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Problem on 80 mtr CW

Alan Baker
 

I am a proud owner of this amp for one month. I also own the HF-Auto tuner and it works slick. I am a contester and have used this amp tuner combo in a RTTY and SSB contest running 800 watts SSB and 400 watts RTTY with no problems.
this past weekend I was operating the ARRL CW SS contest and only on 80 mtrs I could not keep the amp operating while trying to send the 7 seconds of report. No other band had this problem of kicking into bypass before I could transmit the entire report. SWR was reading 1.1 on the amp and 1.06 :1 on the HF-Auto. After the contest I ran tests into my dummy load to eliminate the chance it was the antenna or feed line. I do not have a lightning protector in line.
same problem existed. After calling Palstar and discussing the problem Mark sent me a software upgrade. The fact that this problem only occurs on 80 mtrs and into a dummy load as well as to the antenna via the tuner was a new one for Mark.
After installing the new firmware I ran the same test and found an improvement which was everything work as expected up to 500’watts now butt try to go higher and after 8!seconds of transmitting a certain signal the amp tripped into the Bypass mode.
has anyone else experienced anything like this?
Alan- W1BQ
 

I have had this problem on 80m since new, trying to run fldigi. Have not tried ft8 as I recall, and I don't think I have the problem on other bands but I only work 80. Dummy load tied to my HF-AUTO also has the problem. I too have talked to the factory, but it was a number of months ago. They had no answers at that time other than they think it is an antenna / feedline issue. Given my problems with the dummy load, I have my doubts. have you tried skipping the tuner and running direct? I also tried that and it did not help, my native SWR was 1.6:1, tuner made it 1.08:1, amp reports 1.3:1 until it kicks out.

Unfortunately my antenna was just taken out last night by a big tree, but when I get it fixed I will try more testing. What version of software are you running in the two units? I am running the latest according to the web site.

Al? KD2PNR
 

I have had a similar issue? on all bands with CW regardless of power and with 3 different radios driving the amp when using a direct band cable from the radio to the amp. Using normal mode on the amp works fine though. Went back and forth with Mark as well. Several firmware updates later and no change (been dealing with it for about 2 years). I'm using the HF-Auto with the amp as well. Could be something in the shack as the LA-1K is quite quick to trip (probably a good thing). I keep hoping a new firmware update will cure this but so far not. I'm on 1.07E
--
73,
Jerry
Alan Baker
 

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Hi Jerry
Thanks for your input. I will keep after Palstar with my issue and hope a Remedy is close at hand.
Alan


On Nov 13, 2020, at 9:08 PM, JERRY <JERRY@...> wrote:

?I have had a similar issue? on all bands with CW regardless of power and with 3 different radios driving the amp when using a direct band cable from the radio to the amp. Using normal mode on the amp works fine though. Went back and forth with Mark as well. Several firmware updates later and no change (been dealing with it for about 2 years). I'm using the HF-Auto with the amp as well. Could be something in the shack as the LA-1K is quite quick to trip (probably a good thing). I keep hoping a new firmware update will cure this but so far not. I'm on 1.07E
--
73,
Jerry
Alan Baker
 

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Hi Al
Thanks for your input. I am running 1.08E and the problem is strange because it only happens after transmitting CW on 80 and only after 8 seconds . I will keep after it and hopefully get a resolution. Bought it new a month ago and you would think after paying $3000+ you would not have this problem
Alan-W1BQ?


On Nov 13, 2020, at 9:05 PM, Al - KD2PNR via groups.io <ahw609@...> wrote:

?I have had this problem on 80m since new, trying to run fldigi. Have not tried ft8 as I recall, and I don't think I have the problem on other bands but I only work 80. Dummy load tied to my HF-AUTO also has the problem. I too have talked to the factory, but it was a number of months ago. They had no answers at that time other than they think it is an antenna / feedline issue. Given my problems with the dummy load, I have my doubts. have you tried skipping the tuner and running direct? I also tried that and it did not help, my native SWR was 1.6:1, tuner made it 1.08:1, amp reports 1.3:1 until it kicks out.

Unfortunately my antenna was just taken out last night by a big tree, but when I get it fixed I will try more testing. What version of software are you running in the two units? I am running the latest according to the web site.

Al? KD2PNR

 
Edited

Alan,
I forgot to add that with my issue it also took about 8 seconds before it tripped. 1.07M is now on the web site. It looks like our issue was addressed in the version you have. Apparently without success. I will give it a try
--
73,
Jerry
 

My fldigi tests also take a bit of time, 8 seconds sounds about right. Sometimes I was able to get it to trip by just hitting "tune" which basically puts a continuous tone out. In those cases it seems like it kicked out when I released the tone, as I never held it for 8 seconds.

Al - KD2PNR
 

Hi Alan,

Yes, I have and have spoken to Mark about it. But it was on 17m.? So, I replaced my balun. Problem solved.? Whats odd is it was only 17m CW and thru the entire 17m band not just CW portion.
SSB and FT8 totally fine. Thats what stumped us. Why only CW?

I was also having some bypass issues with other antennas. After redoing each coax connector it was all resolved. No more Bypass issues anywhere.

