[Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Am I correct that the K3, KAT500, and KPA500 operates seemlessly when operating SSB and you QSY? Specifically, is any operator intervention (button pushing or tuning) need for QSY from the upper part of the band to the lower part of the band (ie: 3975 QSK to 3655). Can I just pick the mic and talk? Or, is some manual action required for the change? Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
You do have to manually retune the transceiver. However, if you have all the Elecraft cabling in place according to Elecraft's instructions, the KAT500 and KPA500 should follow you. If you're QSYing in the same band, you shouldn't have issues, anyway. There woudn't be anything to change on the tuner or amp. You may get a short retune cycle if necessary, to match the antenna to the different band segment, but that should be it. Hope this helps. 73, -- Ian Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688, KPA500 #1468 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill W2BLC Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 6:21 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500 Am I correct that the K3, KAT500, and KPA500 operates seemlessly when operating SSB and you QSY? Specifically, is any operator intervention (button pushing or tuning) need for QSY from the upper part of the band to the lower part of the band (ie: 3975 QSK to 3655). Can I just pick the mic and talk? Or, is some manual action required for the change? Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Ian, When you set up the kat500, do a couple 'tune' cycles across each of the bands prior to operating and then you will find no unexpected tune cycles. Setting the kat500 swr bypass is helpful also. Running my OCF (80/20) I get no unexpected retunes which makes operating and qsy etc very easy on all bands including the WARC bands. 73 On 24 September 2013 22:23, Ian Kahn - Ham km4ik@gmail.com wrote: You do have to manually retune the transceiver. However, if you have all the Elecraft cabling in place according to Elecraft's instructions, the KAT500 and KPA500 should follow you. If you're QSYing in the same band, you shouldn't have issues, anyway. There woudn't be anything to change on the tuner or amp. You may get a short retune cycle if necessary, to match the antenna to the different band segment, but that should be it. Hope this helps. 73, -- Ian Ian Kahn, KM4IK Roswell, GA EM74ua km4ik@gmail.com K3 #281, P3 #688, KPA500 #1468 HRD v5.x/6.0 Test Team -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill W2BLC Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 6:21 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500 Am I correct that the K3, KAT500, and KPA500 operates seemlessly when operating SSB and you QSY? Specifically, is any operator intervention (button pushing or tuning) need for QSY from the upper part of the band to the lower part of the band (ie: 3975 QSK to 3655). Can I just pick the mic and talk? Or, is some manual action required for the change? Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- *Gary - VK1ZZ Skype: Gary.VK1ZZ http://www.qsl.net/vk1zz Motorhome Portable* *Grumpy's House* *Elecraft K3 KPA500FT KAT500FT** * __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 3:20 AM, Bill W2BLC w2...@nycap.rr.com wrote: Am I correct that the K3, KAT500, and KPA500 operates seemlessly when operating SSB and you QSY? Specifically, is any operator intervention (button pushing or tuning) need for QSY from the upper part of the band to the lower part of the band (ie: 3975 QSK to 3655). Can I just pick the mic and talk? Or, is some manual action required for the change? With firmware 1.20 or newer, the KAT500 will (unless you configure it not to) automatically perform memory recall tunes as you move around within a band - i.e. when it detects a frequency change, it will recall the memory closest to the new frequency. In AUTO mode, it will also initiate full tuning if necessary, based on VSWR measured above the configured threshold. In MAN mode, it will not initiate tuning based on VSWR. This is explained in mode detail in the KAT500 Utility help. Full tuning will require a key-down signal - SSB won't do it - so, as Gary suggests, teaching it about various segments within each band (especially 80m) will help with smooth operation as you QSY around. 73, ~iain / N6ML __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
