Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
Was the issue resolved? Any update on the state of the investigation and whether a firmware defect was confirmed? Thanks and 73, Andy, k3wyc __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
Bill, Please post your results between the two KAT tuners. If it is a software issue, perhaps going back one version might be on the table. 73, and thanks, Dave (NK7Z) https://www.nk7z.net ARRL Volunteer Examiner ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources On 8/24/22 12:20, Bill Mader wrote: Andy and Len, Yes, V2.05 DOES ignore a configuration with solutions that work in V1.75. I have used both versions and tested them again for Dick, K6KR, with whom I am working. He has the trace log showing the problem along with the same configuration file that works for V1.75 and not for V2.05. BTW, the log and utility indicate the KAT500 knows the frequency in both cases but fails to select the proper tuning solution (in some cases) when V2.05 is loaded. There is 20-50 Watts available for reading the frequency in both cases. When tuned, the output is 100 Watts. Also, which should be obvious, the KAT500 is trained on each band and acts appropriately with V1.75. Why it doesn't with V2.05 is currently a mystery. It could be a problem with this specific KAT500. I will try another S/N soon. Lightning is approaching so I shall unplug and disconnect. 73, Bill Mader, K8TE ARRL New Mexico Section Manager *ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio**™* Secretary/Treasurer and Past President, Albuquerque DX Association W6H NM Coordinator, Route 66 On-the-Air 10-18 Sep 2022 New Mexico QSO Party 8 Apr 2023 Duke City Hamfest Chairman www.dukecityhamfest.org 15-17 Sep 2023 __ 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 Message delivered to d...@nk7z.net __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
"Also, which should be obvious, the KAT500 is trained on each band and acts appropriately with V1.75. Why it doesn't with V2.05 is currently a mystery. " No, it was not obvious to me that you had trained all of each band. I had the impression that you had trained only the FT8 frequencies in each band. You have not said whether your problem is that the correct frequency is not detected, or if the correct frequency is detected but the wrong bin is selected, or if the correct bin is selected but the wrong tuning solution is active. All that can be deduced using the utility. If Dick is helping you I doubt I can contribute much. However, if you need an attempt to reproduce this on a different KAT500, then email me your config file and tell me the frequencies on which you observe the problem. (I'm interested because I spent many hours testing this firmware before it was released. I don't like "escapes".) Andy, k3wyc __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
Bill - The good news is you're working with The Best. Dick, K6KR, is The KAT500 Guru in my book. He's the one who steered me to v2.05 when it was still Beta and together we figured out how to adjust it to solve the very problem you're experiencing. As I said, v2.05 is even less interested in listening to the Icom frequency output, and more focused on K3/K4 band data. But still, there are many positive reasons to update from v1.75. So the secret is to fine tune v2.05 to the appropriate level of frequency recognition for your system. Ask Dick for a copy of the Command Reference Manual, if you don't already have it. He can steer you to the proper settings (for me it was FDT1000) after re-training. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill Mader Sent: Wednesday, August 24, 2022 2:21 PM To: Elecraft E-mail Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05 Andy and Len, Yes, V2.05 DOES ignore a configuration with solutions that work in V1.75. I have used both versions and tested them again for Dick, K6KR, with whom I am working. He has the trace log showing the problem along with the same configuration file that works for V1.75 and not for V2.05. BTW, the log and utility indicate the KAT500 knows the frequency in both cases but fails to select the proper tuning solution (in some cases) when V2.05 is loaded. There is 20-50 Watts available for reading the frequency in both cases. When tuned, the output is 100 Watts. Also, which should be obvious, the KAT500 is trained on each band and acts appropriately with V1.75. Why it doesn't with V2.05 is currently a mystery. It could be a problem with this specific KAT500. I will try another S/N soon. Lightning is approaching so I shall unplug and disconnect. 73, Bill Mader, K8TE ARRL New Mexico Section Manager *ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio**™* Secretary/Treasurer and Past President, Albuquerque DX Association W6H NM Coordinator, Route 66 On-the-Air 10-18 Sep 2022 New Mexico QSO Party 8 Apr 2023 Duke City Hamfest Chairman www.dukecityhamfest.org 15-17 Sep 2023 __ 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 Message delivered to l...@lnainc.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
