Re: [Elecraft] KTCXO3-1 knock offs

2021-10-03 Thread Andy Durbin
"How can I test phase noise? Someone live close to NW GA that would like to test it?" I ran a series of tests to evaluate various Kenwood TS-590S "TCXO". I required nothing more complicated than a second TS-590S and a step attenuator. My results for a single frequency offset showed good

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 Power Level

2021-09-22 Thread Andy Durbin
"Would you care to share your KPA500 power measurements at each of those drive levels (and test mode used)?" If you receive this data set be sure you understand that dissipation, heating, and efficiency will be strongly dependent on the complex impedance of the load. I have previously shared

[Elecraft] KPA-500 270V ERR

2021-08-26 Thread Andy Durbin
Well if it were mine I'd check the voltage on the nominal 270 V connector on the PA module then work back from there. I keep notes from discussion of other peoples problems and their resolution. You can find all this in the archive but this is what I have in my notes for KPA 270 V problems:

Re: [Elecraft] KAT 500 Firmware

2021-12-23 Thread Andy Durbin
"I had this happen a while back and it turned out the Q! and Q2 (transistors that control the send and receive lines on the com port) were in operatable." I would expect that fault to result in the utility not seeing any data at all. In that condition the utility does not report that the

Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

2022-01-02 Thread Andy Durbin
"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

[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

2022-01-02 Thread Andy Durbin
"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

[Elecraft] KAT 500 Firmware

2021-12-23 Thread Andy Durbin
"When the KAT500 utility connects to the port, it says unexpected device." All the indications you have reported are consistent with the utility attempting to connect to a port that is receiving data but the data is not correctly identifying the source as a KAT500. What version of the

Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

2021-11-11 Thread Andy Durbin
I use whatever power is required to make the intended QSO. It really bugs me when people brag about their prowess with QRP operations when they don't declare the antenna that was in use. Power output means nothing unless it is qualified by antenna gain. Often a good idea of the required

Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

2021-11-12 Thread Andy Durbin
"Please explain "effectively tail-end" using FT8." To tail end is, at least in my terminology, to call a station at the end of their current QSO without waiting for them to call CQ. To tail-end effectively means, at least in my terminology, to call the station without causing QRM to their

Re: [Elecraft] Legal Limit With FT8

2021-11-11 Thread Andy Durbin
"I have DXCC on RTTY and refuse to add FT QSOs to my total. They are different things. RTTY requires some skill." You seem to imply that FT modes require no skill. I disagree. There are complete LIDS using the modes and there are others who carefully pick TX frequencies to avoid QRM to a

Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Attenuator

2021-12-10 Thread Andy Durbin
Hi Lyn, Thanks for your report. Your KAT500 is a later serial than mine so I doubt R7 is fitted. (Mine was a kit build and I don't know if factory units are in the same serial number series) I don't know the source of my Rev C schematics. I received some of my KAT500/KPA500 from Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Attenuator

2021-12-15 Thread Andy Durbin
" Have we, in fact, established that this attenuator is enabled at any point of the tune cycle? Because if not, then we're all spun up for nothing." KAT500 Serial Command Reference Revised 8/18/2021 firmware version 02.00 says: "ATTN Enable Attenuator GET format: ATTN; SET/RESPONSE format:

Re: [Elecraft] Can't update KAT500 firmware

2021-12-15 Thread Andy Durbin
I can't help with that error but you can download the firmware directly from here: https://ftp.elecraft.com/KAT500/firmware/ Put it in a local directory then point the utility to that directory and it should show it is available for loading. Andy, k3wyc

Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Attenuator

2021-12-14 Thread Andy Durbin
"I took the cover off mine and verified that the shunt resistor was missing and the series one measured 228 ohm. Clearly, if this is dynamically switched while seeking a match the poor exciter is going to be totally confused. " The list and private replies I have seen seem to show the

