Re: High SWR causing "Bypass SWR" error when in STBY
On Sat, Oct 14, 2023 at 06:48 AM, tuneupmagic (null) wrote:
I understand repair action of your LA-1K to be remove and replace of R-9/C-1, but has Palstar's failure analysis determination successfully identified the root cause, that Mark Ward (Palstar technician) told you he will "identify what the root cause is" as I read in your post /g/la1k/message/1423 dated September 28, 2023?
It's also important for Palstar to identify in their work order the specific LA-1K circuit card or circuit cards in which they removed and replaced R-9 and C-1.? Again, said repair action, in and of itself, isn't the root cause! Remember ever using the 5-Whys approach to determinate the root cause of a problem? In the case of an incorrect LA-1K SWR readout, it might go something like the followings: 1. Why? - SWR circuitry malfunctioning. 2. Why? - defective R-9 and C-1 on circuit card # 1 and circuit card # 2, respectively. 3. Why? - R-9 and C-1 are of very poor manufacturing quality. 4. Why? - Acquiring components from questionable PRC sources of supply. 5. Why? - Reducing costs of LA-1K manufacturing to maximize profits. Oh, PRC = People's Republic of China 73 Ray KJ5MI
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Re: High SWR causing "Bypass SWR" error when in STBY
On Fri, Oct 13, 2023 at 03:40 PM, Thomas NE7X wrote:
I'm not sure what R-9/C1 is. I don't have a schematic.
Does anyone have a schematic that can identify these parts?
Hi Thomas, In my post /g/la1k/message/1311 you will find a link to the FCC.gov page that has a list of documents relating to the LA-1K.? Click on "Users Manual 2" (bottom of that list) will take you to the initial-released copy of the LA-1K Technical Manual as submitted to the FCC for consideration.? On page 14 of said technical manual, you will find a "LA-1K BLOCK DIAGRAM" which is the closest thing to a schematic of the LA-1K that I could find, since acquiring my LA-1K brand new directly from Palstar in January 2023. I understand repair action of your LA-1K to be remove and replace of R-9/C-1, but has Palstar's failure analysis determination successfully identified the root cause, that Mark Ward (Palstar technician) told you he will "identify what the root cause is" as I read in your post /g/la1k/message/1423 dated September 28, 2023?? If so, has Mr. Ward shared with you the root cause in question? 73 Ray KJ5MI
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Re: High SWR causing "Bypass SWR" error when in STBY
Forgive my ignorance, but what is “pure signal” ?? thanks and good luck with your amp!?
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On Oct 13, 2023, at 12:40 PM, Thomas NE7X <thomasne7x@...> wrote:
?Palstar has finished repairing my LA-1K.
Its currently in transit via Fed-Ex back to my home QTH, due to arrive this Sunday.
Here is what they indicated on the work order:
Repaired LA-1K, SN 31599, AMPLIFIER
Replaced R-9/C-1
INSTALLED REAR PANEL
UPGRADED to PURE SIGNAL
THANK YOU! 73
I'm not sure what R-9/C1 is. I don't have a schematic.
Does anyone have a schematic that can identify these parts?
NE7X...
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Re: High SWR causing "Bypass SWR" error when in STBY
Palstar has finished repairing my LA-1K.
Its currently in transit via Fed-Ex back to my home QTH, due to arrive this Sunday.
Here is what they indicated on the work order:
Repaired LA-1K, SN 31599, AMPLIFIER
Replaced R-9/C-1
INSTALLED REAR PANEL
UPGRADED to PURE SIGNAL
THANK YOU! 73
I'm not sure what R-9/C1 is. I don't have a schematic.
Does anyone have a schematic that can identify these parts?
NE7X...
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On Tue, Oct 3, 2023 at 01:18 PM, <vacawaysteve@...> wrote:
Now switch the LA1K to OPR mode and it switches to Tx as usual, but now it shows no power out at all, and the HF-Autos power out drops to 9 watts. Weird! All bands and modes behave the same way.
