KM3KM mercuryIIIS Power Amplifier Kit

-

I received my 1200 watt HF amplifier kit on Thursday and completed the build on Friday afternoon.  Start to finish was about 5 hours, with breaks, taking it slow, and a glass of wine!  Basic power on test was successful but I wasn't able to complete the first test, 1W RTTY, till Sunday, due to time constraints Friday evening.

I had a few minor issues, but nothing with the build or quality of the components except for the rear case fan was dead on arrival.  Kenny had a new one shipped the next day.   The first test instructions required some additional tweaking on my end since I'm using a software defined radio.   I used FLDIGI from my PCs to generate the recommended 1W RTTY modulated signal into the Flexradio 6400M.

Overall, the component quality is top notch, and Kenny does a nice job with the instructions, high resolution pictures, and assembly videos that are included with the kit on a USB drive.  The link to the full kit of parts are available online at https://www.km3km.com/product/full-kit/.  I was given a 90 day shipping estimate, but received it in 60 days, so good on that too.

Pictures and notes from my build:   More on LDMOS semiconductor technologies here.  I expect to get MANY years of reliable service from this amp.  Plus since I built this from a kit, I hope that I can repair it myself in the future if needed, assuming parts/boards are available.

Here's the kit as it arrived via FedX - All 33.7lbs!


Pleased to see the kit of parts was personalized with my WX7V.  The controller firmware was updated to the latest version prior to shipping, and preprogrammed with my callsign.  Kenny also indicated that all parts were bench tested before being shipped.   


Unboxing the parts.... no video here tho.  The personalized letter was a nice touch, which included a few important reminders about the kit and the build process.


The parts are logically sorted and shipped in static wrap.   There is a nextion fully color touch display, a low pass filter, power unit, arduino controller board, electronic antenna switch, push button switches for power and operate, 3 case fans, ribbon conectors, solder, and various lengths of pre-tinned coax cable.


The kit requires 24 (more or less) solder connections, continuity tests for solder bridges, and connectors properly installed.  After the first solder I made a quick trip to Lowes to upgrade my old 40w soldering iron to a nice soldering gun.  Lowes had 3 in stock, for the same price as amazon.

Successful Power On!  


Top View


PTT /On Air Test



Amplifier in action on the bench in my ham shack.   


  
73,

Chris de WX7V




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Remote CW with RKI 1.05 and Sparkfun FT231X breakout board

-
Image
I've created a workable solution for sending CW via a "straight key" to my remote Flexradio 6600 at the lake using RemoteKeyerInterface (RKI) and a simple Serial/USB circuit.   RKI is only available for Windows. RKI enables you to use paddles or a straight key to send CW through a remote Flex‑6000 transceiver.  After several iterations I've settled on a design using the Sparkfun FT-231x breakout board and RKI v1.05 that was originally posted by Gary KT7AZ on the RKI  groups.io forum .   However, to send CW reliably via a straight key - there were two main problems I had to solve. First,  I had to resolve the network latency and buffer bloat in my shack's network by setting up a router with Smart Queue Management.   The Ubiquity EdgeRouter  was recommended by a friend of mine (Larry N1FG) and has been working great.  I'm using the 4 port Edgerouter X which was only $50 at microcenter (open box special).  No more audio stutterin...
Read more

BENS BEST BENT WIRE

-
Image
Update 11/19/23 - Tribute for Bill Crane, SK 10/26/23: https://youtu.be/Znyqq9f93r0?si=bxPV0zVmGN7oWo_u ++ Update August 22, 2022.   I was able to find Bill Crane W9ZN on the air by looking for his spots on RBN .   Took me a while to see the pattern on when and where he's be on frequency, but not only did we make the QSO, we exchanged cards as well!  This is one of my favorite QSL cards that I've collected so far.  Thank You Bill!     73 Chris de WX7V ==================================== Last month I asked a members of the Straight Key Century Club  what was their favorite way to warm up before sending morse code.  I got a lot of input - from, "Just jump right in" to sending the Alphabet and the Numbers 0-9.   My favorite answer is to practice sending Bens Best Bent Wire, with the letters and numbers run together so that the code produced sounds similar to a march.  Apparently this was taught by the RAF,  merchan...
Read more

FTdx3000 - configuring external panadapter using SDRPlay RSP1A

-
Image
 The panadapter on the FTdx3000 is fine but not great.   I'm using SDRuno with the SDRPlay RSP1A  which is a significant upgrade!   Cost was minimal since I already had a RSP1a stored in a  drawer waiting for a problem to solve.   Hardware configuration is straight forward.  On the back of the FTdx3000, connect the IF OUT (RCA connector) to antenna input on the RSP1a.  I needed a cable with RCA to SMA adapter.  Plug in USB connections from the RSP1a to the computer, and another from the FTdx3000 radio to your computer. Download and install OmniRig from dxatlas.  Omnirig provides CAT control for the Yaesu radio - allowing you to automatically tune into any frequency by clicking signal in panadapter waterfall.   Find the SiliconLabs Enhanced Comm port (use Ports in Device Manager)- you need to use the same com port and speed settings in the omnirig and sdruno configurations. Start sdruno, click on settings - the...
Read more