[Elecraft] KAT500 Attenuator

2021-12-10 Thread Andy Durbin
KAT500 has an input attenuator that may, under certain conditions, be activated during a full search tune. Page 1 rev C of the KAT500 schematic shows the attenuator is a divider consisting of R6 and R7 which are both 39 ohm. My KAT500 serial number 2609 does not have R7 fitted and R7 is

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 problem

2022-01-17 Thread Andy Durbin
"No, RX audio just appears greatly attenuated - acting like the antenna is disconnected. There is still the ambient hiss from the K3 speaker." Isn't that exactly what you would expect to hear if the amplifier was spuriously keyed but the K3 was not keyed? All it would take is a faulty keying

[Elecraft] KPA1500 problem

2022-01-17 Thread Andy Durbin
"A buddy of mine is having a problem with his KPA1500 where the receive path is cutting out intermittently when he switches to OPER. It comes back when he switches back to STBY. This occurs occasionally, sometime it works fine. Any comments?" Does the "keyed" indicator change at the same time

Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft KPA500 sn 1910 dead

2022-01-16 Thread Andy Durbin
"I have exhausted all the troubleshooting ideas that are within my capabilities. I hope that another KPA500 owner may be able to provide information that I can use to get my amp up & running. " Do you have the schematics and a voltmeter? One of the first steps may be to ensure the low

[Elecraft] Question Regarding KPA-500 on 117 VAC

2022-03-07 Thread Andy Durbin
My test data show that, of all the bands my KPA500 will work on, 20 m has the lowest PA efficiency. My test data also show that the KPA500 efficiency, and therefore PA dissipation, is very sensitive to load matching. So, if you are on 20 m and with a poor match, your 60 V PSU will have a high

Re: [Elecraft] Need help with kat500 utility

2022-02-24 Thread Andy Durbin
"  Is the capacitor setting normally checked by default?     This setting was not chosen automatically." Cap Side is set to SIDET (transceiver side) when the KAT500 is in Bypass mode. At any other time is is set to the value corresponding to the current tuning solution. That tuning solution

Re: [Elecraft] Need help with kat500 utility

2022-02-24 Thread Andy Durbin
"Take a look at this reference - https://leleivre.com/rf_lcmatch.html  if you can't visualize what Cap Side is doing." I should have added that the upper two topologies are the only ones that can be set in the KAT500. The inductors are always in series and the capacitors are always in

[Elecraft] SM$ command

2022-02-28 Thread Andy Durbin
Don't have a KX2 but Kenwood meter interrogations return the result as "dots" corresponding to the number of dots that are "lit" on the LCD meter scale. If the KX2 uses an LCD meter it's likely the same. Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing

[Elecraft] KAT500 Memories

2022-02-21 Thread Andy Durbin
"Can KAT500 frequency memories set by me be deleted either individually or per band?" Yes, see the Serial Command Reference "EM Erase Frequency Memory SET format: EMbba; clears frequency memories for one or all antennas on band bb (See BN for a description of bb). a is 0 for all antennas, 1,

[Elecraft] KPA500 faults

2022-03-03 Thread Andy Durbin
Ref PA Module schematic. J4 pin 13 seems to be 60V/32 and it appears to be fed by divider R12/R13. Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post:

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 faults

2022-03-03 Thread Andy Durbin
"Yep. I think it’s the connections. The resistor network seems to be fine and the right values." Then I'd be looking at U18 and U14B. Following signals through KPA500 schematics would be a lot easier if they didn't change the signal names multiple times. Andy, k3wyc

[Elecraft] Need help with kat500 utility

2022-02-23 Thread Andy Durbin
"I  have some question about the operate tab in the kat500 utility. In the "others"  what should be checked off? "caps on the Ant side" "amp key interrupt" "attenuator"   Not sure what these things do." If you don't have a specific reason for changing these values you should regard these as

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Issue

2022-03-31 Thread Andy Durbin
"However, what I’m seeing is that when the amp is in OPER mode, my receive signal strength drops way, way off to the point I have to go full AF volume to hear signals. If I put the amp in STBY, signal levels go back to normal." These exact symptoms have been associated in past reports with a