Andy and Len, Yes, V2.05 DOES ignore a configuration with solutions that work in V1.75. I have used both versions and tested them again for Dick, K6KR, with whom I am working. He has the trace log showing the problem along with the same configuration file that works for V1.75 and not for V2.05. BTW, the log and utility indicate the KAT500 knows the frequency in both cases but fails to select the proper tuning solution (in some cases) when V2.05 is loaded. There is 20-50 Watts available for reading the frequency in both cases. When tuned, the output is 100 Watts. Also, which should be obvious, the KAT500 is trained on each band and acts appropriately with V1.75. Why it doesn't with V2.05 is currently a mystery. It could be a problem with this specific KAT500. I will try another S/N soon. Lightning is approaching so I shall unplug and disconnect. 73, Bill Mader, K8TE ARRL New Mexico Section Manager *ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio**™* Secretary/Treasurer and Past President, Albuquerque DX Association W6H NM Coordinator, Route 66 On-the-Air 10-18 Sep 2022 New Mexico QSO Party 8 Apr 2023 Duke City Hamfest Chairman www.dukecityhamfest.org 15-17 Sep 2023 __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
"The question is why does V2.05 appear to ignore what should be memorized tuning solutions?" V2.05 does not ignore memorized solutions. I wonder if V2.05 is selecting an adjacent "bin" that you had not tuned and memorized with V1.75. There was a change in bin boundary frequencies in V2.05. The selected bin and the tuning solution in use can be examined easily using the KAT500 Utility. Also the command DMf; can be used to print all the solutions in any bin e.g. DM3573; DM BN01;BIN 28;FR 3560-3579;ADDR 15904; AN3;BYPN;SIDEA;C58;L50;VSWRB 13.33; AN3;BYPN;SIDEA;C55;L40;VSWRB 8.11; AN3;BYPN;SIDEA;C5A;L3C;VSWRB 8.38; AN3;BYPN;SIDEA;C80;L40;VSWRB 9.85; AN3;BYPN;SIDET;C00;L06;VSWRB 1.00; AN3;BYPB;VSWRB 1.00; Andy, k3wyc __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
Bill - Over 5 years elapsed between v1.75 and v2.05. In that time, many changes were made including several that relate to frequency adjustment and precedence of transceiver data (which Icom does not supply) over counter data. It would seem logical to "teach" the KAT500 your frequency settings once again with the new firmware. I did that, and the newer version performs better - for me (with Icom) - than v1.75 did. There is an Elecraft document detailing changes, "KAT500 Firmware Release Notes" that may be helpful. 73 Lyn, WØLEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bill Mader Sent: Tuesday, August 23, 2022 3:33 PM To: Elecraft E-mail Reflector Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05 While this may be an old thread, I have an input which could be interesting to some. I recently noticed the KAT500 I am currently using had V1.75 of the firmware installed. I use it with an IC-7610 and trained it on each HF band, placed the MODE switch in MAN and tuned it for the FT8 frequencies. This worked well until I updated the firmware to V2.05. After that, the KAT500 failed to use the memorized tuning solutions even though its frequency counter correctly identified the frequency. It would operate in AUTO mode but the tuning took too long for my purposes. I reverted the firmware to V1.75 and it performed as it should. The question is why does V2.05 appear to ignore what should be memorized tuning solutions? 73, Bill Mader, K8TE ARRL New Mexico Section Manager *ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio**™* Secretary/Treasurer and Past President, Albuquerque DX Association W6H NM Coordinator, Route 66 On-the-Air 10-18 Sep 2022 New Mexico QSO Party 8 Apr 2023 Duke City Hamfest Chairman www.dukecityhamfest.org 15-17 Sep 2023 __ 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 Message delivered to l...@lnainc.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
