[Elecraft] Need help operating K3 with Yaesu Quadra amplifier

[jpk5lad at cox.net]

I'm trying to find the correct sequence of steps to make 
sure my new Quadra amplifier is correctly adjusted to my 
K3.  I have it hooked through the Band-Data1 8-pin cable 
and the Quadra does change bands correctly as it tracks 
the K3.  The Quadra also switches to the correctly 
programmed input and/or output spigots.  All that is fine.

Taken from the Quadra Operating Manual, "Drive power 
must be at least 50 watts for accurate SWR detection, 
and 70 to 80 watts for optimum tuner performance."

The problem is primarily in keying the K3 properly to allow 
the Quadra's antenna tuner to adjust properly.  The 
Quadra requires 70-80 watts to tune correctly so I need to 
key the K3 with the TUNE button which puts out 5 watts 
as it's set up. (I realize that I could reset the TUNE output 
to start at a higher rate but surely that's not the best way)  
Otherwise, I must press TUNE, crank the PWR knob from 
the 5 watts up to 70-80 watts, then press the TUNE button 
on the Quadra but the amplifier keys for about a second 
as the tuner starts to tune, then drops out, displaying the
message "ERROR" on the display.  Now I'm back to 5 
watts on the K3 again so after pressing the K3's TUNE 
button again I must crank on the PWR knob again (which 
is about 4 full revolutions).  For as many times as I try 
this, the K3 will not stay keyed up long enough for the 
Quadra to tune the antenna.  BTW - I don't see any error 
messages from the K3 during this time.

Using the same amplifier but with my IC-756PRO as a 
driver [in RTTY mode at about 70 watts -- with no physical 
connections for band changing]  it reads the 
frequency/band and automatically changes bands and I 
can press the Quadra's TUNE button and it tunes up 
perfectly.  Quickly, painlessly and correctly -- one easy
operation which takes, at most, about 5 seconds.

Realizing that all is normal with the Quadra, tuner and 
antenna I switch the input of the Quadra back to the K3 
(which changes the PTT, ALC and RF input lines), then I 
try the K3 TUNE again.  I crank up the PWR knob from 5 
watts to 70-80 watts, press the Quadra's TUNE button but 
I see the same thing:  it trys to tune for about a second, 
then drops back with the "ERROR" message.  The K3 just 
doesn't seem to want to stay in TUNE mode (which is 
displaying CW) until the amplifier tuner can complete its 
job. [It's not because it got tuned up properly with the 
PRO as the Quadra will always reinitiate a tune when so 
instructed with the TUNE button]  

I've read everything I can find on hooking up the Quadra, 
both to the K3 and to other transceivers.  There's LOTS of 
excellent documentation out there and I appreciate all the 
work from those folks.  I'm relatively sure that my hookup 
between the two is fine.

I guess what I'm asking is -- What are the steps used by 
other K3/Quadra users to change a band and make sure 
the Quadra's tuner is properly tuned.   What am I missing 
to keep the K3 transmitting until the Quadra can complete 
its tune operation?  It's just so easy with the PRO and so 
hard with the K3, but perhaps it's something I'm 
overlooking or doing incorrectly (<-- major possibility)

BTW - The Quadra will memorize the tuning positions for 
various frequencies for different antennas so I guess I 
could let the IC-756PRO to do all the set up but I'm trying 
to wean myself away from the 756PRO and do everything 
on my K3.  The K3 shines in SO MANY places, it just 
should be able to be easy here too.

Also, last week on the 
YAESUQUADRA at yahoogroups.com, a fellow presented 
a wonderful document listing, for someone else, on the 
steps to tune up the Quadra to a couple of different
transceivers.  It looked so neat and I thought it was 
exactly what I needed.  Unfortunately, it did not work for 
my K3/Quadra combination............. rats!

Sorry for the long note but is there any hope for me?  ....... 
let me re-phrase that ---- is there any HELP for me?

Thanks and 73,
Jim - K5LAD



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