Re: [Elecraft] TCXO

2022-03-31 Thread Andy Durbin
"What are the uses for the TCXO option in a K3? Why would I want one?" TCXO means "Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator". You need one if the frequency drift caused by rig temperature change causes a problem at the frequencies, and with the modes, you operate. Leave the rig powered all

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Issue

2022-03-31 Thread Andy Durbin
"p.s. do you have any idea what Jack was talking about when he said "switch the RADIO setting of the KPA from K3 to something else, either Serial or Analog”??" KPA500 menu / Radio / (Serial/Analog/BCD/K3). Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Issue

2022-04-01 Thread Andy Durbin
"The reason I don’t suspect the PIN diodes is that the KPA works properly with the K3. " Sorry, I missed that part. 73, Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help:

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Issue

2022-04-01 Thread Andy Durbin
"Just gave it a try. No joy, same result - lowered rx signal strength on the IC-705. Jack indicated that the K3 sets the Vcc rail to zero volts on power off, and that is causing the amp to go into Operate mode. " Maybe I lost the plot but wasn't the problem that the KPA500 was being keyed,

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Issue

2022-04-01 Thread Andy Durbin
"Pulling the audio cable when I want to use the IC-705 with the amp isn’t practical due to the location of the radio." The high density 15 pin connectors used on the Aux cable is readily available and inexpensive. Why not make an adapter that allows the PTT line (pin 10) to be switched

[Elecraft] KPA 500

2022-03-23 Thread Andy Durbin
"It’s also worth mentioning that if the radio and the amp are hard wired together, changing the band using the buttons on the front of the amp automatically changes the band on the radio." It should be possible to disable the KPA 500 band buttons but it isn't. They are a "bandaid" for the

Re: [Elecraft] K4 Production Relase 28 and SWR display issues

2022-01-29 Thread Andy Durbin
"Here is what I've done for the test: - bypass the internal KAT4 ATU - de-tune my Palstar BT1500A external tuner for an SWR of about 1:2 - use the keyer to send in CW. SWR (bargraph in display) shows 1:2. Okay! - use the MH4 to send in USB and say "h". SWR shows 1:2. Okay! - use the MH4 to

Re: [Elecraft] K4 Production Relase 28 and SWR display issues

2022-01-29 Thread Andy Durbin
" I wrote code to invalidate and dash my display of the serial data SWR based on forward power level. " That wasn't accurate. What I actually do is "dash" the SWR display if there has been no TX on current TX frequency (+/- 500 Hz). I display X.XX if there was a TX on current frequency but

Re: [Elecraft] What happened to ALC?

2022-01-31 Thread Andy Durbin
"If so, the ALC would be before the modulator and compression after it." I remember modulators but there isn't one in my TS-590. I doubt there is one in any modern rig. In the TS-590 architecture compression is done in DSP (Digital Signal Processing) and ALC is applied way down path at a TX

[Elecraft] KAT500 beta firmware

2023-09-14 Thread Andy Durbin
Elecraft has released updated KAT500 utility, updated serial command reference, and a beta release of new firmware. Anyone who was bothered by good tuning solutions being pushed off the stack should be very interested in the new AB command.

[Elecraft] List guidelines, please review

2023-10-25 Thread Andy Durbin
A new user may sign up for this "list" or "reflector" here - https://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft This portal does not require a callsign, or even a name, to apply for list membership. It also, as far as I can see, does not specify any rules, or link to any rules, for

[Elecraft] K3S Split Operation

2023-11-07 Thread Andy Durbin
That was a head spinning discussion! No Elecraft transceiver here but I've been working single RX Split with a TS-590S for as long as I have owned it. For the TS-590 the key to working split pileups is the TF-SET key which swaps TX and RX VFO as long as it is held. Sounds like Elecraft does