Steven, Hopefully your LA-1K "no power out" situation is just a direct result of some lose connections relating to its "PTT" circuitry, as I tried to illustrate yesterday in my post /g/la1k/message/1435. Otherwise, it could be something more serious, as seen in postings /g/la1k/message/1201 and /g/la1k/message/1204 shared by our fellow LA-1K owners, involving Palstar's repair actions. Btw after seeing that Bob NN5D had acquired a brand new Elecraft KPA1500, I took my own advice, as seen in this posting /g/la1k/message/1182, and acquired my brand new KPA1500 to pair it with the FTDX101D as seen on my QRZ page . 73 Ray KJ5MI
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Have you tried feeding the LA-1K with your Icom-7610 to see if that would anything, Steven?
Update to this post:
Steven, I tried duplicating the observed behavior of your LA-1K/FTDX101MP using my LA-1K/FT-857D setup, since I don't use my FTDX101D with the LA-1K, as follows:
1.? Set FT-857D to 20W (FM mode)
2.? Set LA-1K (125VAC-ish) to STBY
3.? Key up FT-857D to obtain best possible VSWR at 21.290.00 MHz
4.? In step 3. (above) LA-1K and MFJ-998 both read 20W
5.? Change FT-857D from FM to USB and LA-1K from STBY to OPR
6.? LA-1K observed power output = 400W on peak, during QSO with Teddy VP2ETE
7.? Now, going from step 4. (above) to step 8. (below); skipping steps 5. and 6. (above)
8.? Removed "PTT" connection from back of the LA-1K and changed LA-1K from STBY to OPR
9.? Key up FT-857D and observed indicated power output of the MFJ-998 and the LA-1K
10.? In step 9. (above) the MFJ-998 read approximately 15W
11.? In step 9. (above) and the LA-1K showed a red horizontal deflection of roughly 1mm on the 1400W scale
Hope this helps to give you another point of reference.
73
Ray
KJ5MI
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All of a sudden I no longer have any power out in OPR Mode.
Example:? SWR is near flat; using 20 watts out from my Yaesu FTdx101MP the LA1K, in STBY mode, shows 20 watts out and so does the HF-Auto; all as it should.? Now switch the LA1K to OPR mode and it switches to Tx as usual, but now it shows no power out at all, and the HF-Autos power out drops to 9 watts. Weird! All bands and modes behave the same way.
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Steven, N7NF
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Re: High SWR causing "Bypass SWR" error when in STBY
Thomas
Thank you for bringing this issue up as I also reported it to Mark this week on my used 4 year old LA-1K that I purchased just last week. ?I just sent it in yesterday to Palstar. ? So I added this issue to what I asked Palstar to review and fix. ?It also needed the new input protection board added and the Filter Board updates since it’s ’so old’.
--
Glen, WB4KTF, Austin, TX
Licensed since 1968
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Re: Morgan systems M303 coaxial surge suppressors used with the LA1k amp
I just purchased a lightly used but 3-4 year old LA-1K for $2000 and am very pleased.? I updated the firmware to the latest just yesterday.
You can post it for sale on either ?or .? Both are great sites that I have used to sell and buy from.
Glen, WB4KTF
Austin, TX
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Hello Steve,
I just got a LA-1K and would like to know where you purchased and what ICOM Control Cable that you are using.? I also have a IC7610 and a FT-991A.
I also just updated the Firmware without any issues, this was of course my first ever try.
Glen Jenkins, WB4KTF, Austin, TX
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My bad. Meant KHz not hz. ?Im getting to old for all this dragging the issue behind my car. ?Consider the issue resolved and not going to get into discussions based on a typo. ? Barry VE6UM
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Barry via groups.io
Sent: October 2, 2023 11:44 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [la1k] FTDX5000 with LA1K? ? On Sun, Oct 1, 2023 at 08:06 PM, Barry wrote: And I also love my FTDX5000 even if it has minor issues like the 250hz thing.
With a "No." response in the very beginning of your post, can I take that to mean your FTDX5000 has the issue of transmitting "250hz" even after its initial warm-up period of 3 to 5 minutes? ? >> Correct. And I am the one that the video is referring to as the person who informed Mark at Palstar about the FTDX5000 and LA1K issue. Mark wanted me to keep him in the loop as he had no one else willing to go through the troubleshooting like I did. You replied saying you doubted the FTDX5000 was causing the issue and went on to blame the LA1K. I disagreed then and still do and proved the LA1K was just fine and was the FTDX5000 causing the bypass. The LA1K is a great amp. With the help of some very highly skilled and knowledgeable ham operators in the Edmonton area, they helped me resolve the issue and I passed The info onto Mark at Palstar and to this forum for FTDX5000 users.
