with another SS PA.
My opinion is that the SPE PAs should not be used for digital modes, period. The heat dissipation leaves a lot to be desired. My PGXL arrives today, and I intend to baby it quite a bit. I will use my Alpha 9500 and Acom 2100 for the digital modes. They can handle all sorts of insults and just keep on humming along.
The only reason I purchased an RM Italy HLA 305V is because the THP amp doesn't do 160. The 305V needs only 2 watts for full power on 160 and is very touchy if you overdrive it. Not nearly as reliable as the THP.
Some of these new very expensive amps act like they're made out of glass. One false move and it's back to the factory.
There is a video on YouTube of Ranko from 4O3A having the amp transmit into a dummy load and then, with the center conductor exposed with a T connector, he uses a screwdriver to totally short the antenna.
The amp immediately goes into standby. No damage.
Mike
One way to determine the optimal driving power is to increase drive watching output power, and stop when teh increase is much less than linear.
For instance if 1 W produces 100W, 3 W produce 290W, 5 W produce 450W, and 6 W produce 470W, 5 W seems OK and 6W is too much.
One can drive with 8 W in Low and the amp will work but will be greatly distorting on SSB. Probably no effect on CW.
Setting different power levels on many bands is trivial with Flex setting in SPE.
Ignacy, NO9E
Hello everybody.
TODAY I saw this post after booking SPE 1.5K in February.
With Covid the delivery will probably be at the end of October but you have given me a thousand doubts ... is it so catastrophic?
I have friends (who don't have Flex or if they have Flex they have SPE 2k) and they are thrilled. I have the Flex 6400 and have booked SPE 1.5K, no one to comfort me with good news?
Thanks in advance for any comments.
73, Mauro HB9FBG
I have a 6500 linked to SPE 1,5k and works fine. It is possibile band by band to decide the Power input generated by 6500 to avoid any kind of overdrive.
Best 73 and DX
Luciano I0JBL
I have been using a 6700 to drive a SPE 2K-FA for about 5 years with no problem. I drive it to 1.5 KW with about 40-60 watts depending on the band. I do not use the ALC even though the SPE manual highly recommends it. There may be a problem with lesser drive levels overshooting in the Flex, but this is just a guess. I have never had even a hiccup while using the above parameters.
73,
Bill AB7AA