[Elecraft] KAT500 beta 2.13 issue

2023-09-28 Thread Andy Durbin
A beta tester reported that his KAT500 did not track memory channels on his Kenwood TS-890S. It tracked VFO tuned frequencies correctly. I confirmed that this regression was introduced in KAT500 firmware alpha 2.10. Alpha 2.09 correctly tracks Kenwood TS-590 simplex memory channels. This

[Elecraft] K4 AT tune problems with KAT500 firmware 213

2023-09-26 Thread Andy Durbin
"Yeah, I flashed to 2.13 from 1.75 this weekend, and at first things seemed to be OK, but last night when running the 80M SSB net, I kept having the tuning change unexpectedly and my KPA500 kept faulting out. " Hard to make any useful comment without knowing a lot more about your

[Elecraft] KPA500 / KAT500 and W2 watt meter question

2023-10-11 Thread Andy Durbin
"I just ordered the KPA500/KAT500 combo and W2 watt meter for my K3S. Should I use the key line interrupt connected to the W2 watt meter or should I connect the key line interrupt to the KAT500? Do I even need to use key line interrupt with the K line set up?" Why would it hurt to have

[Elecraft] Headset Hubbub

2023-10-12 Thread Andy Durbin
"So now I open again for other suggested headsets in the $100 range. The CM500 was a gaming headset so that could be a source. This is going to be a gift for a friend who badly needs something. Any more ideas?" I had been using my Yamaha HP-1 headphones on my Kenwood TS-590. I decided they

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 / KAT500 and W2 watt meter question

2023-10-12 Thread Andy Durbin
"In the KAT500 manual, page 5, Figure 1 Cabling Diagram, is the better and safer way to configure the system. NO key line interrupter is needed. How does an Elecraft station that controls KPA500 and KAT500 using AUX cables inhibit keying when a SteppIR antenna is moving the tapes? This

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 / KAT500 and W2 watt meter question

2023-10-12 Thread Andy Durbin
SteppIR will accept up to 200 W without damage and opening the amplifier key line is the standard way protect SteppIR antennas. It has been asserted that "NO key line interrupter is needed". However, Elecraft recognizes that they may be such a need and sells an adapter to disable keying by

Re: [Elecraft] K4D - KPA500 Fault Question + wish

2022-04-25 Thread Andy Durbin
"Now, my question for everyone reading - when is it that you feel the need to set the fan speed above 0?" I coded my station controller to provide an option to start KPA 500 fan at start of TX and have it run for a fixed time after TX stops. My test data showed no significant advantage in

Re: [Elecraft] K4D - KPA500 Fault Question + wish

2022-04-25 Thread Andy Durbin
Sorry - too early in the morning - "KPA500" not "KPA 500". 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

Re: [Elecraft] K4D - KPA500 Fault Question + wish

2022-04-25 Thread Andy Durbin
"Is there data showing more dissipated heat with lower output in solid state  amplifiers? " I have test data for my KPA500 and it's very obvious that this amplifier has higher PA heat dissipation at half power than at full power. Not just less efficient as a percentage of power output but the

[Elecraft] KAT-500 Issue!

2022-05-20 Thread Andy Durbin
What mode is the KAT500 in when you power up and see the wrong antenna selected? What firmware version is loaded in your KAT500? There was a firmware defect that could cause the wrong antenna to be selected in BYP mode but it is fixed in the current firmware. I seem to remember there was a

Re: [Elecraft] KAT-500 Issue!