While this may be an old thread, I have an input which could be interesting to some. I recently noticed the KAT500 I am currently using had V1.75 of the firmware installed. I use it with an IC-7610 and trained it on each HF band, placed the MODE switch in MAN and tuned it for the FT8 frequencies. This worked well until I updated the firmware to V2.05. After that, the KAT500 failed to use the memorized tuning solutions even though its frequency counter correctly identified the frequency. It would operate in AUTO mode but the tuning took too long for my purposes. I reverted the firmware to V1.75 and it performed as it should. The question is why does V2.05 appear to ignore what should be memorized tuning solutions? 73, Bill Mader, K8TE ARRL New Mexico Section Manager *ARRL - The national association for Amateur Radio**™* Secretary/Treasurer and Past President, Albuquerque DX Association W6H NM Coordinator, Route 66 On-the-Air 10-18 Sep 2022 New Mexico QSO Party 8 Apr 2023 Duke City Hamfest Chairman www.dukecityhamfest.org 15-17 Sep 2023 __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
I’ve been following this topic for a couple of days. Here are my observations: I don’t use 80 metres much, mainly due to horrendous local noise. On Christmas Eve, I wanted to join a Santa Claus net and checked the tuning solution for my antenna (which is not very good for 80 metres) and it seems to have changed since I last set it up for the particular frequency. I tried a re-tune and could not get a very good match. I was rather surprised as I’d always heard and found that the KAT500 could match an iron bedstead. I decided to ignore the poor match, thinking it would be ‘good enough’, but on transmitting SSB at 100W, after a very short while, the tuner went into a Fault condition. A further attempt at matching (20W power) produced the same Fault result. I’ve not made further tests yet on 80m but 40m is as good as ever (1.2:1). I checked the firmware and although I thought I had the latest, it appears that I had not updated the utility and it reports v1.75v ask being up-to-date. I’ve downloaded the later utility, but not applied it yet, I now wonder whether to upgrade, or will I be opening a new can of worms? Should I try to get a better tuning solution with v1.75 first? Having started to install a Mac mini in the shack, I also downloaded (but not installed) the Mac version of the utility and I notice that there is about a two year difference between that and the Windows version. Are they the same utility, or should there be an updated version for Mac? 73, Alan - G4GNX > On 2 Jan 2022, at 17:46, Bart Campbell wrote: > > I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05. I had already > upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there. > After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80 > meter dipole. My first thought was that there was an issue with the > dipole, but I checked it with an AA-230 antenna analyzer and there was no > change from previous measurements. I then switched the upgraded KAT500 > with another KAT500 that I have which was running firmware version 1.75. > It found a tuning solution on the dipole just fine, as has always been the > case with the first KAT500 prior to the firmware upgrade. So, I > "downgraded" the updated KAT500 to firmware version 1.75 and it once again > was able to easily find a tuning solution for the 80 meter dipole. It > seems that something in the tuning algorithm was changed in the latest > firmware that affects the tuner's ability to find a tuning solution on 80 > meters (I did not notice this issue on other bands after I updated the > firmware, but I concentrated my troubleshooting on the 80 meter dipole). > > Any ideas? I really want to use the latest firmware to take advantage of > the capability to accept transceiver TX frequency messages in Kenwood > format. > > Bart, NS4X __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
I thought I had upgraded the firmware last month but somehow I must have forgotten the KAT500. I just upgraded to the new firmware, and while I think the tuning process is a bit slower than previous versions, I have no problem tuning any of my wire antennae. My 160m and 80m antennae still tune fast with no issue's. -- *73 De Mike* *VE3YF _/http://www.ve3yf.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
Firmware versions 2.05 and 1.75 do not necessarily support all the same macro commands. If you were loading a macro under v1.75, be aware that it may not be supported with v2.05. Alternatively, you may need to add a macro under v2.05 depending on tune power level. Just a thought. 73 Lyn, W0LEN -Original Message- From: elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net [mailto:elecraft-boun...@mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Bob McGraw Sent: Monday, January 03, 2022 11:24 AM To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05 Oh I intended to add, I run 20 watts as my TUNE power. Also my other wire antenna, 240 ft center fed with 85 ft of 400 ohm window line terminating to a hybrid 4:1 Guanella current balun and 1:1 Guanella current balun will match every frequency between 160M and 10M. On 6M I bypass the tuner as the internal circuit has a slightly higher SWR than my 4 ele yagi. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 1/3/2022 11:01 AM, Bob McGraw wrote: > I don't find that to be the case with my KAT500. Upgraded to 2.05 a > couple of weeks ago. I just ran 80M every 25 kHz from 3.525 to > 3.975. The original memories and a few added show 1.0:1 on my K3S at > all points. The external SWR/PWR meter between the radio and tuner > input agrees. The antenna is resonant at 3.825 MHz and there is a 40M > dipole from the same feed point. There is a 1:1 current balun at the > feed point and the feed line is 75 ft of RG-213. > > 73 > > Bob, K4TAX > > > On 1/2/2022 7:43 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: >> Message: 12 >> Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2022 11:46:14 -0600 >> From: Bart Campbell >> To: Elecraft Reflector >> Subject: [Elecraft] >> Message-ID: >> >> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" >> >> I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05. I had >> already >> upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there. >> After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on >> my 80 >> meter dipole. My first thought was that there was an issue with the >> dipole, but I checked it with an AA-230 antenna analyzer and there >> was no >> change from previous measurements. I then switched the upgraded KAT500 >> with another KAT500 that I have which was running firmware version 1.75. >> It found a tuning solution on the dipole just fine, as has always >> been the >> case with the first KAT500 prior to the firmware upgrade. So, I >> "downgraded" the updated KAT500 to firmware version 1.75 and it once >> again >> was able to easily find a tuning solution for the 80 meter dipole. It >> seems that something in the tuning algorithm was changed in the latest >> firmware that affects the tuner's ability to find a tuning solution >> on 80 >> meters (I did not notice this issue on other bands after I updated the >> firmware, but I concentrated my troubleshooting on the 80 meter dipole). >> >> Any ideas? I really want to use the latest firmware to take >> advantage of >> the capability to accept transceiver TX frequency messages in Kenwood >> format. >> >> Bart, NS4X >> >> >> -- __ 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 Message delivered to l...@lnainc.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
Oh I intended to add, I run 20 watts as my TUNE power. Also my other wire antenna, 240 ft center fed with 85 ft of 400 ohm window line terminating to a hybrid 4:1 Guanella current balun and 1:1 Guanella current balun will match every frequency between 160M and 10M. On 6M I bypass the tuner as the internal circuit has a slightly higher SWR than my 4 ele yagi. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 1/3/2022 11:01 AM, Bob McGraw wrote: I don't find that to be the case with my KAT500. Upgraded to 2.05 a couple of weeks ago. I just ran 80M every 25 kHz from 3.525 to 3.975. The original memories and a few added show 1.0:1 on my K3S at all points. The external SWR/PWR meter between the radio and tuner input agrees. The antenna is resonant at 3.825 MHz and there is a 40M dipole from the same feed point. There is a 1:1 current balun at the feed point and the feed line is 75 ft of RG-213. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 1/2/2022 7:43 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: Message: 12 Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2022 11:46:14 -0600 From: Bart Campbell To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05. I had already upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there. After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80 meter dipole. My first thought was that there was an issue with the dipole, but I checked it with an AA-230 antenna analyzer and there was no change from previous measurements. I then switched the upgraded KAT500 with another KAT500 that I have which was running firmware version 1.75. It found a tuning solution on the dipole just fine, as has always been the case with the first KAT500 prior to the firmware upgrade. So, I "downgraded" the updated KAT500 to firmware version 1.75 and it once again was able to easily find a tuning solution for the 80 meter dipole. It seems that something in the tuning algorithm was changed in the latest firmware that affects the tuner's ability to find a tuning solution on 80 meters (I did not notice this issue on other bands after I updated the firmware, but I concentrated my troubleshooting on the 80 meter dipole). Any ideas? I really want to use the latest firmware to take advantage of the capability to accept transceiver TX frequency messages in Kenwood format. Bart, NS4X -- __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