On Tue, Jul 25, 2023 at 04:01 PM, Barry wrote:
My FTDX5000 sends out a transient 250hz pulse for approx 1.3 microsecond of each TX. Because the amp wont be operational outside of the Ham Bands, and 250hz is outside, it kept going into bypass which by design, the LA1K is built for.
Btw in accordance with 47 CFR Part 97 (up to date as of 5/04/2023), paragraph 97.313(k), "No station may transmit in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) band with a transmitter power exceeding 1.5 kW PEP or a radiated power exceeding 1 W EIRP."? So, licensed Amateur Radio operators in the United States of America are permitted to operate below 1.8 MHz; but certainly not at the 250 Hz output as you have observed on your FTDX5000.
In any event, while it might be a minor issue transmitting at 250 Hz in Canada, it isn't permitted for a licensed Amateur Radio operator doing so in the USA. ? >>> I would suggest contacting Yaesu about this concern and leave me out of it. The filter resolves the issue completely.
73
Ray
KJ5MI
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On Mon, Oct 2, 2023 at 01:44 PM, Barry wrote:
You replied saying you doubted the FTDX5000 was causing the issue and went on to blame the LA1K. I disagreed then and still do and proved the LA1K was just fine and was the FTDX5000 causing the bypass.
Barry, A fully functional FTDX5000 doesn't cause the issue of the LA-1K going into "TX BYPASS" after an initial warm-up period of 3 to 5 minutes, as the presenter stated in his YouTube video . Insofar as "the amp wont be operational outside of the Ham Bands, and 250hz is outside, it kept going into bypass which by design, the LA1K is built for" you stated in your 25-Jul-2023 post, I can see Palstar has the need to lock out the CB radio frequencies in the USA.? But, the 135.7-137.8 kHz frequency range isn't outside the Ham Bands, as authorized by the FCC in the USA, so it makes no sense for Palstar to also lock out said legitimate Amateur Radio frequencies below 1.8 MHz. Palstar's indiscriminate design approach to reject all frequencies below 1.8 MHz has resulted in a LA-1K "TX BYPASS" when an exciter is transmitting outside its proper operating frequencies, which btw is within the normal human hearing frequency range in the case of your FTDX5000, at 250 Hz. 73 Ray KJ5MI
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of tuneupmagic (null) via groups.io
Sent: October 2, 2023 4:40 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [la1k] FTDX5000 with LA1K? On Sun, Oct 1, 2023 at 08:06 PM, Barry wrote: And I also love my FTDX5000 even if it has minor issues like the 250hz thing.
With a "No." response in the very beginning of your post, can I take that to mean your FTDX5000 has the issue of transmitting "250hz" even after its initial warm-up period of 3 to 5 minutes? ? >> Correct. And I am the one that the video is referring to as the person who informed Mark at Palstar about the FTDX5000 and LA1K issue. Mark wanted me to keep him in the loop as he had no one else willing to go through the troubleshooting like I did. You replied saying you doubted the FTDX5000 was causing the issue and went on to blame the LA1K. I disagreed then and still do and proved the LA1K was just fine and was the FTDX5000 causing the bypass. The LA1K is a great amp. With the help of some very highly skilled and knowledgeable ham operators in the Edmonton area, they helped me resolve the issue and I passed The info onto Mark at Palstar and to this forum for FTDX5000 users.
On Tue, Jul 25, 2023 at 04:01 PM, Barry wrote:
My FTDX5000 sends out a transient 250hz pulse for approx 1.3 microsecond of each TX. Because the amp wont be operational outside of the Ham Bands, and 250hz is outside, it kept going into bypass which by design, the LA1K is built for.
Btw in accordance with 47 CFR Part 97 (up to date as of 5/04/2023), paragraph 97.313(k), "No station may transmit in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) band with a transmitter power exceeding 1.5 kW PEP or a radiated power exceeding 1 W EIRP."? So, licensed Amateur Radio operators in the United States of America are permitted to operate below 1.8 MHz; but certainly not at the 250 Hz output as you have observed on your FTDX5000.