2022-05-20 Thread Andy Durbin
"I seem to remember there was a change for those wire links but don't have the details here." This discussion suggests there were two board configurations - one with both links on the same side of the board and the other with one link on each side. It's not clear when the change was made or

Re: [Elecraft] Antenna Quandary

2022-05-11 Thread Andy Durbin
"Anybody out there super-well versed in the behavior of the half-wave dipole?" There are only two possible answers: Yes No I speculate that, given the expertise of this group, "Yes" is the right answer. However, I have no clue how the answer to your question will be useful to you. I suppose

[Elecraft] COM port problems

2022-07-01 Thread Andy Durbin
"These is nothing unique about the Elecraft serial cable except possibly the radio side connector. Basically it's a USB to RS232 Ground/transmit/Receive cable." I think you may find that some Elecraft serial cables use TTL levels and are not RS-232 compliant. Doesn't matter if used for

[Elecraft] COM port problems

2022-07-01 Thread Andy Durbin
"I cannot find that "something."" That something is likely Microsoft Windows. I declined Win 10 and never regretted that decision. It seems Win 11 is even worse than Win 10. My station computer in Win 8.1 64 bit. It never changes COM port assignments. I have other XP Sp3 computers that

[Elecraft] KPA500

2022-07-08 Thread Andy Durbin
Building the kit is not difficult is you have basic mechanical skills. There are LOTS of screws. I suggest laying out the parts and making a full inventory before starting. Elecraft has used various torroidal main transformers. The one that came with my kit had almost zero clearance. I used

[Elecraft] Field Day and FT-8

2022-06-26 Thread Andy Durbin
I have operated WSJT-X modes for many years HF-6 meters. I'm in a very large metro area with lots of active FT-8 users. I have learned that stations with perfect signals on the HF bands can show all sort of artifacts on 6 meters. For many of these stations it is not because the signals are

[Elecraft] IMD of MOSFETs vs. bipolar

2022-06-29 Thread Andy Durbin
"The result is that it's very difficult to cause overdrive and splatter with a K4, even if you try to do it intentionally." Same is true for the much older Kenwood TS-590S. I have tried several times to produce dirty signals to illustrate digital modes presentations. I have never been able

[Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage range?

2022-07-06 Thread Andy Durbin
"My kpa500 has the taps set to provide 71-72 VDC no load and drops to 60 at 500 watts." Do you know how your house line input voltage varies? Mine can be as high as 122 and as low as 118 and the local transformer is less than 50 ft from my house. I see unloaded KPA500 voltage over 80 with

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage range?

2022-07-06 Thread Andy Durbin
"I don't remember the AC, can check it later, but think its 231-232." Your use of nominal 240 would explain why your HV sag is a lot less than mine. I have always run my KPA500 on 120. Maybe someone who uses nominal 240 would provide their typical loaded and unloaded HV values. Andy, k3wyc

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage range?

2022-07-06 Thread Andy Durbin
"I though Elecraft wanted HV to be kept at or above 60 to avoid unacceptable IMD. No sure where I found that but don't think I imagined it. " The problem with making measurements is that one may not like the results. It's a nice warm afternoon here in Glendale AZ and I expect every air

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage range?

2022-07-06 Thread Andy Durbin
"Seems a little low, but it's happy." I though Elecraft wanted HV to be kept at or above 60 to avoid unacceptable IMD. No sure where I found that but don't think I imagined it. Anyone have a reference? Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] KPA1500 reduces power as it gets warmer?

2022-06-06 Thread Andy Durbin
"You should be running fans full-speed under those conditions if you want it to live long! " Please share any data you have that supports any claim than running continuous full fan on any Elecraft amplifier has any advantage over letting the firmware control the fans based on PA temperature.

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 / 270V ERR

2022-07-19 Thread Andy Durbin
"He tells me that a failed R16 on the power supply board should have no effect on the 60V supply, ." No, of course it won't. It will only prevent 270 V being produced if 60 V is present. The amplifier is heavy and will be expensive to ship. Why not diagnose the problem and just fix

[Elecraft] Oh Crap

2022-07-18 Thread Andy Durbin
I doubt you will see anything useful if you open the rig. Multi contact jacks are usually closed assemblies not like the open contact types we used years ago. There have been discussions of broken plug tips in Kenwood and Elecraft group. There seem to be two solutions. Either change the