I don't find that to be the case with my KAT500. Upgraded to 2.05 a couple of weeks ago. I just ran 80M every 25 kHz from 3.525 to 3.975. The original memories and a few added show 1.0:1 on my K3S at all points. The external SWR/PWR meter between the radio and tuner input agrees. The antenna is resonant at 3.825 MHz and there is a 40M dipole from the same feed point. There is a 1:1 current balun at the feed point and the feed line is 75 ft of RG-213. 73 Bob, K4TAX On 1/2/2022 7:43 PM, elecraft-requ...@mailman.qth.net wrote: Message: 12 Date: Sun, 2 Jan 2022 11:46:14 -0600 From: Bart Campbell To: Elecraft Reflector Subject: [Elecraft] Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8" I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05. I had already upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there. After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80 meter dipole. My first thought was that there was an issue with the dipole, but I checked it with an AA-230 antenna analyzer and there was no change from previous measurements. I then switched the upgraded KAT500 with another KAT500 that I have which was running firmware version 1.75. It found a tuning solution on the dipole just fine, as has always been the case with the first KAT500 prior to the firmware upgrade. So, I "downgraded" the updated KAT500 to firmware version 1.75 and it once again was able to easily find a tuning solution for the 80 meter dipole. It seems that something in the tuning algorithm was changed in the latest firmware that affects the tuner's ability to find a tuning solution on 80 meters (I did not notice this issue on other bands after I updated the firmware, but I concentrated my troubleshooting on the 80 meter dipole). Any ideas? I really want to use the latest firmware to take advantage of the capability to accept transceiver TX frequency messages in Kenwood format. Bart, NS4X -- __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
"for my antennas, the new version found better matches than 1.75" I realize now that could have been misunderstood. I intended - the new firmware version found better matches than firmware version 1.75. Anyway, good to hear that Dick is investigating. We had exchanged several emails on the problem of finding false matches. It's an interesting problem, particularly with an insensitive reflected power detector and an exciter that folds back when mismatched. Andy, k3wyc __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
On 1/2/2022 9:46 AM, Bart Campbell wrote: Any ideas? Where is it resonant? How high? What feedline? 73, Jim K9YC __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
Hi Andy, Thanks for your interest. Just FYI, Dick, K6KR, from Elecraft responded to my initial email and is assisting me (on a Sunday during a holiday weekend - one of the great things about Elecraft!). He had me send him traces from both versions of the firmware. He has not had time to look at them yet in great detail. In the meantime, to answer your questions: << How does the KAT 500 fail to find a solution? Does it give a "no match fault" or does it end the search with a solution that is not satisfactory? >> It churns through its routine and does not end with a satisfactory solution. While running the traces for Dick, I noticed that it *will* find a good solution but when it ends the tuning routine it is at a solution that leaves it with a high SWR. By carefully watching the values displayed in the utility, I can manually enter the values displayed at the lowest SWR and fix the problem for a given frequency range. At Dick's suggestion, I have done this for every frequency range on 80 meters and had the tuner memorize them. Let me tell you, this takes patience and concentration. :) So, I have a workaround for now and hopefully K6KR will be able to diagnose the problem from the traces I sent him. << What power are you running for autotune? Do you see a different result if you increase power? >> 25 watts, and no. Thanks again for your interest. Bart, NS4X On Sun, Jan 2, 2022 at 6:08 PM Andy Durbin wrote: > "I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05. I had > already upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues > there. After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on > my 80 meter dipole." > > How does the KAT 500 fail to find a solution? Does it give a "no match > fault" or does it end the search with a solution that is not satisfactory? > > What power are you running for autotune? Do you see a different result if > you increase power? > > I won't be able to fix your problem but I am very interested in the > details as I spent many hours testing alpha loads and, for my antennas, the > new version found better matches than 1.75 and never failed with no match > found. > > It's unfortunate that more people didn't try the beta while the firmware > was still open for development. > > Andy, k3wyc > __ > 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 > Message delivered to ns4x.b...@gmail.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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