The reason I asked the original question is my experience with the KPA500 and KAT500: KPA500 in the OPER mode. KAT500 in AUTO (solid on). K3 set to 25 Watts when running with the amp. Everything has been well checked over for errors in installation and setup. When I QSY between 3970 from 3755 and start talking on LSB - the KPA500 and the KAT500 both go wild. The tuner does not appear to remember that both frequencies have been memorized or is very slow (several seconds) to make the determination. The tuner will click (relay noise) and the amp will show RED FAULT (REFL HI) and go to STBY. Using the above frequencies, when I press the XMIT/TUNE button I get an immediate RED FAULT (REFL HI) however, the unit does not go into STDY. If the XMIT is kept on, the RED FAULT will switch off after about 3 or 4 seconds and normal amp output power is noted. I can then talk and all is fine. If this is how the combo is supposed to act, so be it - however, it isn't what I expected. When I purchased the KAT500 and KPA 500, I was under the impression it would follow me around the bands seamlessly, with only the VFO touched for QSY The amp and tuner were factory built - so no chance of errors there. What am I missing? Or, is this how it is designed and is actually working properly? Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
One other quick note: You do have to transmit for the KAT to do a quick memory recall tune. It won't track receiver tuning. Cheers, Fred KE7X -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of iain macdonnell - N6ML Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 7:27 AM To: Bill W2BLC Cc: Elecraft Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500 On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 3:20 AM, Bill W2BLC w2...@nycap.rr.com wrote: Am I correct that the K3, KAT500, and KPA500 operates seemlessly when operating SSB and you QSY? Specifically, is any operator intervention (button pushing or tuning) need for QSY from the upper part of the band to the lower part of the band (ie: 3975 QSK to 3655). Can I just pick the mic and talk? Or, is some manual action required for the change? With firmware 1.20 or newer, the KAT500 will (unless you configure it not to) automatically perform memory recall tunes as you move around within a band - i.e. when it detects a frequency change, it will recall the memory closest to the new frequency. In AUTO mode, it will also initiate full tuning if necessary, based on VSWR measured above the configured threshold. In MAN mode, it will not initiate tuning based on VSWR. This is explained in mode detail in the KAT500 Utility help. Full tuning will require a key-down signal - SSB won't do it - so, as Gary suggests, teaching it about various segments within each band (especially 80m) will help with smooth operation as you QSY around. 73, ~iain / N6ML __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Bill, What firmware versions do you have on the KAT500 and KPA500? Both have had fixes implemented to make this sort of operation more smooth. Also confirm that you have the AUX (HD15) cabling in place between the K3-KAT500-KPA500 (and no direct RCA keying line between the K3 and KPA500) ? 73, ~iain / N6ML On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 7:11 AM, Bill W2BLC w2...@nycap.rr.com wrote: The reason I asked the original question is my experience with the KPA500 and KAT500: KPA500 in the OPER mode. KAT500 in AUTO (solid on). K3 set to 25 Watts when running with the amp. Everything has been well checked over for errors in installation and setup. When I QSY between 3970 from 3755 and start talking on LSB - the KPA500 and the KAT500 both go wild. The tuner does not appear to remember that both frequencies have been memorized or is very slow (several seconds) to make the determination. The tuner will click (relay noise) and the amp will show RED FAULT (REFL HI) and go to STBY. Using the above frequencies, when I press the XMIT/TUNE button I get an immediate RED FAULT (REFL HI) however, the unit does not go into STDY. If the XMIT is kept on, the RED FAULT will switch off after about 3 or 4 seconds and normal amp output power is noted. I can then talk and all is fine. If this is how the combo is supposed to act, so be it - however, it isn't what I expected. When I purchased the KAT500 and KPA 500, I was under the impression it would follow me around the bands seamlessly, with only the VFO touched for QSY The amp and tuner were factory built - so no chance of errors there. What am I missing? Or, is this how it is designed and is actually working properly? Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Bill, Mine acts the same - until it transmits RF once! That first transmit can (will) fault both the KPA500 KAT500. I hadn't noticed that before because my 80m antenna is the only one with a significance difference in VSWR between the bottom top of the band I'm not on 80m very often but do operate at the bottom or top if I'm on 3.060 MHz 3.975 MHz. Thanks 73 George AI4VZ -Original Message- From: Bill W2BLC Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 10:11 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500 The reason I asked the original question is my experience with the KPA500 and KAT500: KPA500 in the OPER mode. KAT500 in AUTO (solid on). K3 set to 25 Watts when running with the amp. Everything has been well checked over for errors in installation and setup. When I QSY between 3970 from 3755 and start talking on LSB - the KPA500 and the KAT500 both go wild. The tuner does not appear to remember that both frequencies have been memorized or is very slow (several seconds) to make the determination. The tuner will click (relay noise) and the amp will show RED FAULT (REFL HI) and go to STBY. Using the above frequencies, when I press the XMIT/TUNE button I get an immediate RED FAULT (REFL HI) however, the unit does not go into STDY. If the XMIT is kept on, the RED FAULT will switch off after about 3 or 4 seconds and normal amp output power is noted. I can then talk and all is fine. If this is how the combo is supposed to act, so be it - however, it isn't what I expected. When I purchased the KAT500 and KPA 500, I was under the impression it would follow me around the bands seamlessly, with only the VFO touched for QSY The amp and tuner were factory built - so no chance of errors there. What am I missing? Or, is this how it is designed and is actually working properly? Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Latest updates have been made and factory cables are being used. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
That is what I was looking for - I am not alone and perhaps it is just how things work on the combo. If that is how things are, that is fine - still beats using a manual tuner and old tube amp! Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Bill, I'm a CW operator, but I believe you could try the method I use to activate the tuner and amp before working phone on MARS frequencies. After you have tuned the tuner on your favorite frequencies (phone and/or CW), perform the actions below when you QSY. 1. Set the K3 to transmit CW in SSB mode. 2. Connect a cw key to the K3. 3. After you have moved to the new band, tap the CW key one time and the tuner and amp will be ready to transmit SSB. Tom N5GE On Tue, 24 Sep 2013 10:45:13 -0400, you wrote: That is what I was looking for - I am not alone and perhaps it is just how things work on the combo. If that is how things are, that is fine - still beats using a manual tuner and old tube amp! Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Tom, Your suggestion works well, however, when the kat500 is 'programmed' a qsy in band or to another band does not require a Tx on CW. The kat500 will interrupt the key line on the kpa500 and the memorized 'bin' appropriate for the new frequency/band is selected automatically. It took a few iteratiions of FW to get this done and it works as designed now. 73 On 25 September 2013 01:04, Tom n...@n5ge.com wrote: Bill, I'm a CW operator, but I believe you could try the method I use to activate the tuner and amp before working phone on MARS frequencies. After you have tuned the tuner on your favorite frequencies (phone and/or CW), perform the actions below when you QSY. 1. Set the K3 to transmit CW in SSB mode. 2. Connect a cw key to the K3. 3. After you have moved to the new band, tap the CW key one time and the tuner and amp will be ready to transmit SSB. Tom N5GE On Tue, 24 Sep 2013 10:45:13 -0400, you wrote: That is what I was looking for - I am not alone and perhaps it is just how things work on the combo. If that is how things are, that is fine - still beats using a manual tuner and old tube amp! Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html -- *Gary - VK1ZZ Skype: Gary.VK1ZZ http://www.qsl.net/vk1zz Motorhome Portable* *Grumpy's House* *Elecraft K3 KPA500FT KAT500FT** * __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
I think you should be able to get better results. If you're repeatedly QSYing to a particular band segment, and experiencing full tunes and KPA500 faults, something is not right. You might try contacting support - there is detailed diagnostic tracing that can be engaged for situations like this, if you can reproduce the problem 73, ~iain / N6ML On Tue, Sep 24, 2013 at 7:45 AM, Bill W2BLC w2...@nycap.rr.com wrote: That is what I was looking for - I am not alone and perhaps it is just how things work on the combo. If that is how things are, that is fine - still beats using a manual tuner and old tube amp! Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
