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New Power Genius XL Amplifier

danaroode
danaroode Member ✭✭
in Power Genius XL Amplifier

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Answers

  • danaroode
    danaroode Member ✭✭
    Can anyone see this post? When I attempt to view it says "There was an error rendering this rich post". I don't recall anything being in my post other than plain text.
  • KD0RC
    KD0RC Member, Super Elmer Moderator
    edited August 19

    Hi Dana, this is readable. If you can't post it, send it to me in an e-mail (I'm good on QRZ) and I will post it for you. I believe it takes 5 posts before the automatic spam thing gives you more privileges.

  • danaroode
    danaroode Member ✭✭
    I'll attempt to re-ask my questions here. I just got a new PGXL and was testing it with an Elecraft K3 (I'm going to use it with a K4 at my remote station).

    I'm getting "RF Too Early" messages - the manual said 10 msec was required and I set the K3 to the highest setting of 20. I've been transmitting using the K3 Tune button and it works most of the time but sometimes I get the error. At one point just closing the PTT on the Amp gave me the error, even with no RF at all.

    What is the correct setting for the delay and does anyone have an explanation for the intermittent error message?

    Also, I have to provide more than 50 watts of drive to get 1000 watts or more out - this is not what I have seen documented. The power output reading on the PGXL seems low, the actual output power is more according to 2 external watt meters I've tried.

    What drive level should be required and what is the maximum safe drive level to use without damaging the Amp?

    I'm going to test with a K4 later today.

    Dana, K6NR
  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    I would set the TX Delay to 30 ms to be completely safe.

    As far as drive power, what external meters do you have? Test. With the external meter I to a good 60 Ohm load capable of handling legal limit and test using a steady carrier, not SSB or CW.

    73 Dave wo2x

  • danaroode
    danaroode Member ✭✭
    There was an error rendering this rich post.
  • danaroode
    danaroode Member ✭✭
    Thanks for the response.

    The K4 goes to 25 ms maximum, that's what it is set to. Worked well today for awhile, then randomly gave the RF too early messages, then they became constant. Got them even with no RF at all - put a foot switch on the Amp keying line instead of the line to the K4, got RF Too Early, definitely no RF. Some sort of bug in the Amp or something is broken.

    This is a drop dead issue for me and quite disappointing. Wouldn't have bought the amp if there was a hint of a problem like this. I understand it works well with a Flex Radio transceiver.

    I have 3 watt meters on hand, a Bird Wattmeter, a Daiwa CN801, and an Array Solution Power master. They all are pretty close to each other. On some bands the PGXL agrees but on most it reads low (I can't read it at all when I have the RF Too Early message). Turns out 50 watts in does provide 1000 to 1100 watts out on all bands, but haven't hit 1500 yet, got up to 1400 or thereabouts on some bands with 75 watts in. Not sure what the maximum input power is.

    All my testing with with pure carrier. 50 ohm dummy load (60 is a typo I assume).

    Day before yesterday I put a support ticket in, I don't know what the turnaround time is on those.

    Dana
  • David Decoons, wo2x
    David Decoons, wo2x Member, Super Elmer Moderator

    are you testing with a steady carrier? Also into a 50 Ohm load or antenna?

    Use RTTY mode on K4 to generate an unmodulated carrier.

    If testing into an antenna, the acrhal reactance may not be a true (0 Ohm resistive load and depending on where the meters are along the coax, can read different.

    The meter in PG XL is not peak reading. 75 watts for 1500 is high. Again, use a steady carrier and verify carrier level in standby then check amp output.

    73 Dave wo2x

  • Geoff AB6BT
    Geoff AB6BT Member ✭✭✭

    This may not be pertinate, but are you powering the amp from 120VAC or 240VAC?

  • danaroode
    danaroode Member ✭✭
    Once again, all my testing with with pure carrier. 50 ohm dummy load. Not sure my previous response got through - this "community" system arbitrarily makes some of my postings unrenderable.

    I'm running on 240vac.

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