In any event, while it might be a minor issue transmitting at 250 Hz in Canada, it isn't permitted for a licensed Amateur Radio operator doing so in the USA. ? >>> I would suggest contacting Yaesu about this concern and leave me out of it. The filter resolves the issue completely.
73
Ray
KJ5MI
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On Sun, Oct 1, 2023 at 08:06 PM, Barry wrote:
And I also love my FTDX5000 even if it has minor issues like the 250hz thing.
With a "No." response in the very beginning of your post, can I take that to mean your FTDX5000 has the issue of transmitting "250hz" even after its initial warm-up period of 3 to 5 minutes? On Tue, Jul 25, 2023 at 04:01 PM, Barry wrote:
My FTDX5000 sends out a transient 250hz pulse for approx 1.3 microsecond of each TX. Because the amp wont be operational outside of the Ham Bands, and 250hz is outside, it kept going into bypass which by design, the LA1K is built for.
Btw in accordance with 47 CFR Part 97 (up to date as of 5/04/2023), paragraph 97.313(k), "No station may transmit in the 135.7-137.8 kHz (2200 m) band with a transmitter power exceeding 1.5 kW PEP or a radiated power exceeding 1 W EIRP."? So, licensed Amateur Radio operators in the United States of America are permitted to operate below 1.8 MHz; but certainly not at the 250 Hz output as you have observed on your FTDX5000. In any event, while it might be a minor issue transmitting at 250 Hz in Canada, it isn't permitted for a licensed Amateur Radio operator doing so in the USA. 73 Ray KJ5MI
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Ray, ? No. I run many contests and had my FTDX5000 for over 6 years. Didn’t make a difference for me.
I installed the filter and my LA1K running 100% now. Didn’t wanna mess around. I love my LA1K. Beautiful amp for the price IMO and was a cheap fix instead of pursuing the issue with the FTDX5000 and dealing
with Yaesu (who could turn around and say everythings fine when its not). I love Yaesu radios, but I have had bad experiences 30 years ago with their technicians and left a bad taste in my mouth. I boycotted them for 3 decades because of that. And I also love my FTDX5000 even if it has minor issues like the 250hz thing. ? Sometimes, its easier and cheaper to resolve an issue thru improvisation than get down to the solving the issue. (im not a doctor by the way hi). ? 73 Barry VE6UM ? ? ?
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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of tuneupmagic (null) via groups.io
Sent: October 1, 2023 4:18 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [la1k] FTDX5000 with LA1K? On Tue, Jul 25, 2023 at 04:01 PM, Barry wrote: My FTDX5000 sends out a transient 250hz pulse for approx 1.3 microsecond of each TX. Because the amp wont be operational outside of the Ham Bands, and 250hz is outside, it kept going into bypass which by design, the LA1K is built for.
Hi Barry,
I came across this 18-Sep-2023 YouTube video in which the presenter observed a similar?phenomenon, as you indicated, when operating his FTDX5000 with the LA-1K amp.
However, he pointed out in said video presentation that his FTDX5000/LA-1K combo would start operating fine (i.e. his LA-1K no longer going into bypass) after an initial warm-up period of 3 to 5 minutes.
So, it's possible that the aging FTDX5000 just needed an extra few minutes to get its systems/subsystems stabilized to start transmitting within the respective established worldwide Amateur Radio operating frequencies.
73
Ray
KJ5MI
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On Tue, Jul 25, 2023 at 04:01 PM, Barry wrote:
My FTDX5000 sends out a transient 250hz pulse for approx 1.3 microsecond of each TX. Because the amp wont be operational outside of the Ham Bands, and 250hz is outside, it kept going into bypass which by design, the LA1K is built for.
