Hi Gordon, thanks for posting this... I have had a 2K for quite a few years and had always used it with a tunable antenna. I had spent quite some time trying to understand the manual to discover how to take the 'tunable antenna' setting off and enable the ATU.... This got me working in 5 minutes!
Hi Ed. I made that short video almost immediately after I had sussed out the atu. I had been a little but frustrated with it previously. I haven't tried it on AM and I think the amp we get in Europe is different to what you guys get stateside in that we get super high gain. I think that about 10w input is good for 1.2kw so even a KX3 can drive the EU version to full output. The US model is limited by law to a lesser gain but same ultimate output.
Hi there Gordon, I've got the previous model, the 1K version. I saw your comment about not using the tuner on a resonant antenna. I've got the Optibeam
Hi Gordon, As I can see its so far ahead of everything else with 4 outputs 2 inputs SO2R , deals with StepIR etc, can be used to swirth receive only aerials, has USB Serial auto RF detect .......the more I look the more I`m convinced !
I had the cables made up by the amp supplier. It certainly makes for a fully automated solution. Changing bands, switching antennas, switching ATU in/out as programmed. Not 100% required as amp only needs a dit to qsy but well worth the extra effort.
I think that is mostly correct for the autotune function. I believe you can manually tune the Expert for higher SWR reading of more than 3:1 but you should operate with a much lower output. You could also use an outboard manual tuner if you have to use the badly out of tune antenna. But to be blunt, if my antenna had SWR of 4:1 or 5:1 or worse, I would be looking to improve the antenna SWR somewhat rather than using a tuner while trying to run QRO.
Hi. Yes it works on 4m but only as a so called bonus band which was what SPE described it as to me. On mine it will produce about 550w on 4m but it has issues at least for me on that band. When I go to 4m, I actually get significant noise from the amplifier that sounds a bit like ignition noise from a petrol engine. It changes level when I change power output (low-mid-high) and is worse when I select high power. I honestly don't think they all do it but mine does. SPE definitely didn't guarantee 4m output when I got mine. In facty I just checked their website and now SPE don't claim operation on 4m. Wide frequency coverage: HAM bands from 160m to 6m including WARCs. 60 m band, where permitted. I have no idea if it is still supplied working on 4m but it looks like it may not be. I'm sure a dealer would advise. GL Gordon MM0GPZ
Hi Gordon, thanks for posting this... I have had a 2K for quite a few years and had always used it with a tunable antenna. I had spent quite some time trying to understand the manual to discover how to take the 'tunable antenna' setting off and enable the ATU.... This got me working in 5 minutes!
Thanks for that Gordon. Just got the 1.5k fully auto version 3. Great to tearn what to do from your video! Bill GM3ZRT
Really helpful! I bought the 1.5 and get it in a few weeks.
Hi Ed. I made that short video almost immediately after I had sussed out the atu. I had been a little but frustrated with it previously. I haven't tried it on AM and I think the amp we get in Europe is different to what you guys get stateside in that we get super high gain. I think that about 10w input is good for 1.2kw so even a KX3 can drive the EU version to full output. The US model is limited by law to a lesser gain but same ultimate output.
Thanks for the Video Gordon, a great help!
Hi Gordon, I have just bought one of these amps, very informative video thank you, 73 Rich G4FAD..
Hi there Gordon, I've got the previous model, the 1K version. I saw your comment about not using the tuner on a resonant antenna. I've got the Optibeam
Thanks for the video, one of the best and informative out there. Hope to be getting one in a couple of weeks.
Great video. I’m about to go for one of these myself. Really like the straight forward menus and so far all the reviews have been positive.
Hi Gordon,
As I can see its so far ahead of everything else with 4 outputs 2 inputs SO2R , deals with StepIR etc, can be used to swirth receive only aerials, has USB Serial auto RF detect .......the more I look the more I`m convinced !
Excellent video Ed.
I love the tutorial/Review type videos. Please do a power output video using different modes and drives.
73s
very nice video with great inform about that amp... but I don't know why most of the dealer out of stock?!
Hi Gordon ,
just trying to decide between the Acom 600s and the spe 1.3K ...I think you made my decision for me :)
Bill
Bill. You are welcome to come see this amp and have a play.
Hi Gordon i think we have worked before on 20 great video mate looks like a great amp 73 vk3xxy
Hi Alan. We definitely just worked a couple of days ago on 20m and a month ago on 10m. Great to make your acquaintance 73 MM0GPZ
What cables do you use to get the amp keying and following the radio ?
I had the cables made up by the amp supplier. It certainly makes for a fully automated solution. Changing bands, switching antennas, switching ATU in/out as programmed. Not 100% required as amp only needs a dit to qsy but well worth the extra effort.
And antenna also 😊 73s Guy VA2IG
thanks!
I don't think they can make them fast enough to meet the demand
I have heard that the antenna tuner in these is rather limited, and can only handle an SWR up to 3:1 maximum. Is that true?
I think that is mostly correct for the autotune function. I believe you can manually tune the Expert for higher SWR reading of more than 3:1 but you should operate with a much lower output. You could also use an outboard manual tuner if you have to use the badly out of tune antenna. But to be blunt, if my antenna had SWR of 4:1 or 5:1 or worse, I would be looking to improve the antenna SWR somewhat rather than using a tuner while trying to run QRO.
Yes.
You are correct. Even on the 2K
Hi Gordon , great video very well put over .
Does this work ok on 4m and if so what power ?
I cant seem to find much info on it
Cheers
Hi. Yes it works on 4m but only as a so called bonus band which was what SPE described it as to me. On mine it will produce about 550w on 4m but it has issues at least for me on that band. When I go to 4m, I actually get significant noise from the amplifier that sounds a bit like ignition noise from a petrol engine. It changes level when I change power output (low-mid-high) and is worse when I select high power. I honestly don't think they all do it but mine does. SPE definitely didn't guarantee 4m output when I got mine. In facty I just checked their website and now SPE don't claim operation on 4m.
Wide frequency coverage:
HAM bands from 160m to 6m including WARCs.
60 m band, where permitted.
I have no idea if it is still supplied working on 4m but it looks like it may not be. I'm sure a dealer would advise.
GL
Gordon MM0GPZ
@@gordonpaterson5286 thanks for the info Gordon , mine does not give the 4m option in settings but will try it out on 6m settings may be .
I have heard that these have spuriouses on RX, can anyone comment?
Nice amp!