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Expert Linears 2K-FA Quick Start Manual

2kw solid state fully automatic linear amplifier
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EXPERT 2K-FA
2KW SOLID STATE FULLY AUTOMATIC LINEAR
AMPLIFIER
 

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Summary of Contents for Expert Linears 2K-FA

  • Page 1   EXPERT 2K-FA 2KW SOLID STATE FULLY AUTOMATIC LINEAR AMPLIFIER  ...
  • Page 2 SPE Expert 2K-FA Quick-Start Guide          QUICK – START Guide     2   ...
  • Page 3 SPE Expert 2K-FA Quick-Start Guide         This Guide written by: Dr. Jeffrey A. Cantor, K1ZN & edited by Bob Hardie, W5UQ Expert Linears America LLC Copyright Pending, 2017 3   ...

  • Page 4: Rear Panel Connections

    You may connect either one or two transceivers to the amplifier at INPUT 1 &/or INPUT 2 (#3 above). o The SPE 2K-FA has four cooling fans on the rear (#4). More fans are inside. Two on 50V PS; one on combiner and two on ATU.

  • Page 5: Front Panel Controls

    Pressing the ON button (#1 above) turns the unit on. However, note that the main ON/OFF switch, #11 on the Rear Panel must first be set to ON. (This switch is usually left on unless one wants to remove all AC from the 2K-FA circuits).
  • Page 6 SPE Expert 2K-FA Quick-Start Guide   o To turn off, press the OFF button (#2 above) and hold it down for at least three seconds (until the unit tones 73 in CW or an error message detailing why the amp cannot turn off) turns the unit off. This is the only button requiring to be held for three seconds or more.
  • Page 7 Pressing the SET button (works ONLY in STANBY) (See #6 on FP), will activate the SET mode to program the amplifier. This is described in detail on page 10, “Let’s Program the 2K-FA” section of the SPE 2K-FA User’s Manual.
  • Page 8  High-power amplifiers require properly rated antennas, connectors, baluns/transformers and feed line cables. The 2K-FA measures the SWR after the band pass filter matching, and it also measures the SWR of the antenna system. This allows you to always evaluate your antenna system despite the matching and the power applied, however: o With the included ATU, the amplifier is able to overcome some mismatches of 3:1 SWR or more.
  • Page 9 Note that the software allows you to select up to three antennas for the same band. A Word about the Internal TUNER  The SPE 2K-FA amplifier is equipped with an automatic tuner that handles load mismatches up about to 3:1 VSWR (2.5:1 for 6 m).
  • Page 10 Most of the time the external antenna tuner will tune the antenna within the specifications of the 2K-FA so the internal ATU will not be necessary this time. However, if the frequency has been increased or decreased so as the SWR has increase, then the internal ATU may be used to correct that SWR.

  • Page 11: Antenna Choices

    SPE Expert 2K-FA Quick-Start Guide   o Press [TUNE] to bypass the ATU or toggle bypass off of ATU in ANTENNA programming. o The green SET LED illuminates during the programming process. o Programming changes take effect only if you have properly exited from a menu page (the green SET led turns off).
  • Page 12 SPE Expert 2K-FA Quick-Start Guide   o The menu default will be on ANTENNA option. (The [◄▲] and [▼►] keys will advance or step to menu choices, e.g.: “ANTENNA,” “CAT,” “MANUAL TUNE,” “DISPLAY,” etc. When ANTENNA is highlighted, press SET again to enter the ANTENNA sub-menu.

  • Page 13: Antenna Tuning

    Antenna Tuning The 2K-FA auto tuning process is activated ONLY in the STANDBY mode, when you key or push-to-talk the  transceiver, the amplifier is keyed, and an RF carrier* is present (CW dots or dashes will not work). (Note: The SPE letters on the display will go away and a bar graph will appear displaying the wattage of the exciter power.
  • Page 14    Your transceiver should be connected to the 2K-FA via a CAT cable to communicate to the amplifier all band and frequency data from the transceiver. If not connected using RS232 information, then the amplifier will switch to the band and frequency after it receives RF from the transceiver.

  • Page 15: Manual Tuning

    SPE Expert 2K-FA Quick-Start Guide   o You can also watch the SWR indication on the DISPLAY. When tuning stops, the SWR will be at a minimum for that antenna. Note: Sometimes it is possible to improve tuning by repeating this step.
  • Page 16 SAVE your settings. Otherwise, your settings will probably be lost. Receive Only Antennas  A unique feature allows the Expert 2K-FA to set a dedicated receiving antenna and to control its automatic switching after a transmission starts, plus protect “receive only” antennas from accidental RF transmissions.

  • Page 17: Remote Control

    Remote Control  The SPE 2K-FA is supported by a software program that permits its operation remotely. The program, Term_2K is on the supplied CD. The KTerm software supports both USB and RS_232, and requires a minimum of Windows XP operating systems.
  • Page 18   Protecting the SPE 2K-FA (Alarms) o The 2K-FA protection system monitors and controls the amplifier’s most important parameters, such as temperature of the heatsinks; maximum/minimum voltage on the PA; maximum PA current; SWR;/reflected power; and very important, the input power to prevent and warn of “over-driving.”...

  • Page 19: Operating Tips

    Again, ALC and CAT links are highly recommended. o If one relies on the Frequency Counter in the 2K-FA to “switch bands,” more RF stress may be present on some of the relays. The purpose of the CAT connectors is to help the amplifier be the most reliable avoiding compromise.
  • Page 20 1300W or lower is not recommended. The same goes for MID and LOW powers. See Flex and Elecraft for specific settings of their drive levels. These may require settings in the transceiver. However, special FLEX settings can be made in the 2K-FA. See the 2K-FA User’s Manual for details.
  • Page 21 SPE Expert 2K-FA Quick-Start Guide   d) AM: This transmission mode radiates a continuous carrier which is 25% of its PEP value (e.g. 500W PEP AM = 125W carrier power). Always operate in MID or LOW mode for AM. To get an output signal without distortion, proceed as follows: Transmit an AM carrier only.

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