Hi Barry, I came across this 18-Sep-2023 YouTube video in which the presenter observed a similar? phenomenon, as you indicated, when operating his FTDX5000 with the LA-1K amp. However, he pointed out in said video presentation that his FTDX5000/LA-1K combo would start operating fine (i.e. his LA-1K no longer going into bypass) after an initial warm-up period of 3 to 5 minutes. So, it's possible that the aging FTDX5000 just needed an extra few minutes to get its systems/subsystems stabilized to start transmitting within the respective established worldwide Amateur Radio operating frequencies. 73 Ray KJ5MI
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Re: High SWR causing "Bypass SWR" error when in STBY
On Thu, Sep 28, 2023 at 01:23 PM, Thomas NE7X wrote:
I talked with Mark at Palstar today. He received my LA-1K and validated that it does have a SWR issue. He said the SWR circuit is reading high in both Forward and Reflected.
Hi Thomas, I'd be very much interested in knowing Palstar's failure analysis determination relative to your LA-1K SWR issue, since it might give me an idea of what could be causing the SWR discrepancy exhibited on my LA-1K as captured by the video clip I included in my 3-May-2023 posting /g/la1k/message/1255. Thanks for sharing! 73 Ray KJ5MI
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Re: High SWR causing "Bypass SWR" error when in STBY
UPDATE
I talked with Mark at Palstar today. He received my LA-1K and validated that it does have a SWR issue. He said the SWR circuit is reading high in both Forward and Reflected. I'm happy to hear this, for it validates the issue is not with some environmental issue in my shack. He said Palstar is "really busy" with build orders (guess that's good) and plans to schedule time next week to identify what the root cause is. I will update this group once Mark has the final diagnosis.
Thomas NE7X...
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Re: Morgan systems M303 coaxial surge suppressors used with the LA1k amp
Hi James,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on an asking price for the Pal Star LA-1k solid state HF amplifier.? I would like to find a new home for mine.? I checked with HRO and found that they no longer take consignment items.? My friend Mike N1VE has encouraged me to list my amp on Facebook Marketplace and note that I will deliver it within a 75 mile radius of Concord, NH.? I do not look forward to shipping the amp.
Do you mind another question?? Did the previous owner of the LA1K that you bought offer any warranty?? My LA1K works fine, but I am hesitant to guaranty the unit since it may be purchased by a ham who has little or no experience with solid state? amps and may make connections that damage the amp, then claim that the unit was not working properly when it was received.
Thanks in advance, your info is very helpful.
73 Sam N1OVA
On Friday, September 22, 2023 at 05:45:37 PM EDT, James <ke2tr3000@...> wrote:
I am not sure what to tell you as far as price, I have seen them for sale at between $2700 to $2900 for being in excellent condition and under two years old. Maybe an older amp may not fetch as much but looking at ad's on QRZ that seems to be around the asking price range with maybe $2800 being middle ground. Many may say why should they buy a used LA1K over a new Mercury IIIs and that is a simple answer, you gotta get on a list for a year unless you wanna pay higher than list for some who act like ticket scalpers and charge way over list. They are both good amps but the Mercury IIIS is unattainable as far as buying new off the shelf? plus even two to three year old amps that were kit form are going for around $2800.?
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Re: Morgan systems M303 coaxial surge suppressors used with the LA1k amp
On Fri, Sep 22, 2023 at 05:45 PM, James wrote:
They are both good amps but the Mercury IIIS is unattainable as far as buying new off the shelf? plus even two to three year old amps that were kit form are going for around $2800.?
Hi James, I have been on the list of?KM3KM Electronics LLC since 1/17/2023 for a copy of their "mercuryIIIS Full Assembled + Full Warranty" currently priced at $2,799 + Shipping.? You are right, still no words from KM3KM as of this writing.. but, being priced at practically 25% less than the LA-1K ($3,695.95 on palstar.com) I would consider selling the inferior LA-1K, that I bought brand new from Palstar in late January 2023, to purchase a brand new mercuryIIIS as my replacement backup amp. Btw feel free to check out my many postings in this LA-1K forum, or visit my QRZ page for some highlights of the same, to see why I consider the LA-1K amp as inferior at best. Last but not least, in this post /g/la1k/message/1182 I touched on some cost/benefit factors relative to the LA-1K,?HF-AUTO, and the Elecraft KPA1500 that I acquired in late April 2023 before their price increase! 73 Ray KJ5MI
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Thomas NE7X
Glen Jenkins WB4KTF