I have a 2K-FA and I can say it is not really SO2R as it.
You only have one antenna input for the 2sd radio just to say it is SO2R
but actually you cannot share antennas between radios to make actual
serious SO2R. As if it was not enough the signals on the auxiliary I/O
plugs are too slow to insure a fast switching and are very sensitive to
RFI. The result is that the only feature which makes it SO2R capable is
its very fast band switching (7ms) and the fact that it has inputs for
the signals of the two radios but you still have to built some external
control logic and a 2X6 or 2X8 antenna switch.
The second very important point is maintenance.
The schematics and maintenance manual of SPE are hidden to the public
for some fear to be copied. The result is that you have no choice but
send back the amplifier to the only authorized guy in NA. And I can say
that when my amplifier took fire ( apparently some factory bad sourced
decoupling capacitors) it never came back tuned as well than brand new
from the NA maintenance service. Currently I have a new problem (the
amplifier when in operate mode but not transmitting makes some RF noise
on 20m to 6m) and the NA maintenance did not even took time to answer my
e-mail. Not mentioning that every go and forth from Canad to USA for a
73lbs amplifier (with internal power supply) with insurance is a minimum
of 800 USD.
For sure Elecraft will not only give me everything to maintain my
amplifier from my home but they as usual for my current 3xK3's and P3's
will give some fast and accurate answers and if there is some stuff to
replace, it will be only the needed board of a few lbs not the whole 73
lbs amplifier to send through the continent ...
Will I mention the perenniality of spare pieces in the time ?
Gilles VA2EW
On 28/08/2017 15:32, VE2TZT wrote:
I have a 2K-FA and I can say it is not really SO2R as it.
You only have one antenna input for the 2sd radio just to say it is
SO2R but actually you cannot share antennas between radios to make
actual serious SO2R. As if it was not enough the signals on the
auxiliary I/O plugs are too slow to insure a fast switching and are
very sensitive to RFI. The result is that the only feature which makes
it SO2R capable is its very fast band switching (7ms) and the fact
that it has inputs for the signals of the two radios but you still
have to built some external control logic and a 2X6 or 2X8 antenna
switch.
The second very important point is maintenance.
The schematics and maintenance manual of SPE are hidden to the public
for some fear to be copied. The result is that you have no choice but
send back the amplifier to the only authorized guy in NA. And I can
say that when my amplifier took fire ( apparently some factory bad
sourced decoupling capacitors) it never came back tuned as well than
brand new from the NA maintenance service. Currently I have a new
problem (the amplifier when in operate mode but not transmitting makes
some RF noise on 20m to 6m) and the NA maintenance did not even took
time to answer my e-mail. Not mentioning that every go and forth from
Canad to USA for a 73lbs amplifier (with internal power supply) with
insurance is a minimum of 800 USD.
For sure Elecraft will not only give me everything to maintain my
amplifier from my home but they as usual for my current 3xK3's and
P3's will give some fast and accurate answers and if there is some
stuff to replace, it will be only the needed board of a few lbs not
the whole 73 lbs amplifier to send through the continent ...
Will I men
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