"Do you have a K-Pod button programmed to do all this?"
No, it's code in an Arduino Mega 256 than sequences a couple of state machines.
One state machine controls putting KAT500 in full search tune, powering the
exciter, waiting for completion of auto tune, returning exciter to RX mode.
The
"I see some people are using HDSDR software - I did try installing that, but it
insists on using OmniRig v2, whereas my Logging program (Log4OM) and WSJT-X use
OmniRig v1.1 and I'm not sure I can make the swap to Omnirig 2."
I use an RSP with OmniRig 1.20 and HDSDR 2.76a. Support for OmniRig 1
"Presumably it has some very sophisticated detection that can tell if a
frequency is in use?"
My auto trainer function is only used on 160 m and 80 m and only during the day
when I expect the bands to be dead and as confirmed by the panadapter. It
doesn't need a detection system any more
"Off" and "sleep" are not the same states. Also "Off" is not the same state as
"not powered".
"PS Power on/off
GET format: PS;
SET/RESPONSE format: PS0; or PS1;
Turns the KAT500 ON (PS1;) or OFF (PS0;).
The KAT500’s microcontroller operates whenever DC power is applied. LEDs and
relays are off
"> How does your KAT500 know what frequency to use? Does it have a serial data
interface or does it depend only on the internal RF counter?
>
W7BRS> AUX cable between K3 to KAT-500 and KAT-500 to KPA-500. They are in
serial communication per Elecraft protcol(s), whatever those are.
> What
"Actual Results: The ATU-500 clicks between Bypass and MAN (by "clicks", I mean
only what I can infer from the behavior -- it is as if the ATU-500 is either
using the memory-based ATU settings of the previously tuned settings and
switching between that and what seems like a Bypass mode) -- the
"AFAICR the manual says that if an AUX cable is connected between the KAT500
and the radio, the KAT500 will follow any frequency/band change and if a tuning
solution has already been stored for that frequency/band it will be employed
before the radio goes into TX. In other words, whilst the
"One thing I forgot. The KAT500 should only be in AUTO mode when you’re
actually training it."
Training a KAT500 does not require it to be in AUTO mode. I NEVER put my
KAT500 in AUTO mode and I can auto train a complete band with one button push.
Andy, k3wyc
I don't have the same equipment as you but I experienced a very similar problem
that I initially thought was caused by a problem with my KPA500.However,
when I looked at the output of my TS-590S with a scope and spectrum analyzer,
I found that it was emitting out of band spurii at the end
"My Winkeyer has settings for both lead and tail time, and so does N1MM+.
WSJT-X does not appear to have these variables."
WSJT-X has provision for changing the delay between assertion CAT PTT and onset
of audio (settings/advanced/miscellaneous). The delay between end of audio and
CAT PTT
"Indeed, it is NOT true that the KAT500 uses TTL signal levels for the serial
port. "
Ah, but I said "Isn't it true that the KAT500 USB cable uses RS-232 protocol
but TTL signal levels? " Perhaps I should have been more specific. My
recollection is that the USB/Serial cable transmits a TTL
"Yes. At the point for the extension, the signals are RS-232, not USB. You
should be able to use a much longer cable if need-be."
Isn't it true that the KAT500 USB cable uses RS-232 protocol but TTL signal
levels? TTL may not be as tolerant of length extension as true RS-232.
Certainly no
Scope traces for a typical KAT500 serial data interface can be found here -
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ypk0ks16rl03d55ugm4t9/KAT500-signal-levels.pdf?rlkey=7iahis4xp0jnua3c8s577cxjq=0
I can also confirm that KAT500 works just fine when interfaced with a genuine
MAX 3232 RS-232 line driver.
"Scope traces for a typical KAT500 serial data interface can be found here -
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ypk0ks16rl03d55ugm4t9/KAT500-signal-levels.pdf?rlkey=7iahis4xp0jnua3c8s577cxjq=0;
The depicted voltage levels for KAT500 driving the KXUSB were not typical. In
my station the KAT500
KAT500 Key In and Key Out RCA jacks are linked by a relay contact but connect
to nothing else. It doesn't make any difference which is In and which is Out,
but I agree the documentation should be consistent.
Andy, k3wyc
__
Elecraft
Now available for download. Includes bug fixes for tune hangup and Kenwood
memory channel frequency.
https://elecraft.com/pages/kat500-fully-automatic-tuner-firmware-and-utility
73,
Andy, k3wyc
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Elecraft mailing list
Home:
I have a new power oscillation problem that is manifest only on 40 m when using
an attic dipole. Basic station configuration is Kenwood TS-590S, KAT500,
KPA500. As drive power is slowly increased and output power rises above about
100 W the power output falls to zero then slowly rises again.
Thanks to those that replied with suggestions.
This morning I ran some additional testing. I found I could induce the
oscillation at 70 W KPA500 output power. With KPA500 switched to STBY I could
run 100 W from my TS-590S with no anomalies. The only change in the antenna
system
"Perhaps check and see if the drive from the TS-590s is varying, or if the gain
of the KPA500 is changing. What does the output meter on the 590 say when this
happens?"
TS-590S power meter does not change nor does TS-590S indicated SWR. However, I
did find that TS-590S ALC reading is cycling.
"I should be able to fix the problem with better decoupling and/or choking of
the breakout box connections."
Problem fixed by adding a 0.01 disc ceramic caps on each of the 4 RCA keyline
jacks on the breakout box. I should have included them when I built it.
Interesting problem though and all
I found that the power for onset of oscillation is strongly dependent on
frequency:
7.01 C0,L0, SIDE T - max no osc 108 W
7.02 C0, L710, SIDE T - max no osc 118 W
7.03 C0, L710, SIDE T - max no osc 129 W
7.10 C0, L710, SIDE T - max no osc 222 W
7.20 C47, L820, SIDE T - max no osc unknown
I followed up on the RFI theory and quickly found a solution to the problem.
My TS-590S has a homebrew breakout box on the REMOTE connector. This breakout
box provides key line level shift and key line interrupt for my SteppIR. The
TS-590S ALC control line is on this cable but is not
"Based on the release notes, I think this means that the Yaesu FTDX3000 (and
others) can operate in enhanced mode, like the Kenwood, with both frequency
and band data. Is that correct? If so, what kind of cabling is needed for the
Yaesu for enhanced mode? Can enhanced mode function if
"The KAT serial port is MONO, not STEREO, as I (not so quickly) discovered"
The plug has to connect data in, data out, and ground. That requires 3
contacts which cannot be done with a mono plug!
The KAT500 PC DATA port uses a STEREO plug.
Andy, k3wyc
You can re-post as many times as you like but this stone-age reflector will
discard any images you attempt to share.
One solution is the put the image file in drop box, or similar, and share the
link.
Andy, k3wyc
__
Elecraft mailing
"My KAT500 will no longer tune in AUTO mode on 20M and does not change to
prior stored settings in MAN mode. All other bands work as expected in
both modes. Any suggestions on where I should look first?"
Use the utility to check that KAT500 has tuned to your 20 m frequency. If it
has, then
"With the OPER light GREEN and slowly increasing the RF drive level to the amp,
there is a point where an internal relay 'click' can be heard, the 50-watt LED
on the top row of LEDs turns red and the FAULT light turns red."
All the KPA500 LED are single color. The 50 W LED is either lit green
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