[Elecraft] Using the K3s Tune button causes a growing SWR on my KPA500

2022-07-17 Thread Andy Durbin
Don't need to have ferrite in the antenna system to see this sort of SWR "runaway". I have the same problem with my home brew small transmitting loop if I run over 100 W. Spent some time trying to figure out what was heating and causing the loop's resonant frequency to shift. My preliminary

[Elecraft] Systematic error in spots as heard by K3

2022-07-28 Thread Andy Durbin
"If the spotter was using a rig without an adjustable sidetone, wouldn't the frequency they spot be dependent upon the tone they prefer to hear?" The spotted frequency should be the suppressed carrier frequency which is independent of the choice of tone frequency. Remember there are very few

Re: [Elecraft] Systematic error in spots as heard by K3

2022-07-29 Thread Andy Durbin
"k3wyc said: > ... The spotted frequency should be the suppressed carrier frequency ... I don't think so. Most modern CW rigs that I am aware of, including the K3, display the actual transmitted frequency on the dial, not the SSB suppressed carrier frequency." I agree. Kenwood TS-590 also

[Elecraft] KPA500 / 270V ERR

2022-07-17 Thread Andy Durbin
HV and 270V are separate power supply rails but, if my read of the schematic is correct, 270 V depends on 60 V being present. 60 V requires the interlock switch to be closed. Diagnosing this may require having the top off and the interlock defeated. Everyone should evaluate their own

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 / 270V ERR

2022-07-17 Thread Andy Durbin
"I think it may actually be the other way around... The 60V relay does not close if 270V is missing?" Assume 60 V Enable relay K1 is not closed. How would 270 V be produced? The secondary winding of T1 is open circuit. Andy, k3wyc

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 / 270V ERR

2022-07-17 Thread Andy Durbin
"If you check the schematics, the 270V is made/comes from the power supply...BUT the 60V enable relay (feeds the voltage divider and read on the front panel) is on the PA board... " May I suggest that you look at KPA Power Supply Schematic sheet 1 of 2 and locate relay K1 (60 V Enable) which

[Elecraft] Field Day Report

2022-06-26 Thread Andy Durbin
"Still, that frenzied fun-house of robotic birdcalls did serve as a convenient marker for the end of each CW segment." Which bands have a CW segment? Did I miss a band plan change? Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home:

[Elecraft] I need some guidance - KAT500

2022-05-05 Thread Andy Durbin
One thing that you may not understand is that MAN with BYP active is the same electrically as BYP mode). I use all 3 ANT ports of my KAT500 and never used any KAT mode except MAN. Some of my antennas work fine in MAN/Byp and others require some help with L and/or C. All antenna switching is

Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

2022-08-24 Thread Andy Durbin
"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

[Elecraft] KPA500 No Output on 6m

2022-09-04 Thread Andy Durbin
Is the KPA500 being keyed on 6 m? (Does the asterisk appear in the KPA500 display?) Some rigs, such as the Kenwood TS-590, require the keying output to be specified separately for 6 m than for the HF bands. Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft

Re: [Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

2022-08-30 Thread Andy Durbin
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:

[Elecraft] Problem with KAT500 firmware v. 2.05

2022-08-24 Thread Andy Durbin
"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.

[Elecraft] KPA500 Parts

2022-08-17 Thread Andy Durbin
"The latest revision of the schematic for the KPA500 TR Switch shows a Zener diode at the gate of Q4 in place of R3, the 100K resistor previously." What is the latest revision? I have Rev D which is later than any I have found on-line but it shows R3 not a Zener. Andy, k3wyc

[Elecraft] KPA1500 repair times

2022-08-02 Thread Andy Durbin
"(hope yours is cheaper than mine.replaced finals..$733 including shipping back to me!)" How did you manage to blow the finals? Are the internal protections of the KPA1500 inadequate in some way? It took quite a bit of testing for me to find out why my KPA500 being shut down when it was

[Elecraft] KAT-500 tuner antenna switching

2022-11-15 Thread Andy Durbin
"And what I am finding is that the tuner switch can only identify the two and not the third one. Any recommendations on where I should begin to sort this out?" ANT availability for selection can be configured by band. Connect the KT500 utility and use it to set your antenna configuration

