OK, the turn on macro is still not working, but the turn off macro is working as a toggle. Press pf key once amp powers up, press it again and it powers down. I guess I am good to go, but don't know why.
On Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 8:50 PM Bob Wilson, N6TV <[email protected]> wrote: > No PC software is needed. A K3, K4 or K4/0 macro can easily power a > KPA500 or KP1500 ON and OFF via AUX connectors, once you replace the > Elecraft AUX cables with something better. The technique was first > explained on page 21 of the K3 Remote Owner's Manual > <https://ftp.elecraft.com/K3-Remote/Manuals%20Downloads/K3%20Remote%20Owner's%20Manual%20%20Rev%20D.pdf>, > and was implemented in the Y-BOX v2.1 and later, so you don't need to > modify any cables. Note that the macro documented in the K3 Remote manual > has a major typo -- it omits the trailing semicolon. That semicolon is > *mandatory*, and it could cause the behavior that Jim and Joe are seeing. > > K0XU has one of my Y-BOXs that was prewired to connect K3 AUX Pin 11 to > KPA500 AUX1 Pin 8 via straight Amphenol® 15-pin cables (unmodified Elecraft > AUX cables will NOT work if they are anywhere in the chain from K3 to > KAT500 to KPA500). A block diagram was supplied with the Y-BOX explaining > how to code the macro and how to connect all the cables. > > It's also explained here: > https://www.kkn.net/~n6tv/Y-BOX/Features.html#Remote > > The following K3 macro will pulse CONFIG:DIGOUT1 ON and OFF (which pulses > KPA500 or KPA1500 AUX Pin 8 low). This should toggle the KPA500 ON or OFF > (assuming the rear POWER switch is in the ON position): > > MN019;MP001;MN255;MN019;MP000;MN255; > > You may need to add a 200 ms delay in the middle of the string, like this, > to pulse Pin 8 to ground for 200 ms, but that is usually not required. > > MN019;MP001;MN255;DE20;MN019;MP000;MN255; > > Make sure you haven't coded any "Ohs" instead of "Zeroe" in your macro. > Make sure not to omit the last semicolon. Make sure *CONFIG:DIGOUT1* is > *OFF* on all bands before running the macro. > > On a K4, the macro commands to pulse K4 *MENU:DIGOUT1* ON and OFF for 200 > ms are more straightforward (the K3 MN commands do not work on a K4). > > DO1;DE020;DO0; > > Again, none of this will work with standard Elecraft AUX cables anywhere > in the chain, because Elecraft AUX cables do not have anything wired to Pin > 8 (PWR ON). And you must not use straight DE-15 M/F cables between rig and > amp either, unless you have a Y-BOX in series with them to open the proper > pins (1, 4, 6, 7, and 8). > > K3 or K4 AUX -> Y-BOX v2.1+ "RADIO" via straight DE-15 M/M > Y-BOX AMP AUX -> KAT500 XCVR -> via straight DE-15 M/F > KAT500 AMP -> KPA500 AUX1 via straight DE-15 M/F > > For a KPA1500, omit the KAT500 from the chain: > > K3 or K4 AUX -> Y-BOX v2.1+ "RADIO" via straight DE-15 M/M > Y-BOX AMP AUX -> KPA1500 AUX via straight DE-15 M/F > > 73, > Bob, N6TV > https://bit.ly/Y-BOX > > On Sat, Jun 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM Jack Brindle via Elecraft < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Please tell us ho you have the K3, KPA500 and KAT500 connected. I have to >> assume there is a computer in the mix. The K3 cannot talk to the KPA500 to >> tell is to shut off, nor can it cause the KPA500 to power up. The same is >> true for the KAT500, although the KAT can power up on its own when power is >> applied. A computer or other “intelligent” device is needed to tell the KPA >> and KAT to power up. In the case of the KPA500, there are two ways to >> remotely power it up - one is to momentarily ground the power line in the >> AUX IO connector. This signal cannot be tied to the K3’s power signal >> because of differences in voltage levels. Connecting them will probably be >> a good reason to send the KPA back for repairs. The second method is to >> send a “P” (just the P, no quotes needed) to the KPA500 when it is off >> (using the serial port). After it powers up, you can shut it off by sending >> the “^ON;” command to the KPA500. See the KAT500 serial command reference >> for info on commands specific to it. >> >> And again, the K3 does not send data to the KPA500. The Auxbus is >> strictly send-only from the KPA500. The only signals that go from the K3 to >> the KPA are the band signals and PTT. >> >> Note that the KPA1500 and KPA500 communicate differently - I don’t have >> an answer for Jim on his situation. >> >> Second, please trim your list emails when replying to digests, and follow >> the request to change the subject line. It cuts down on the amount of stuff >> we have to look through, and tells us which of the message you are replying >> to. >> >> 73, >> Jack W6FB >> >> > On Jun 27, 2026, at 12:00 PM, Joseph Koester via Elecraft < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> > >> > I have a similar issue with my K3 and my KPA500. I cannot turn the amp >> off. >> > I can turn the tuner off but not the amplifier. >> > >> > Joe/W4NSA >> > >> > On Sat, Jun 27, 2026, 11:01 <[email protected]> wrote: >> > >> >> >> >> Message: 1 >> >> Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:17:07 -0500 >> >> From: Jim Rhodes <[email protected]> >> >> To: [email protected] >> >> Subject: [Elecraft] K4/KPA500 macro question >> >> Message-ID: >> >> <CALhxr4ZyaBLACkEM_3O-1iwJyWgW+wgJWKEWWpQDrFbZMQLz= >> >> [email protected]> >> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" >> >> >> >> I am trying to set up macros to turn the KPA500 on and off. I seem to >> have >> >> them entered correctly in the K4D and in the KPA500 app. But the app >> will >> >> turn the amp on but not off. The K4 will turn it off but not on. >> Object >> >> is to get it set up for use with the K4/0. Does anyone how I messed >> those >> >> up? >> >> >> >> Jim K0XU >> >> [email protected] > > -- Jim K0XU [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