73 GL


On Fri, Nov 13, 2020 at 6:36 PM Alan Baker <alwbaker@...> wrote:
I am a proud owner of this amp for one month. I also own the HF-Auto tuner and it works slick. I am a contester and have used this amp tuner combo in a RTTY and SSB contest running 800 watts SSB and 400 watts RTTY with no problems.
this past weekend I was operating the ARRL CW SS contest and only on 80 mtrs I could not keep the amp operating while trying to send the 7 seconds of report. No other band had this problem of kicking into bypass before I could transmit the entire report. SWR was reading 1.1 on the amp and 1.06 :1 on the HF-Auto. After the contest I ran tests into my dummy load to eliminate the chance it was the antenna or feed line. I do not have a lightning protector in line.
same problem existed. After calling Palstar and discussing the problem Mark sent me a software upgrade. The fact that this problem only occurs on 80 mtrs and into a dummy load as well as to the antenna via the tuner was a new one for Mark.
After installing the new firmware I ran the same test and found an improvement which was everything work as expected up to 500’watts now butt try to go higher and after 8!seconds of transmitting a certain signal the amp tripped into the Bypass mode.
has anyone else experienced anything like this?
Alan- W1BQ

Alan Baker
 

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Hi Barry
Interesting problem. This happens to me into a dummy load sitting 2 feet from the amp. And of course when through the HF-Auto into the antenna as well.
I will keep looking for a solution but I think it is in the amp.
Regards
Alan


On Nov 14, 2020, at 2:51 PM, Barry <barplo@...> wrote:

?
Hi Alan,

Yes, I have and have spoken to Mark about it. But it was on 17m.? So, I replaced my balun. Problem solved.? Whats odd is it was only 17m CW and thru the entire 17m band not just CW portion.
SSB and FT8 totally fine. Thats what stumped us. Why only CW?

I was also having some bypass issues with other antennas. After redoing each coax connector it was all resolved. No more Bypass issues anywhere.

73 GL


On Fri, Nov 13, 2020 at 6:36 PM Alan Baker <alwbaker@...> wrote:
I am a proud owner of this amp for one month. I also own the HF-Auto tuner and it works slick. I am a contester and have used this amp tuner combo in a RTTY and SSB contest running 800 watts SSB and 400 watts RTTY with no problems.
this past weekend I was operating the ARRL CW SS contest and only on 80 mtrs I could not keep the amp operating while trying to send the 7 seconds of report. No other band had this problem of kicking into bypass before I could transmit the entire report. SWR was reading 1.1 on the amp and 1.06 :1 on the HF-Auto. After the contest I ran tests into my dummy load to eliminate the chance it was the antenna or feed line. I do not have a lightning protector in line.
same problem existed. After calling Palstar and discussing the problem Mark sent me a software upgrade. The fact that this problem only occurs on 80 mtrs and into a dummy load as well as to the antenna via the tuner was a new one for Mark.
After installing the new firmware I ran the same test and found an improvement which was everything work as expected up to 500’watts now butt try to go higher and after 8!seconds of transmitting a certain signal the amp tripped into the Bypass mode.
has anyone else experienced anything like this?
Alan- W1BQ

 

It could be.But whats concerning to me is only on CW. I would try bypassing everything on its way to the dummy load. Try without the tuner. And even try another patch cord. Make another if you can. Just to rule everything out. I was ready to send mine back for repair many times, but looking back im glad?i didnt. Not to say its not the amp, but just to be certain.?

GL


On Sat, Nov 14, 2020 at 1:01 PM Alan Baker <alwbaker@...> wrote:
Hi Barry
Interesting problem. This happens to me into a dummy load sitting 2 feet from the amp. And of course when through the HF-Auto into the antenna as well.
I will keep looking for a solution but I think it is in the amp.
Regards
Alan


On Nov 14, 2020, at 2:51 PM, Barry <barplo@...> wrote:

?
Hi Alan,

Yes, I have and have spoken to Mark about it. But it was on 17m.? So, I replaced my balun. Problem solved.? Whats odd is it was only 17m CW and thru the entire 17m band not just CW portion.
SSB and FT8 totally fine. Thats what stumped us. Why only CW?

I was also having some bypass issues with other antennas. After redoing each coax connector it was all resolved. No more Bypass issues anywhere.

73 GL


On Fri, Nov 13, 2020 at 6:36 PM Alan Baker <alwbaker@...> wrote:
I am a proud owner of this amp for one month. I also own the HF-Auto tuner and it works slick. I am a contester and have used this amp tuner combo in a RTTY and SSB contest running 800 watts SSB and 400 watts RTTY with no problems.
this past weekend I was operating the ARRL CW SS contest and only on 80 mtrs I could not keep the amp operating while trying to send the 7 seconds of report. No other band had this problem of kicking into bypass before I could transmit the entire report. SWR was reading 1.1 on the amp and 1.06 :1 on the HF-Auto. After the contest I ran tests into my dummy load to eliminate the chance it was the antenna or feed line. I do not have a lightning protector in line.
same problem existed. After calling Palstar and discussing the problem Mark sent me a software upgrade. The fact that this problem only occurs on 80 mtrs and into a dummy load as well as to the antenna via the tuner was a new one for Mark.
After installing the new firmware I ran the same test and found an improvement which was everything work as expected up to 500’watts now butt try to go higher and after 8!seconds of transmitting a certain signal the amp tripped into the Bypass mode.
has anyone else experienced anything like this?
Alan- W1BQ

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