[Elecraft] KPA500 Shifting Bands without any change in K3 Frequency

2022-11-15 Thread Andy Durbin
"It can't be solved. The SSB and/or Data at that AF MARS frequency  is just slightly below the band pass filter change over to the 5.3 bandpass filter on the KPA500. That means that when you are on SSB, part of your rf envelope crosses over to the 5.3 band filter which causes the amp to switch to

[Elecraft] KPA500 repair

2023-01-28 Thread Andy Durbin
Well that's an interesting failure report. I don't see any obvious single factor except for overheating of the entire PA module. Was the fan functioning normally, air vents clear, and external airflow unobstructed? "Capton tape on the "S" bracket is interesting. Did they mean "Kapton tape on

[Elecraft] VFO Tuning Choices

2022-11-05 Thread Andy Durbin
"The Adobe Reader “Find” box doesn’t recognize all caps. " Yes it does but you have to specify whether the search text is case sensitive or not. Click the "gear" icon. Better yet, used the advanced search function. Andy, k3wyc __

[Elecraft] KPA500 Voltage?

2022-11-13 Thread Andy Durbin
"My KPA500 is showing 57-58 VDC at 450-500 watts out, and 71-72 VDC on rx." That's a much smaller spread than I see with my KPA500. Are you powering from 240 VAC or 120 VAC? Running on nominal 120 VAC I have my RX PA volts currently reading 81.8 and it still sometimes sags just below 60 V on

[Elecraft] [K3] Looking for WSJT-X Rig Control advice

2023-02-24 Thread Andy Durbin
CAT allows true rig split or "fake it" modes of WSJT-X. In either case the modulation frequency is limited to the range 1,500 to 2,000 Hz and any audio harmonics fall outside the TX passband of most transceivers. CAT and the WSJT-X split modes do not prevent generation of audio harmonics but

Re: [Elecraft] [K3] Looking for WSJT-X Rig Control advice

2023-02-24 Thread Andy Durbin
It doesn't matter how many "sound cards" are in the system. What does matter is that the one assigned to digital modes is not also assigned as the system "default" device. It is easy to get this wrong even when two or more "sound cards" are available. I think you guys may be assuming

[Elecraft] KAT500: Not remembering antenna configuration

2023-04-12 Thread Andy Durbin
"The specific problem I have is that, for 6 meters, I want to use ANT 2 but the KAT500 is not letting me change from ANT 3. And while I am not using ANT 1, I’m not able to configure a band/antenna combination such that I can only switch between ANT 2 and ANT 3. " I works correctly for me

Re: [Elecraft] Field Day Operation

2023-07-08 Thread Andy Durbin
"but I guarantee that it can be easily done with a TS-590S as well. You just didn't do it right." Ok, please tell me how to do that. Specific settings please from a test that you actually ran with a TS-590S. My tests had all audio drive sliders to max and ALC meter hard on the stop. Clean

[Elecraft] Field Day Operation

2023-07-08 Thread Andy Durbin
Just a few comments on dirty signals and the rigs that can, if badly adjusted, produce them. I've been using a Kenwood TS-590S for about 10 years. I was asked to give a couple of digital modes presentations to the local club . I was seeing so many foul JT65, and now FT8 signals, that I

[Elecraft] KPA500 gain variation with serial number

2023-07-20 Thread Andy Durbin
I have been told that the gain of the KPA500 has increased over the years it has been produced. "Early" KPA500 are reported to need 35-39 W to produce 500 W out. "Later" KPA500 are reported to need only 20-25 W for full output. The difference in gain has been attributed to difference in the

[Elecraft] Aircraft Doppler shift

2023-07-23 Thread Andy Durbin
"Doppler caused "spreading" is readily identified ... the spreading is generally in one direction (because airport "patterns" run in one direction) and often manifests as a second signal offset by 60-80 Hz (which can be independently decoded). IMD is generally in both directions and can not be