I just press TUNE on the K3 when I QSY before operating. This puts out a lower-powered carrier and the KAT500 selects the right tuning combination. Phil – AD5X __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Hi Bill, Help us by stating your firmware rev levels. Latest Updates might not include Beta releases for some folks. 73, Mike K2MK Bill W2BLC wrote Latest updates have been made and factory cables are being used. -- View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K3-operation-with-the-KPA500-and-KAT500-tp7579171p7579195.html Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
All, The setting of CW on SSB here is not set to help with tuner and amp operation, (although a tap is faster than a hold) ;o). I've set it that way because when I work 6m, 2m and 70cm phone, it's advantageous to be able to send CW when propagation fades. Some may disagree, but in my opinion, (and I could be wrong) CW is still the most reliable form of communication during poor conditions, due to it's narrow band width and narrow filtering possibilities. Tom On Wed, 25 Sep 2013 01:11:18 +1000, you wrote: Tom, Your suggestion works well, however, when the kat500 is 'programmed' a qsy in band or to another band does not require a Tx on CW. The kat500 will interrupt the key line on the kpa500 and the memorized 'bin' appropriate for the new frequency/band is selected automatically. It took a few iteratiions of FW to get this done and it works as designed now. 73 __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Bill, W2BLC, What is the VSWR of your antenna at 3.965? Is the KAT500 stable with 100 watts? That would be a big clue to what is going on. Any tuner's power-handling capability decreases as VSWR rises. 73, John, W2GW - Original Message - From: Bill W2BLC w2...@nycap.rr.com To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, September 24, 2013 10:11 AM Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500 The reason I asked the original question is my experience with the KPA500 and KAT500: KPA500 in the OPER mode. KAT500 in AUTO (solid on). K3 set to 25 Watts when running with the amp. Everything has been well checked over for errors in installation and setup. When I QSY between 3970 from 3755 and start talking on LSB - the KPA500 and the KAT500 both go wild. The tuner does not appear to remember that both frequencies have been memorized or is very slow (several seconds) to make the determination. The tuner will click (relay noise) and the amp will show RED FAULT (REFL HI) and go to STBY. Using the above frequencies, when I press the XMIT/TUNE button I get an immediate RED FAULT (REFL HI) however, the unit does not go into STDY. If the XMIT is kept on, the RED FAULT will switch off after about 3 or 4 seconds and normal amp output power is noted. I can then talk and all is fine. If this is how the combo is supposed to act, so be it - however, it isn't what I expected. When I purchased the KAT500 and KPA 500, I was under the impression it would follow me around the bands seamlessly, with only the VFO touched for QSY The amp and tuner were factory built - so no chance of errors there. What am I missing? Or, is this how it is designed and is actually working properly? Thanks, Bill W2BLC __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
Re: [Elecraft] K3 - operation with the KPA500 and KAT500
Once I trained my KAT500 at the middle of each of its segments for each band and for each antenna usable on that band, I run it in MAN mode. My understanding is that in MAN, it will fetch the appropriate values when it first smells RF [or is told on the port to the radio], but it won't automatically enter a tune cycle. In AUTO, it fetchs the values from memory and set the relays [almost instantly], but if the VSWR is above a threshold, it will enter a tune cycle automatically. This usually isn't so good, especially on SSB. No matter how I QSY or how far [Big Knob or band change], it never does an unwanted tune cycle. It selects the preferred antenna for the band and I transmit. You do have to TX to get it to fetch the right values, I'm certain that it doesn't follow your receive frequency. My antennas behave a bit differently when it's raining so I saved two configurations using the KAT500 Utility. The checklist then is: 1. Go into shack 2. Look out window 3. If it's raining and wasn't last time I was QRV, load Wet Config 4. If it's dry but was raining last time I was QRV, load Dry Config 5. If it's the same as last time I was QRV, call CQ DX :-) 73, Fred K6DGW - Northern California Contest Club - CU in the 2013 Cal QSO Party 5-6 Oct 2013 - www.cqp.org On 9/24/2013 2:46 PM, John E. Reiser wrote: Bill, W2BLC, What is the VSWR of your antenna at 3.965? Is the KAT500 stable with 100 watts? That would be a big clue to what is going on. W2BLC wrote KPA500 in the OPER mode. KAT500 in AUTO (solid on). K3 set to 25 Watts when running with the amp. __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:Elecraft@mailman.qth.net This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