"I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05. I had already upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there. After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80 meter dipole." How does the KAT 500 fail to find a solution? Does it give a "no match fault" or does it end the search with a solution that is not satisfactory? What power are you running for autotune? Do you see a different result if you increase power? I won't be able to fix your problem but I am very interested in the details as I spent many hours testing alpha loads and, for my antennas, the new version found better matches than 1.75 and never failed with no match found. It's unfortunate that more people didn't try the beta while the firmware was still open for development. Andy, k3wyc __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
I have had issues with the new FW not finding solutions as well. I haven't really investigated beyond discovering that the input attenuator is not the same topography as the schematic and the resistor value isn't either. I don't know whether this is a component failure or not. On a band or two I've done a better job matching manually with the utility program than the tuner algorithm does. Don't ask for particulars, I did this in the heat of battle and didn't document anything. I may just roll back the FW, even though I too am using a Kenwood. Wes N7WS On 1/2/2022 10:46 AM, Bart Campbell wrote: I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05. I had already upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there. After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80 meter dipole. My first thought was that there was an issue with the dipole, but I checked it with an AA-230 antenna analyzer and there was no change from previous measurements. I then switched the upgraded KAT500 with another KAT500 that I have which was running firmware version 1.75. It found a tuning solution on the dipole just fine, as has always been the case with the first KAT500 prior to the firmware upgrade. So, I "downgraded" the updated KAT500 to firmware version 1.75 and it once again was able to easily find a tuning solution for the 80 meter dipole. It seems that something in the tuning algorithm was changed in the latest firmware that affects the tuner's ability to find a tuning solution on 80 meters (I did not notice this issue on other bands after I updated the firmware, but I concentrated my troubleshooting on the 80 meter dipole). Any ideas? I really want to use the latest firmware to take advantage of the capability to accept transceiver TX frequency messages in Kenwood format. Bart, NS4X __ 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 Message delivered to wes_n...@triconet.org __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05
I upgraded one of my KAT500 tuners to firmware version 2.05. I had already upgraded the KAT500 utility to the current version, so no issues there. After the upgrade, the KAT500 is unable to find a tuning solution on my 80 meter dipole. My first thought was that there was an issue with the dipole, but I checked it with an AA-230 antenna analyzer and there was no change from previous measurements. I then switched the upgraded KAT500 with another KAT500 that I have which was running firmware version 1.75. It found a tuning solution on the dipole just fine, as has always been the case with the first KAT500 prior to the firmware upgrade. So, I "downgraded" the updated KAT500 to firmware version 1.75 and it once again was able to easily find a tuning solution for the 80 meter dipole. It seems that something in the tuning algorithm was changed in the latest firmware that affects the tuner's ability to find a tuning solution on 80 meters (I did not notice this issue on other bands after I updated the firmware, but I concentrated my troubleshooting on the 80 meter dipole). Any ideas? I really want to use the latest firmware to take advantage of the capability to accept transceiver TX frequency messages in Kenwood format. Bart, NS4X __ 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 Message delivered to arch...@mail-archive.com