Re: [Elecraft] Aircraft Doppler shift

2023-07-26 Thread Andy Durbin
"I'd like to share the referenced image but that doesn't seem to be possible here." Dropbox link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/vb18znyn9j0ilmh/6%20m%20doppler%20-2%20snip.PNG?dl=0 Andy, k3wyc __ Elecraft mailing list Home:

Re: [Elecraft] Aircraft Doppler shift

2023-07-26 Thread Andy Durbin
"If my calculations are correct an aircraft would have to be moving at 700 kts to give a Doppler shift of 60 Hz. Metro area airports are usual in Class B airspace with a speed limit of 250 kts. Maximum speed on the BRUSR ONE is 250 kts reducing to 210 kts as they pass my house. At 250 kts

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 gain variation with serial number

2023-07-26 Thread Andy Durbin
I now have data for nine KPA500 with serial numbers ranging from 11x to 478x (exact serial number intentionally obscured). Thanks to everyone who contributed. The data show no significant increase in gain from the earliest to the latest serial numbers. However, the data do seem to suggest

[Elecraft] K3 Power-hunting on FT8

2023-07-23 Thread Andy Durbin
"Clean FT8 spectra is badly needed, especially in metro areas at 10 meters and above, where many poor quality FT8 signals abound and wipe out many of the weaker stations that other stations are trying to receive. Yes, there are suggestions that folks in the same area all transmit at the same

Re: [Elecraft] KPA500 gain variation with serial number

2023-07-21 Thread Andy Durbin
Thanks to all those who have submitted test data. I shall need more to have any hope of seeing a correlation so please keep it coming. Requested data: Serial number; frequency; drive power; output power (target 500 W); PA voltage (front panel HV); PA current (front panel CUR); power

[Elecraft] K3 Power-hunting on FT8

2023-07-21 Thread Andy Durbin
"It will remain as clean as the audio, up to the point the ALC begins to kick in; then it goes bad like any other radio. That’s the fault of ALC, not the radio." What goes bad? Nothing goes bad for a Kenwood TS-590S when drive level moves into the ALC closed loop control range. Remember

[Elecraft] KAT 500 Antenna Selection Problems

2023-08-09 Thread Andy Durbin
"The problem I am having is: with radio on 17 M, when I run a “tune” sequence, the KAT does not switch to Ant 3, in fact it will not let me manually switch to ant 3. I occasionally have the same issue with the tuner not switching on other bands, to the selected antenna as set up in the utility.

[Elecraft] k3 Mic gain self resetting to 1

2023-06-17 Thread Andy Durbin
Since you use DXLab I'd suggest checking Commander's "User-defined Controls" configuration. Is there a slider for Mic gain? If so, is it configured to "Initialize radio"? In Commander click "Help" then select "sliders" for more info. Andy, k3wyc

[Elecraft] KPA500 Fan Question

2023-05-16 Thread Andy Durbin
"The issue: The fan comes on in a very short time - less than 20 seconds - and the temp display runs up to 50+ degrees. If I start calling CQ or get into a QSO, it doesn’t take long for the temp to show over 60 degrees and the fan is running at max." Max fan speed of a KPA500 is setting 6.

Re: [Elecraft] KAT500 Sleep current?

2023-12-10 Thread Andy Durbin
"Anyone interested in the current draw for Sleep and Off (but powered) states could simply put a multimeter in the PSU lead. I would expect a difference in current between Off and Sleep that would depend strongly on the number of tuning relays that were active while sleeping. No relays are

[Elecraft] KAT-500 Utility / Unable to Edit Config

2023-12-28 Thread Andy Durbin
I was running ver 1.21.10.8 and the edit threshold function appears to work correctly. I installed 1.23.9.8 and found all thresholds were blank (current values not displayed) and could not be edited. Utility ver 1.23.9.8 seems to be broken. I suggest running 1.21.10.8. Email me if you don't

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